Florida Panthers Barkov, Jagr, Gallant Nominated for Awards
After The Florida Panthers Most Successful Season, Barkov, Jagr and Coach Gallant Recognized for Their Efforts
With the NHL season being close to over, the NHL awards are on the horizon, a night where the NHL recognizes the individual efforts of players to be the best in their sport. For Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr, this could be the night for one to receive his first award of many in his career and for another, a trophy he hasn’t earned before to add to a long list of accolades. Gerard Gallant joins them for his first nomination for an award as a head coach
Jagr joins former Pittsburgh Penguin Pascal Dupuis and New York Rangers Mats Zuccarello in being finalists for the Bill Masterson Award. The Masterson award is given to the player who shows the most dedication to the NHL and the game of hockey. Jagr, who is 44 years old, put up an impressive 66 points this season and captained the NHL’s Atlantic Division All-Star team as well as broke into third all-time in points and goals in NHL history has had a season that people will not forget for a long time. Zuccarello is expected to be a favorite based on the general opinion of fans, however, Jagr has put up some impressive statistics this season which could be enough to land him the award.
Aleksander Barkov joins the Boston Bruins Loui Erikkson and the Los Angeles Kings Anze Kopitar in being nominated for the Lady Byng award, awarded for exceptional sportsmanship as well as a high standard of playing. Barkov would have a career high season with 59 points and only eight penalty minutes during the regular season. Barkov would be the second Panther to win the award after Brian Campbell won it in 2012. Jiri Hudler, who was picked up at the trade deadline, won it last season while playing for the Calgary Flames. Barkov should easily take home the award as he had the least amount of penalty minutes out of the three and was a major key to the Panthers success this season.
Gerard Gallant, who coached the Panthers through their best season in the history of the team joins Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz, as well as Lindy Ruff of the Dallas Stars in being nominated for the Jack Adams Award, which is given to the coach who has contributed the most to his team’s success. Gallant is a first-time nominee while Trotz and Ruff are three-time nominees for the award. Gallant has been a rumored candidate since January and is one of the more successful coach’s when it comes to the coach’s challenge. That on top of the ability to coach a young roster, as well as the previous year when he helped bring the Panthers the most improved franchise award makes him a likely winner for the Jack Adams.
With a good guarantee that at least one of the three men is leaving Las Vegas with an award, the NHL Awards ceremony on June 22nd will be one you won’t want to miss if you are a Panthers fan.