Anyway, onto the part of the show that matters... it'll probably be a relatively lean night for the Red Wings. With Lidstrom not being nominated for his trophy and Pavel having a lean year (but still getting two nominations) Jimmy Howard is probably the Wings' best shot at an award.
Vezina Trophy
Awarded to the best goaltender as judged by the League's 30 General Managers. Currently held by Tim Thomas.
Finalists:
Martin Brodeur (NJD) -- 45-25-6, 2.24 GAA, .916 SV%
Ilya Bryzgalov (PHX) -- 42-20-6, 2.29 GAA, .920 SV%
Ryan Miller (BUF) -- 41-18-8, 2.22 GAA, .929 SV%
WOW Winner: Ryan Miller
For most of the season Ryan Miller was the most talked about as the Vezina-favorite, and with good reason. With little help to speak of, Miller lead his Buffalo Sabres to the best record in the Northeast division and was second only to Tuukka Rask in SV% and GAA while playing in 24 more games.
James Norris Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the best all-round defenseman in the League as judged by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Also known as the Lidstrom Trophy. Currently held by Zdeno Chara.
Finalists:
Drew Doughty (LAK) -- 16 goals, 43 assists, 59 points, +20
Mike Green (WAS) -- 19 goals, 57 assists, 76 points, +39
Duncan Keith (CHI) -- 14 goals, 55 assists, 69 points, +21
WOW Winner: Duncan Keith
In my mind, Duncan Keith was without question the NHL's best defenseman. The gold-medallist and Stanley Cup-winner deserves one more trophy to top off his outstanding 2010 season. While his +/- rating is significantly lower than Mike Green's and his point total is slightly lower, he is still light years ahead of Green in terms of defense. Coupling that with a massive 69 point season, he takes the Lidstrom Trophy home in my eyes. Having said this, it wouldn't surprise me to see it go to Mike Green. His Coffey-esque numbers usually garner more attention than they necessarily deserve.
Calder Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the best player at his position in his first year of competition as judged by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Currently held by Steve Mason.
Finalists:
Jimmy Howard G (DET) -- 37-15-10, 2.26 GAA, .924 SV%
Matt Duchene C (COL) -- 24 goals, 31 assists, 55 points, +1
Tyler Myers D (BUF) -- 11 goals, 37 assists, 48 points, +13
WOW Winner: Jimmy Howard
Many non-Red Wings' fan might accuse me of being biased, and this may prove to be the case. But I truly believe this award is out of Howard and Myers. Jimmy has had an exceptional season in a tough situation in Detroit. With Chris Osgood faltering for the second straight regular season, Ken Holland and Mike Babcock looked to Jimmy Howard to take the reigns, and that he did. Backstopping a heavily injured team, Howard finished the season 5th in the League in both SV% and GAA.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the who combine sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with outstanding play as judged by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Currently held by Pavel Datsyuk.
Finalists:
Pavel Datsyuk C (DET) -- 27 goals, 43 assists, 70 points, +17
Brad Richards C (DAL) -- 24 goals, 67 assists, 91 points, -12
Martin St. Louis RW (TBL) -- 29 goals, 65 assists, 94 points, -8
WOW Winner: Martin St. Louis I guess...
I dunno. I mean, how do you seriosuly judge this award? I really give no thought to this award during the year, so I'm just going by numbers now. Datsyuk had a big drop in production this season, we all know that. St. Louis had a great year and has the numbers... so I guess I'll pick him. Whatever.
Frank J. Selke Trophy
Awarded to the forward who demonstrates the best defensive skill in the NHL as judged by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Currently held by Pavel Datsyuk.
Finalists:
Pavel Datsyuk C (DET) -- 27 goals, 43 assists, 70 points, +17
Ryan Kesler C (VAN) -- 25 goals, 50 assists, 75 points, +1
Jordan Staal C (PIT) -- 21 goals, 28 assists, 49 points, +19
WOW Winner: Ryan Kesler
Probably not the most popular choice among Red Wings' fans but I honestly believe Ryan Kesler deserves this one. Datsyuk had a pretty rough season compared his preceding campaigns and Kesler's 75 points while taking on the oppositions best is too much for me to ignore. Staal will get it one day. Not on Wednesday though.
Jack Adams Award
Awarded to the NHL coach of the year as judged by National Hockey League Broadcasters' Association. Currently held by Claude Julien.
Finalists:
Joe Sacco (COL) -- Record: 43-30-9
Dave Tippett (PHX) -- Record: 50-25-7
Barry Trotz (NSH) -- Record: 47-29-6
WOW Winner: Dave Tippett
This must be the most obvious of all the awards to be handed out. Dave Tippett did extraordinary things with a pretty ordinary team. With no stars to speak of, the Phoenix Coyotes smashed franchise records of 40 wins and 95 points with their 50 wins and 107 points. The marks also set records for the Winnipeg Jets franchise records in the NHL. Ilya Bryzgalov was the only real outstanding player on the team, so Dave Tippett gets a lot of the credit for the team's turnaround since Wayne Gretzky. If there is one certainly during this whole night, it is surely Tippett.
Ted Lindsay Award
Awarded to the most outstanding NHL player as judged by the NHL Players' Association. Currently held by Alexander Ovechkin.
Finalists:
Alexander Ovechkin LW (WAS) -- 50 goals, 59 assists, 109 points, +45
Sidney Crosby C (PIT)-- 51 goals, 58 assists, 109 points, +25
Henrik Sedin C (VAN) -- 29 goals, 83 assists, 112 points, +35
WOW Winner: Henrik Sedin
I never used to think that Henrik would have had this in him. His ability to shoot the puck alone was one hinderance I thought would keep him from being a genuine elite player but his 29 goals have silenced me. For the first time in his career, he finished a season over 1 point per game, and this year he easily eclipsed the mark. Sedin lead the League with his 83 assists and 112 points which is enough for me, to give him the Award. Crosby could get this thing, but Sedin is my choice.
Hart Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the most NHL's MVP as judged by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Currently held by Alexander Ovechkin.
As above. It's the same damn thing, with the same damn finalists!
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