2007 NHL Awards - Predictions
I do predictions for this stuff too! I know most of my friends list either doesn't know or could care less, but here's what I think will happen this year.
CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY (outstanding rookie):
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins
Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche.
Should Win: Jordan Staal
Will Win: Evgeni Malkin
Staal will be a much better player as his career goes on, yet everyone will remember Malkin as "the guy that was supposed to be the best this year", even though I think Staal was more helpful to the Penguins. So Malkin wins due to name recognition, with Staal getting the consolation prize. Stastny is excellent though - and why no Anze Kopitar? I was actually pulling for him since the season opened this year.
FRANK J. SELKE TROPHY (outstanding defensive forward):
Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes
Samuel Pahlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Jay Pandolfo, New Jersey Devils.
Should Win: Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes
Will Win: Samuel Pahlsson, Anaheim Ducks
This is a tough one for me to pick every year. I picked Pahlsson to win because they made the playoffs and are considered a cup contender (without a wall like Brodeur in net, which would exclude any Devils players) and the cup-winning Hurricanes didn't even make the playoffs this year. (How very, very sad...)
HART MEMORIAL TROPHY (most valuable player to his team):
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Should Win: Roberto Luongo
Will Win: Sidney Crosby
In all honesty, this is the toughest one to pick. Hell, I'm surprised that Vincent Lecavalier isn't on the list as well, cuz he was on FIRE this year, and helped pull Tampa out of shambles around Christmas. Ultimately though, I eliminate Brodeur from this equation cuz without him, the Devils are still a solid defensive team, I eliminate Crosby because he has a good young supporting cast, and that leaves Luongo and his cast of nobodies, which would NOT have made the playoffs without him in net. Of course, everyone will still look at Crosby's point totals and pick him. He IS deserving but I still think Luongo is a bit better when you take into account what happened this year.
JACK ADAMS AWARD (outstanding coach):
Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres
Michel Therrien, Pittsburgh Penguins
Alain Vigneault, Vancouver Canucks
Should Win: Alain Vigneault
Will Win: Lindy Ruff
Everyone will likely overlook my pick because they think it's all Luongo in Vancouver, and everyone else rode his back all season - and to a point, they'd be right. But looking at the monumental mood change on the team with Vigneault (and not Crawford) on the team this year, and how everyone gelled and played as a team (instead of just individuals) he's definitely a candidate. Lindy Ruff will win based on the same reasons, though - he just has a better cast and they achieved greater feats. (I would disagree with him though, only because he did something similar last year.)
Therrien is only there cuz Pittsburgh came out of nowhere this year and earned 47 more points than last year. Fair enough, but I think that was due to excellent young players moreso than actual coaching. I saw him in Montreal years back and I know he's not Jack Adams material - he's average.
JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY (outstanding defenseman):
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks
Chris Pronger, Anaheim Ducks.
Should Win: Scott Niedermeyer
Will Win: Scott Niedermeyer
Call this one a hunch. He's the #1 D in Anaheim so that overtakes Pronger, and I just have a feeling about the Ducks this year. Any of the three are deserving though, so this is basically a pick 'em.
LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct):
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
Martin St. Louis , Tampa Bay Lightning.
Should Win: Joe Sakic
Will Win: Joe Sakic
This is always Joe Sakic's to lose, isn't it?
LESTER B. PEARSON AWARD (most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA):
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Should Win: Roberto Luongo
Will Win: Roberto Luongo
Who's tougher to play against? I think most would suggest a goalie here, despite how awesome Vinny and Sidney are...so I think this is the one Luongo will have a lock on. The only team he faced more than once in the regular season but didn't beat was Anaheim - until the playoffs. It's easier to shut down a forward than score a goal, right? When you're on the ice playing with these people, I think that's how you'd look at it.
VEZINA TROPHY (outstanding goaltender):
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Should Win: Roberto Luongo
Will Win: Martin Brodeur
Throw Lundqvist and Kiprusoff out of the equation - as great a season as they both had, they aren't in the same league as Brodeur and Luongo, who I always thought were the best two goalies in the league from the get-go this season. I picked Luongo because he didn't have the same quality teammates that Brodeur had - but I think for a lot of people, they'll look at Brodeur's numbers, which are just a smidge better than Luongo. This is basically a pick 'em between the two, but Marty will win.
-Tim
CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY (outstanding rookie):
Should Win: Jordan Staal
Will Win: Evgeni Malkin
Staal will be a much better player as his career goes on, yet everyone will remember Malkin as "the guy that was supposed to be the best this year", even though I think Staal was more helpful to the Penguins. So Malkin wins due to name recognition, with Staal getting the consolation prize. Stastny is excellent though - and why no Anze Kopitar? I was actually pulling for him since the season opened this year.
FRANK J. SELKE TROPHY (outstanding defensive forward):
Should Win: Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes
Will Win: Samuel Pahlsson, Anaheim Ducks
This is a tough one for me to pick every year. I picked Pahlsson to win because they made the playoffs and are considered a cup contender (without a wall like Brodeur in net, which would exclude any Devils players) and the cup-winning Hurricanes didn't even make the playoffs this year. (How very, very sad...)
HART MEMORIAL TROPHY (most valuable player to his team):
Should Win: Roberto Luongo
Will Win: Sidney Crosby
In all honesty, this is the toughest one to pick. Hell, I'm surprised that Vincent Lecavalier isn't on the list as well, cuz he was on FIRE this year, and helped pull Tampa out of shambles around Christmas. Ultimately though, I eliminate Brodeur from this equation cuz without him, the Devils are still a solid defensive team, I eliminate Crosby because he has a good young supporting cast, and that leaves Luongo and his cast of nobodies, which would NOT have made the playoffs without him in net. Of course, everyone will still look at Crosby's point totals and pick him. He IS deserving but I still think Luongo is a bit better when you take into account what happened this year.
JACK ADAMS AWARD (outstanding coach):
Should Win: Alain Vigneault
Will Win: Lindy Ruff
Everyone will likely overlook my pick because they think it's all Luongo in Vancouver, and everyone else rode his back all season - and to a point, they'd be right. But looking at the monumental mood change on the team with Vigneault (and not Crawford) on the team this year, and how everyone gelled and played as a team (instead of just individuals) he's definitely a candidate. Lindy Ruff will win based on the same reasons, though - he just has a better cast and they achieved greater feats. (I would disagree with him though, only because he did something similar last year.)
Therrien is only there cuz Pittsburgh came out of nowhere this year and earned 47 more points than last year. Fair enough, but I think that was due to excellent young players moreso than actual coaching. I saw him in Montreal years back and I know he's not Jack Adams material - he's average.
JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY (outstanding defenseman):
Should Win: Scott Niedermeyer
Will Win: Scott Niedermeyer
Call this one a hunch. He's the #1 D in Anaheim so that overtakes Pronger, and I just have a feeling about the Ducks this year. Any of the three are deserving though, so this is basically a pick 'em.
LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct):
Should Win: Joe Sakic
Will Win: Joe Sakic
This is always Joe Sakic's to lose, isn't it?
LESTER B. PEARSON AWARD (most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA):
Should Win: Roberto Luongo
Will Win: Roberto Luongo
Who's tougher to play against? I think most would suggest a goalie here, despite how awesome Vinny and Sidney are...so I think this is the one Luongo will have a lock on. The only team he faced more than once in the regular season but didn't beat was Anaheim - until the playoffs. It's easier to shut down a forward than score a goal, right? When you're on the ice playing with these people, I think that's how you'd look at it.
VEZINA TROPHY (outstanding goaltender):
Should Win: Roberto Luongo
Will Win: Martin Brodeur
Throw Lundqvist and Kiprusoff out of the equation - as great a season as they both had, they aren't in the same league as Brodeur and Luongo, who I always thought were the best two goalies in the league from the get-go this season. I picked Luongo because he didn't have the same quality teammates that Brodeur had - but I think for a lot of people, they'll look at Brodeur's numbers, which are just a smidge better than Luongo. This is basically a pick 'em between the two, but Marty will win.
-Tim