Who takes home the hardware?

There’s a beginning, middle, and an end to every season which encompasses 82 games for each of the NHL’s 30 teams. When the end of the season rolls around there’s a few things that are going through everyone’s mind in the hockey world. Of course the first one being the upcoming playoffs deciding who will be the next team to hoist the Stanley Cup. But other than that obvious reason there’s another end of season occurrence that should not be overlooked. Just like at a lot of high schools where athletes are celebrated by being thrown an end of season awards banquet, the NHL throws an awards ceremony of their own to congratulate the efforts of hockey’s finest players. As the 2010-2011 NHL regular season comes to a close it’s time for last year’s NHL Award winners to say goodbye to their trophies and hand over their titles to fellow NHL’ers who have earned the awards this season.

There are awards given out to players who have statistically been the best in the league, and then there are awards given to players who are voted on by a various panel of judges or fellow NHL Players. Titles given to players who are statistically the best include the President’s, Art Ross, William M. Jennings, NHL Plus/Minus, Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard, and Roger Crozier Saving Grace trophies. Although statistics may affect the winners of awards such as the Hart, Lady Byng, Vezina, Calder, Norris, Conn Smythe, Bill Masterton, Ted Lindsay, Jack Adams, Selke, King Clancy, and Mark Messier trophies they are not solely based on the numbers. When awards night rolls around it’s no surprise as to who will be winning trophies like the President’s or ‘Rocket’ Richard, as they are already pre-determined. The only element of suspense or surprise in the night is with the other non-statistic awards. In some cases these awards are more emotional and mean a lot more to their recipients, because they are often voted on by fellow NHL players and alumni. Among non-statistic based awards are four main titles that name the recipients as the best in the game at their individual positions. There’s no way to know for sure who will take home the hardware for these titles, but a prediction or two never hurt anyone…right?

The Hart Memorial Trophy- Awarded to the league’s most valuable player.

2010 Winner: Henrik Sedin- Vancouver Canucks

2011 Prediction: Daniel Sedin-Vancouver Canucks

· History repeats itself as the Hart Trophy stays within the Sedin family. Daniel will be named MVP after scoring 41 goals (10 more than second place) and 63 assists for a total of 104 points in the 2010-2011 regular season.

The Vezina Trophy- Awarded to the league’s top goaltender.

2010 Winner: Ryan Miller- Buffalo Sabres

2011 Prediction: Tim Thomas- Boston Bruins

· Tim Thomas will receive his second Vezina in seven seasons as an NHL goaltender. Posting an NHL Record-worthy .938 save percentage in the 2010-2011 season Tim Thomas is the no doubts about it Vezina winner.

The Calder Memorial Trophy- Awarded to the league’s most outstanding rookie player.

2010 Winner: Tyler Myers- Buffalo Sabres

2011 Prediction: Logan Couture- San Jose Sharks

· Last year’s Calder recipient was valuable to his team in the sense that he prevented offensive chances for opponents. The Calder will be passed from defensemen to forward as San Jose Sharks rookie Logan Couture gains the honor. Coming in second among the NHL rookies with 32 goals Couture has attributed to much of San Jose’s success this year by scoring timely goals, which will ultimately lead him to being named most valuable rookie.

The James Norris Memorial Trophy- Awarded to the league’s best defensemen.

2010 Winner: Duncan Keith-Chicago Blackhawks

2011 Prediction: Niklas Lidstrom- Detroit Red Wings

· Ranked fourth in the league among defensemen for goals scored and ranked third for assists, Niklas Lidstrom continues to be a source of strength for the Detroit Red Wings. Playing in all 82 games this season Lidstrom has earned himself a seventh Norris trophy in the last 10 seasons. Niklas also captured the honors in 2001, 02, 03, 06, 07, 08.

In a few months the NHL’s elite stars will travel to Las Vegas in hopes of winning one of these prestigious awards. June 22^nd, 2011 will be a night to remember as you can watch some of the worlds most talented athletes gain recognition in one of the fastest games on earth. When awards time finally arrives, turn on your T.V. and make some predictions of your own (or to see if I’m completely wrong on all of mine), what’s there to lose?