2009 NHL Awards Winners, All-NHL and All-Rookie Teams

Last night, the NHL held their Award Show last night for the first time from Las Vegas.  Details on all the awards can be found on NHL.com here.  Here are the winners of most coveted trophies in sports:

Stanley Cup
Pittsburgh Penguins

I had picked the Red Wings.  Congratulations to the Penguins.

Prince of Wales Trophy
Pittsburgh Penguins

Campbell Trophy
Detroit Red Wings

President Trophy (League best club)
San Jose Sharks

Art Ross Trophy (League scoring champion)
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin

Maurice Richard Trophy (League’s top goal scorer)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin

William Jennings Trophy (Club surrendered the fewest goals)
Boston Bruins goaltenders Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez

Here are the award winners announced last night.  I include my comment if I had picked the incorrect winner.

Calder Trophy (top rookie)
Columbus Blue Jackets Steve Mason

I had picked Kris Versteeg to win the Calder, but Mason had a great season in goal.

Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship)
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

I had picked Zach Parise to break Pavel’s streak.

Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
Boston Bruins Tim Thomas

Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
Detroit Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk

Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin

I had picked Malkin to win it this year, but Alex was deserving his second Hart.

Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
Steve Sullivan, Nashville Predators

I had picked Richard Zendik, but Steve deserved this award.

Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
Claude Julien, Boston Bruins

Pearson Award
Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin

I did not do as well as last year in picking winners, but it was difficult to pick one since all these players are deserving.  So, it will not be surprised to see the All-NHL and All-Rookie teams:

2008-2009 NHL First All-Star Team

G – Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
D – Mike Green, Washington Capitals
D – Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
C – Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
RW – Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
LW – Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

2008-2009 NHL Second All-Star Team

G – Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets
D – Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
D – Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks
C – Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
RW – Marian Hossa, Detroit Red Wings
LW – Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils

2008-2009 NHL All Rookie Team

G – Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets
D – Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
D – Luke Schenn, Toronto Maple Leafs
F – Patrik Berglund, St. Louis Blues
F – Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks
F – Kris Versteeg, Chicago Blackhawks

Did some did not make this list this year? The rookie team is what I expected, but I wonder if there were other who could make it on the second team.

NHL 2009 Foundation Award Nominees

NHL.com announce the 2009 NHL Foundation Award nominees for the player who exhibits commitment and services to charities in their communities. They are:

Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings
Alex Kovalev, Montreal Canadiens
Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets

All three players are worthy of this award.  They have done much for their communities.  After reading the stories on what each player has done, I would have to pick Alex Kovalev.  Read the story to pick your candidate to win it this year.

Here is summary of the nominees for the 2009 NHL Awards:

WED, APRIL 22: Calder Trophy (top rookie)
THU, APRIL 23: Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
FRI, APRIL 24: Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship)
MON, APRIL 27: Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
TUE, APRIL 28: Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
WED, APRIL 29: Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
THU, APRIL 30: Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
FRI, MAY 1: Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
MON, MAY 4: NHL Foundation Award (contributions)

Note: The 2009 NHL Awards will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on June 18 on VERSUS in the United States and CBC in Canada. Tickets to the 2009 NHL Awards are on sale at ticketmaster.com/nhlawards and at the Pearl Concert Theater Box Office.

2009 NHL Adams Award Nominees

NHL.com has announced the 2009 Jack Adams Award nominees for top coach.  This year’s nominees are:

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

These coaches had a lot in getting their teams to the playoffs this year.  We saw much improvement in Boston and a surprise run by St Louis.  Yet, San Jose was a team who was poised to make it to the top of their conference.  The choices are tough.  But, I think that Claude Julien is the favorite and my pick since the Bruins made greater strides in from last season, eighth seed to the top seed in the Eastern Conference.  This should not diminish the Blues run to make the playoffs or the Sharks improvement coached by a former Red Wing assistant.  These teams will improve next year.

Don’t forget, the NHL Awards after the playoffs.  Details from today’s story:

The 2009 NHL Awards will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on June 18 on VERSUS in the United States and CBC in Canada. Tickets to the 2009 NHL Awards are on sale at ticketmaster.com/nhlawards and at the Pearl Concert Theater Box Office.

Only one award nominee list remains, here is the updated schedule and its links:

WED, APRIL 22: Calder Trophy (top rookie)
THU, APRIL 23: Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
FRI, APRIL 24: Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship)
MON, APRIL 27: Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
TUE, APRIL 28: Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
WED, APRIL 29: Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
THU, APRIL 30: Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
FRI, MAY 1: Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
MON, MAY 4: NHL Foundation Award (contributions)

NHL 2009 Masterton Trophy Nominees

NHL.com has announced the 2009 Masterton Trophy nominees for the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.  This years nominees are:

Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings
Steve Sullivan, Nashville Predators
Richard Zednik, Florida Panthers

Yet, another fine lists of nominees who deserve this award.  All three of them have overcome a recent injury and continue to exhibit their dedication to their favorite past time, hockey.  Read the article and you will find out each of their stories.  Each of them are inspiring to see them back on the ice surface.  I would say Richard Zednik and Steve Sullivan may be leading favorites since their stories involve career ending injuries.  But, Chris Chelios has shown it is still possible to play 25 seasons in the NHL joining legends like Gordie Howe and Mark Messier.  I would select Richard Zendik, but I foresee that Chris Chelios will get this year’s award.

Here the update schedule and links are the award announcements:

WED, APRIL 22: Calder Trophy (top rookie)
THU, APRIL 23: Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
FRI, APRIL 24: Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship)
MON, APRIL 27: Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
TUE, APRIL 28: Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
WED, APRIL 29: Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
THU, APRIL 30: Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
FRI, MAY 1: Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
MON, MAY 4: NHL Foundation Award (contributions)

NHL 2009 Hart Trophy Nominees

NHL.com announced the 2009 Hart Trophy nominees for most outstanding player.  They are:

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

This will be difficult to pick a winner in this group. All three have made major contributions to their teams this year.   Alexander Ovechkin won it last year and is looking to repeat.  Per the NHL story, it seems the Evgeni Malkin has had a consistent regular season year despites Pittsburgh struggles during the year.  Pavel Datsyuk has the skills on offensive and defensive to be deemed most valuable to his team.  Convententual wisdom says Ovechkin, and would agree with it based upon all the press he receives.  But reading the players recap, I think that Malkin will take it this year.

Remember that 2009 NHL Awards will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on June 18 on VERSUS in the United States and CBC in Canada. Tickets to the 2009 NHL Awards are on sale at ticketmaster.com/nhlawards and at the Pearl Concert Theater Box Office.

Here is the NHL award nominee schedule and updated links:

WED, APRIL 22: Calder Trophy (top rookie)
THU, APRIL 23: Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
FRI, APRIL 24: Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship)
MON, APRIL 27: Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
TUE, APRIL 28: Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
WED, APRIL 29: Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
THU, APRIL 30: Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
FRI, MAY 1: Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
MON, MAY 4: NHL Foundation Award (contributions)

NHL 2009 Selke Trophy Nominees

NHL.com announced the 2009 Selke Trophy nominees for top defensive forward.  They are:

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks
Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers

Well, another group of hard working forwards who deserve this award.  Pavel Datysuk is the favorite in this category.  While Ryan Kesler and Mike Richards as detailed in the NHL story are the bruising and hitting type forwards, they are no where at the same level as Datysuk in skills to get the puck away from the opposing player.  This  skill will get Datysuk this award again for the second straight year.

Here is the updated 2009 NHL awards nominees schedule and links:

WED, APRIL 22: Calder Trophy (top rookie)
THU, APRIL 23: Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
FRI, APRIL 24: Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship)
MON, APRIL 27: Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
TUE, APRIL 28: Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
WED, APRIL 29: Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
THU, APRIL 30: Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
FRI, MAY 1: Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
MON, MAY 4: NHL Foundation Award (contributions)

Don’t forget the watch the award show at the end of the second season.

The 2009 NHL Awards will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on June 18 on VERSUS in the United States and CBC in Canada. Tickets to the 2009 NHL Awards are on sale at ticketmaster.com/nhlawards and at the Pearl Concert Theater Box Office.

NHL 2009 Venzina Trophy Nominees

NHL.com announced the 2009 Venzina Trophy nominees for top goaltender.  They are:

Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild
Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets
Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

Another impressive group of nominees.  All three are equally deserving of this award.  Niklas Backstrom per the NHL story was the “best player” on his team that did not make the playoffs.  But, I will have to say that probably will not do him well against Steve Mason, a rookie, who took his team to the playoffs, and Tim Thomas who took his team from an eighth seed last year to one seed this year.  Mason was a difference in Columbus as they made the playoff for the first time.  He does have a shot to win the Calder and Venzina in the same year.  He could be the fifth to do this feat, but I will have to pick Thomas because of what he has done in goal for the Bruins.  To have a outstanding two year run in goal for an Original Six team is truly amazing.

Here is recent links to the prior award nominee announcement and the remaining schedule for this year awards:

WED, APRIL 22: Calder Trophy (top rookie)
THU, APRIL 23: Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
FRI, APRIL 24: Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship)
MON, APRIL 27: Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
TUE, APRIL 28: Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
WED, APRIL 29: Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
THU, APRIL 30: Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
FRI, MAY 1: Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
MON, MAY 4: NHL Foundation Award (contributions)