NHL Awards 2013: Day One Predictions
By Pat McGrath
Jun 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) at the face-off circle against the Boston Bruins during the third period in game two of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Boston Bruins won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
While most of the NHL world is focused on the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins’ respective quests for the Stanley Cup, the league will be making a splash in other ways as the regular season awards will be handed out over the next two nights. The league has split their awards ceremony into two nights, with the first batch of awards being handed out tonight at 5 p.m. (NHL Network). The awards to be handed out tonight are as follows: Bill Masterson Memorial, Frank J. Selke, King Clancy and Lady Bing trophies, Jack Adams award, Mark Messier NHL leadership award, NHL Foundation Player award, and the NHL GM of the year award. The big guns such as the Hart Memorial, Calder Memorial, James Norris Memorial, Vezina, and the Ted Lindsay Award will be handed out Saturday starting at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, leading up to the start of Game 2 at 8 pm ET.
For Florida Panther fans, the big award to focus on is the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the rookie of the year. Panther forward Jonathan Huberdeau has been named as one of the three finalists along with Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher and Chicago’s Brandon Saad. While we will have to wait until Saturday to see if Huberdeau will emerge victorious, for now let’s take a look at the awards to be handed out tonight.
Nominees and Predictions:
Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy
(Player who demonstrates perseverance and dedication to hockey)
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild
Adam McQuaid, Boston Bruins
Prediction:
Josh Harding: While all three players have pretty amazing stories, Harding fighting through multiple sclerosis a disease that causes problems with balance and blurred vision was pretty special.
Frank J. Selke
May 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) carries the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
(Top Defensive Forward)
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction:
Patrice Bergeron
Lady Bing Memorial Trophy
(Sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct)
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Matt Moulson, New York Islanders
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Prediction:
Martin St. Louis
Jack Adams Award
(Head coach of the year)
Bruce Boudreau, Anaheim Ducks
Paul MacLean, Ottawa Senators
Joel Quenneville, Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction:
Bruce Boudreau: What Boudreau did with the Anaheim Ducks is enough to merit this award and while Quenneville could easily be the winner off the strength of the Blackhawks 77 point season, I believe Boudreau edges him out.
Mark Messier Leadership Award
Jun 2, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
(Player who is a leader on and off the ice)
Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators
Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction:
Daniel Alfredsson: The 40 year old Alfredsson stepped up big time when injuries decimated the Senators. Leading a group of young players, Alfredsson played in 47 games and helped carry Ottawa to the playoffs.
GM of the Year
Ray Shero, Pittsburgh Penguins
Bob Murray, Anaheim Ducks
Marc Bergevin, Montreal Canadiens
Prediction:
Ray Shero
That’s all for now, tomorrow we will look take a closer look at the big name awards as well as Jonathan Huberdeau’s chances of claiming the rookie of the year award.