NHL Awards Prediction

I hate work!!!! As a result of work, I have to turn down an offer to attend the 2007 NHL Awards Ceremony held at the Elgin Theatre on June 14th.

Onwards with the prediction.

Hart Memorial Trophy - Team MVP

Sidney Crosby - Winner
Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo

Sid the kid came back from his rookie season to put up even better numbers to lead his team to the playoffs. Even better is that he did it as a 19 year-old.

Vezina Trophy - Best Goalkeeper

Martin Brodeur
Miikka Kiprusoff
Henrik Lundqvist
Roberto Luongo - Winner

Pretty disgusting that Brodeur will be shut out with awards in a season where he put up career best (and league record) in wins, and led the NHL in shutouts. But Luongo turned the Canucks around single-handedly, and I believe the sports-writers who voted on this award will probably give the award to Luongo based on the fact that Canucks would not have the record they have without Luongo.

Calder Memorial Trophy - Best Rookie

Evgeni Malkin - Winner
Jordan Staal
Paul Stastny

Nothing again Stastny, but like Crosby, just bad timing. Malkin lived up to the pre-season hype much like Crosby did just a year ago. Malkin is pretty much the run-away winner for this award. Jordan Staal was simply amazing doing what he did as a 18 year-old this season, but he is a distant third IMO.

James Norris Memorial Trophy - Best Defenceman

Nicklas Lidstrom - Winner
Scott Niedermayer
Chris Pronger

Probably the hardest award to pick a winner for this year. Nick Lidstrom was simply amazing in leading the Wings to win their division the year after Yzerman and Shanahan left the team. It just seems like every year the same 3-4 players are nominated for this award. With the voting taking place before the playoffs, I think its down to Pronger and Lidstrom. Pronger and Lidstrom had similar stats, but Pronger played 10 or so less games. I am going to lean towards Lidstrom, simply because he inherited the C from Yzerman, and carried it to a division champion. Pronger is going to be a very close second, but the overall voting will be VERY close between all 3 finalists.

Jack Adams Trophy - Best Coach

Lindy Ruff
Michel Therrien - Winner
Alain Vigneault


Like the Vezina, the coach with the best stats will not win this award. Lindy Ruff won this award last year simply because no one expected the Sabres to achieve the level that they did. And this year, Michel Therrien will win the award simply because Pittsburgh over-achieved, or performed beyond expectation. While Therrien will win the trophy, Ruff will be a runner-up despite leading the Sabres to a President Cup winning year.

Lester B. Pearson - Best player as voted by players

Sidney Crosby - Winner
Vincent Lecavalier
Roberto Luongo

Hard to go against Crosby for everything he did this year, both personal stats and team wise. But for some reason I have this gut feeling that it might go to Lacavalier or Luongo.