The Sports Corner

TSC’s NHL awards 2009 predictions

The hockey season is over, signalling the start of the offseason, and the first event is none other then the NHL awards.

While plenty of hardware will be handed out Thursday night in Las Vegas, TSC is providing our readers with several earlier predictions as to who will go home with a trophy.

The awards can be watched on CBC at 8:30 p.m. ET. For now, here’s who we think will win:

HART TROPHY (Most valuable player)

Nominees: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins; Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals.

Prediction: Alexander Ovechkin - Ovie seems to be the obvious choice considering he was in a sense more valuable to the Capitals then Malkin was to the Pens or Datsyuk was to the Red Wings. The Great Eight scored 56 goals, with some coming in amazing fashion, and was second overall in points with 110. Washington would not be in the playoffs without Ovechkin, and he could very well be the first back-to-back Hart trophy winner since Dominik Hasek did it in 1997 and 1998.

JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY (Top defenceman)

Nominees: Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins; Mike Green, Washington Capitals; Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings.

Prediction: Mike Green - A very tough award to call as all three nominees equally deserve it. But if it was based on offensive production -which voting for this trophy seems to have strayed towards lately- then Green will most likely win. The blueline leader in goals, points, powerplay goals, and shooting percentage, Green just might upset both Lidstrom (who has won 6 of the last 7 Norris’) and Chara (an absolute monster in the backend). It’ll be close.

CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY (Top rookie)

Nominees: Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets; Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks; Kris Versteeg, Chicago Blackhawks.

Prediction: Steve Mason - This is close to a no brainer, no offense to Ryan and Versteeg, as Mason basically single-handedly led the Blue Jackets to the playoffs. He led the league in shutouts and was second in GAA, all while playing as a rookie. Columbus would not have seen postseason action without this first-year netminder and it’ll be a well deserved Calder Trophy win for him.

VEZINA TROPHY (Top goaltender)

Nominees: Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild; Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets; Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins.

Prediction: Tim Thomas - The man with the many styles was consistent all year and was a major factor into the Bruins winning the Eastern Conference. Thomas was top in both GAA and SV%, while adding five shutouts and 36 wins. It would be a surprise if Backstrom or Mason beat Thomas out for the top goaltender crown.

FRANK SELKE TROPHY (Top defensive forward)

Nominees: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks; Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers.

Prediction: Mike Richards - This one will come down to Datsyuk and Richards, which means it’s a fight between two stats -plus and minus, or shorthanded goals. Datsyuk is third in the league with a plus-34, while Richards lead the league with seven shorthanded tallies and two assists. On the other hand, Richards is a plus-22 while Datsyuk only has one shorty. Kesler winning would be a huge surprise.

LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY (Sportsmanship and gentlemanly play)

Nominees: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils; Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning.

Prediction: Pavel Datsyuk - He has to finally win something with three nominations. Datsyuk only registered 22 penalty minutes while registering 97 points -fourth in the league. That’s very impressive numbers considering he also plays as a shut-down offensive centre. Datsyuk is also a strong definition of class as it’s pretty rare to see the Russian forward lose his composure.

BILL MASTERTON MEMORIAL TROPHY (Sportsmanship and dedication to hockey)

Nominees: Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings; Steve Sullivan, Nashville Predators; Richard Zednik, Florida Panthers.

Prediction: Richard Zednik - It was already pointed out earlier on TSC that Zednik should win the Masterton trophy considering what he went through. But Sullivan would be a strong choice as well. This is an award that honours someone’s love and commitment to hockey, so much so that they overcome huge adversity just to play the game again. All three nominees has shown that.

JACK ADAMS TROPHY (Coach of the year)

Nominees: Claude Julien, Boston Bruins; Todd McLellan, San Jose Sharks; Andy Murray, St. Louis Blues.

Prediction: Claude Julien - The difference between McLellan and Julien was that many expected the Sharks to do well, while many predicted the Bruins to fall in the middle of their conference. However, Julien brought out the best of his team and guided them all season long to the Eastern title. They were the best team from the start to the end, and a lot had to do with Julien’s coaching.