Wednesday, January 04, 2006
And The Midseason Awards Go To...
Martin from Hockey Dirt has asked us hockey bloggers to hand out some midseason awards. Here are mine:
Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player): Jaromir Jagr, New York Rangers
Quite simply, Jaromir Jagr has been the biggest reason for the New York Rangers' success this season. The lockout seemed to re-energize him and his 61 points (25G-36A, 39 GP) leads all NHL scorers. And his most telling stat? The Rangers have won 20 of 31 games in which Jagr has recorded a point, and only 2 of 8 games in which he hasn't.
Norris Trophy (Top Defenceman): Wade Redden, Ottawa Senators
I don't think there is a better all-around defenseman in the league right now than Wade Redden. On an Ottawa Senators team that leads the NHL in plus-minus, Redden has a +21 rating while averaging 24:35 minutes of ice-time per game. And despite missing ten games to injury, Redden continues to lead the team's defensemen in scoring with 31 points (7G-24A) in 27 games.
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames
Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin haven't disappointed, but my vote goes to Dion Phaneuf. Phaenuf not only plays a harder position (defense), he also looks like he's been playing it for ten years. He's big and tough and has a nice offensive touch - think Todd Bertuzzi on defense. He leads a first-place Calgary Flames team in defensemen scoring (9-14-23, +2) while averaging a whopping 21:26 minutes of ice-time per game.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender): Mikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames and Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators
This is a toss-up between Mikka Kiprusoff and Tomas Vokoun. Both are at or near the top of most goalie stats categories, and aided by very good defenses, have led the Flames and Predators, respectively, to the top of their divisions. Kiprusoff also already has five shutouts this season.
Lady Byng (Sportsmanship and Gentlemanly Conduct): Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators
To be honest, I've never understood how they pick the Lady Byng winner every year, except that it's usually someone who has scored a lot and not taken a lot of penalties. On that basis, my vote goes to Daniel Alfredsson; the Senators' captain has 55 points (25G-30A) and only 16 PIM.
Frank Selke (Outstanding Defensive Forward): Rod Brind'amour, Carolina Hurricanes
When the game is on the line, Rob Brind'amour will most certainly be on the ice for the Carolina Hurricanes. At 35 years of age, Brind'amour is experiencing a career season. After 37 games, he's already recorded 33 points (16G-17A), close to matching his point totals for the entire 2003/2004 season (16-22-38 points in 78 games). He also leads the league in faceoff wins and average ice-time among forwards (24:13 minutes/game).
Jack Adams (Coach of the Year): Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators
Besides Tomas Vokoun, Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan, the Nashville Predators are comprised of mostly relatively-unknown players, including underrated defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Kimmo Timmonen, yet Barry Trotz has squeezed the most out of his roster, has them playing a scrappy game for 60 minutes, and has managed to guide them near the top of the Western Conference.
Comeback Player of the Year: Dominic Hasek, Ottawa Senators and Mike Modano, Dallas Stars
After an injury-filled 2003/2004 season in which he only played in 14 games, 40-year old Dominik Hasek has had a great start to the 2005/2006 season. He currently sits second among NHL goaltenders in wins (19), shutouts (3), GAA (2.10) and SV% (.929).
Mike Modano, coming off the worst season of his career that was also amidst some personal problems, is also enjoying a nice comeback season. In 76 games in the 2003/2004 season, Modano only recorded 44 points (14G-30A) and a -21 rating; in 38 games so far this season, he has already recorded 39 points (15G-24A) and a +18 rating.
Jerk of the Year: Sean Avery, Los Angeles Kings
Hands down, finger up winner.
Tough Guy of the Year: Brian McGrattan, Ottawa Senators
Brian McGrattan is the one, big 6'5", 238 pound reason why Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson skate with all that open ice and don't get picked on.
Flop of the Year: Patrick Lalime, Peoria Rivermen (AHL)
From the penthouse in Ottawa to the doghouse in Ottawa to the doghouse in St. Louis and finally to the doghouse in Peoria.
Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player): Jaromir Jagr, New York Rangers
Quite simply, Jaromir Jagr has been the biggest reason for the New York Rangers' success this season. The lockout seemed to re-energize him and his 61 points (25G-36A, 39 GP) leads all NHL scorers. And his most telling stat? The Rangers have won 20 of 31 games in which Jagr has recorded a point, and only 2 of 8 games in which he hasn't. Norris Trophy (Top Defenceman): Wade Redden, Ottawa Senators
I don't think there is a better all-around defenseman in the league right now than Wade Redden. On an Ottawa Senators team that leads the NHL in plus-minus, Redden has a +21 rating while averaging 24:35 minutes of ice-time per game. And despite missing ten games to injury, Redden continues to lead the team's defensemen in scoring with 31 points (7G-24A) in 27 games.
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames
Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin haven't disappointed, but my vote goes to Dion Phaneuf. Phaenuf not only plays a harder position (defense), he also looks like he's been playing it for ten years. He's big and tough and has a nice offensive touch - think Todd Bertuzzi on defense. He leads a first-place Calgary Flames team in defensemen scoring (9-14-23, +2) while averaging a whopping 21:26 minutes of ice-time per game.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender): Mikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames and Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators
This is a toss-up between Mikka Kiprusoff and Tomas Vokoun. Both are at or near the top of most goalie stats categories, and aided by very good defenses, have led the Flames and Predators, respectively, to the top of their divisions. Kiprusoff also already has five shutouts this season.Lady Byng (Sportsmanship and Gentlemanly Conduct): Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators
To be honest, I've never understood how they pick the Lady Byng winner every year, except that it's usually someone who has scored a lot and not taken a lot of penalties. On that basis, my vote goes to Daniel Alfredsson; the Senators' captain has 55 points (25G-30A) and only 16 PIM.
Frank Selke (Outstanding Defensive Forward): Rod Brind'amour, Carolina Hurricanes
When the game is on the line, Rob Brind'amour will most certainly be on the ice for the Carolina Hurricanes. At 35 years of age, Brind'amour is experiencing a career season. After 37 games, he's already recorded 33 points (16G-17A), close to matching his point totals for the entire 2003/2004 season (16-22-38 points in 78 games). He also leads the league in faceoff wins and average ice-time among forwards (24:13 minutes/game).
Jack Adams (Coach of the Year): Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators
Besides Tomas Vokoun, Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan, the Nashville Predators are comprised of mostly relatively-unknown players, including underrated defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Kimmo Timmonen, yet Barry Trotz has squeezed the most out of his roster, has them playing a scrappy game for 60 minutes, and has managed to guide them near the top of the Western Conference.
Comeback Player of the Year: Dominic Hasek, Ottawa Senators and Mike Modano, Dallas Stars
After an injury-filled 2003/2004 season in which he only played in 14 games, 40-year old Dominik Hasek has had a great start to the 2005/2006 season. He currently sits second among NHL goaltenders in wins (19), shutouts (3), GAA (2.10) and SV% (.929).
Mike Modano, coming off the worst season of his career that was also amidst some personal problems, is also enjoying a nice comeback season. In 76 games in the 2003/2004 season, Modano only recorded 44 points (14G-30A) and a -21 rating; in 38 games so far this season, he has already recorded 39 points (15G-24A) and a +18 rating.
Jerk of the Year: Sean Avery, Los Angeles Kings
Hands down, finger up winner.
Tough Guy of the Year: Brian McGrattan, Ottawa Senators
Brian McGrattan is the one, big 6'5", 238 pound reason why Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson skate with all that open ice and don't get picked on.
Flop of the Year: Patrick Lalime, Peoria Rivermen (AHL)
From the penthouse in Ottawa to the doghouse in Ottawa to the doghouse in St. Louis and finally to the doghouse in Peoria.
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