SenShot’s Mid-Season NHL Awards
The NHL is near it’s midway point, and it is a time for reflection at the first half that saw a bunch of great performances, lots of surprises and some disappointments. SenShot takes this opportunity to hand out some mid-season NHL Awards to deserving players who have had a great start to the campaign.
Nov 25, 2013; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2), Andrew Shaw (65) and forward Jonathan Toews (19) celebrate a goal by forward Patrick Kane (88) against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Rather than name 3 nominees from around the league, I will put forward an individual from the East and one from the West.
JACK ADAMS AWARD – Coach of The Year
NOMINEES:
EAST: Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning
Cooper took over the team late last season, and this year has taken the Lightning near the top of the Eastern Conference and stayed there despite losing star forward Steven Stamkos to a leg injury.
Dec 5, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper talks with center Tyler Johnson (9) and teammates against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
WEST: Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche have been the surprise team of the NHL, after finishing dead last in 2013, they got off to a tremendous start to the season and have remained in a playoff spot past the mid-way point of the season, with much of the spotlight
Dec 21, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy on the bench in the third period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Kings won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
WINNER: ROY
The fact that it is tough for a player of his legend to make it behind the bench (see: Wayne Gretzky), Roy has done an admirable job with the young Avalanche and if he can guide the team to the post-season it will be a job well done for the Hall of Fame goaltender who had never coached pro hockey prior to this season.
SELKE AWARD – Best Defensive Forward
EAST: Henrik Zetterberg, DET – While Pavel Datsyuk gets most of the credit and a seemingly annual nomination for this award, Zetterberg deserves some recognition for his 2 way play in Detroit.
Jan 4, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Zetterberg has two goals in the game. The Red Wings defeated the Stars 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
WEST: Jonathan Toews, CHI – Toews is probably the best 2 way centre in the NHL.
Jan 3, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) controls the puck in front of New Jersey Devils defenseman Mark Fayne (7) during the first period at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
WINNER: Toews. This award traditionally goes to a player who puts up points as well as taking care of business in his own end. Toews is the best at that aspect of the game.
CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY- Rookie Of the Year
EAST: Torey Krug, BOS – The little blueliner has continued his play from the post-season last year and leads rookie blueliners by a wide margin in scoring, and has put himself among the top 15 in scoring by all defensemen, not just rookies. 10 goals and 13 assists so far this season.
Jan 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) skates during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
WEST: Tomas Hertl, SJ – Highlighted by a 4 goal game early on in the season, Hertl got off to a blistering start. Leads all rookies with 15 goals and second in points with 25.
Nov 29, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) skates toward the St. Louis Blues goal during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Sharks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
WINNER: Hertl. He slowed down in the latter stages of the first half, and if Sean Monahan hadn’t been injured, or if Tyler Toffoli had started the season in the NHL, he might not be the nominee. Hot on his heels are Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin as well, and if he doesn’t pick up his pace, Hertl will not be in the conversation at the end of the year, when it really matters.
BILL MASTERTON TROPHY – Perseverence and Dedication
EAST: Manny Malhotra, CAR – An eye injury forced him out of the game for a time in Vancouver, but his perseverence led to a comeback and a stint in the AHL on a professional tryout. He made it back to the NHL in October, and has been a mainstay in the Hurricane’s lineup ever since, and has 4 goals and 4 assists and a +5 rating in 30 games.
Dec 11, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell (33) during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Kings beat the Maple Leafs 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
WEST: Willie Mitchell, LAK – Devastating knee injuries kept him out of the lineup for the entire 2013 season, the Kings blueliner returned to the lineup in 2014 and has played in 38 of the team’s 43 games, playing over 20 minutes per night and registering 4 assists and a +8 rating.
Jan 4, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Manny Malhotra (22) controls the puck in front of New York Islanders center Ryan Strome (18) during the first period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
WINNER: Malhotra gets the nod, although if Steven Stamkos can return before the Olympics, he might get a lot of consideration for the award in the second half.
NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY – Best defenseman
EAST: P.K. Subban – The fact is that 2 of the top 3 scoring defensemen are in the Eastern Conference. The fact is also that both of them (Subban and Erik Karlsson) are equal opportunity defensemen, meaning each team has a chance to score when they are on the ice this season. The fact Subban is a +13 while Karlsson is -11 gives him the nod. If my format didn’t demand it, there wouldn’t be an Eastern Conference nominee in the bunch.
Jan 4, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) is called for a minor penalty against Ottawa Senators right wing Erik Condra (22) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
WEST: Duncan Keith – The league’s highest scoring defensemen is also one of the best defensively, on a good team. He has 39 assists and a +18 rating.
Dec 27, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) being defended by Colorado Avalanche right wing P.A. Parenteau (15) in the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
WINNER: Keith. After Keith, Subban and Karlsson, the 9 of the next 10 highest scoring defensemen are from the Western Conference, which is an indication of why the West has been best this season. Keith is far and away the best of a good lot.
VEZINA TROPHY – Top Goaltender
Jan 3, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) guards his net against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Tampa Bay Lightning won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
EAST: Ben Bishop, TBL – Although the number of Bishop and Tuukka Rask are nearly identical, the fact that Rask has a better team in front of him give Bishop the edge.
WEST: Josh Harding, MIN – Taking over for Niklas Bacstrom as the starter, Harding was almost unbeatable in the first half, posting a 1.65 GAA and .933 SP.
Dec 17, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding (37) makes a save during overtime against the Vancouver Canucks at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Canucks 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
WINNER: Harding. Battling his well known health concerns and playing at an elite level is simply amazing. his play on the ice warrants the award, and the fact he did it while dealing with the effects and medication to regulate his MS is the icing on the cake.
HART MEMORIAL TROPHY – Most Valuable Player
EAST: Sidney Crosby, PIT – Over the past two seasons it was Crosby in and out of the lineup. This year he has been a tower of strength and health as he has watched his teammates fall around him all season due to injuries and suspensions. Crosby leads the league with 62 points in 43 games.
Jan 2, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) controls the puck in front of New York Islanders defenseman Calvin de Haan (44) during the second period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
WEST: Patrick Kane, CHI – The shifty Kane has taken his game to another level and is a big reason why the Hawks are still the team to beat in the powerful Western Conference. He is second to Crosby with 54 points and is second in the league with 6 game winners (Corey Perry has 7)
Dec 29, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Pittsburgh beat Columbus 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
WINNER: Crosby – His play has been out of this world despite being the focus of the opposition every night and being without his supporting centre (Evgeni Malkin) for over 10 games.