Beyond Lord Stanley

Now is the time of year we all get swept up in making predictions for the playoffs. But it’s also time to dust off our scrying mirrors and crystal balls to imagine the winners of all these fine trophies, proving there is more to the NHL than just the Stanley Cup. Here’s a run-down–and use the comments feature! I’d love to get more ideas for who deserves these accolades. Inspired by an article in The Buffalo News by Bucky Gleason, since I didn’t agree with all his picks!

The Hart Trophy

Hart (NHL MVP): I’m not unhappy with Gleason’s pick, Daniel Sedin, for the Hart. For some reason, though I detest Boston, I’d be somewhat interested in seeing Milan Lucic get it. It’d be nice to see Nick Lidstrom win this one, though, since he’s got to be heading for retirement in the next decade…

The Vezina Trophy

Vezina (top goaltender): The world is cheering for Tim Thomas to win it this year. And he’s been great. How much is the mustache a Samson, though, will he falter if someone shaves or Nair’s him in his sleep? Hard to argue with his numbers, but he’s not the top in wins, that’s Luongo. Another category that makes me wish I had infinite time to watch games, to see all the top-notch saves throughout the league. Other than Thomas, Lundqvist is having a hell of a season, though NYR is another team i generally dislike! Price has been okay, I love Kiprusoff but he’s had a marginal season, maybe throw Jimmy Howard in the mix as a runner-up. Maybe a dark horse like Halak?

The Norris Trophy

Norris (top D-man): Sometimes seems just an excuse to honor the goal-scoringest defenceman. I’d love to see an emphasis on being a whole defensive player, blocking shots, body checks, clearing the zone on the PK and to jumpstart an offensive attack, protecting the goaltender, leading by example. I think Jay McKee would’ve been an excellent choice for this one circa 1999; this year, I will bury some animosity and say it’s Kimmo Timonen‘s (Philly, and y’all know I hate Philly). Minus his injuries, Mike Green should be in contention, too.

The Selke Trophy

Selke (top Defensive Forward): Ryan Kesler, please!–Bucky’s right on with this pick. It’s hard not to run the Canucks up and down this whole list. Kesler‘s great, even strength or PK. Smart and it shows. This might be the greatest award given, finally recognizing that it’s not all about the goal scoring.

The Calder Trophy

Calder (Rookie of the year): Why didn’t the local guy pick the local guy? Ennis might have cooled off a little but he’s such a pleasure to watch, the way he protects the puck, glorious. I think it’d make sense to go Jeff Skinner, leading goal scorer. so nice remembering they do award it to defencemen (like Myers last year), but it is often tied to points/goals, so I’ll go Skinner. He was fun to watch in a very tense battle yesterday. PK Subban wouldn’t be a bad choice, either, if they can go two years in a row giving it to a blue-liner.

The Jack Adams Trophy

Jack Adams (coach): No mention of Alain Vigneault from Vancouver?! The team’s been working up to this season, and they’ve been working under Vigneault. if his win in 2007 is too recent to give it again, then let’s see LA’s Terry Murray or Todd McLellan get it for sneaking the teams up high in the playoff standings, when they’d been written off early in the season. Still glad LA’s built on last season’s modicum of success, so reward it with a trophy, eh?

Lady Byng (sportsmanship): I love that Pavel Datsyuk got into one fight early in the season and all the commentators could say was, “He’s just lost his chance at the Byng.”

The Lady Byng Trophy

Without watching a lot more hockey than a regular life leaves time for, I feel underqualified to make a claim about sportsmanship. So, i’d give it to Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri–few penalties, none for fights, and he’s playing hard, intelligent hockey without getting nasty about it. Except for my friend and hockey afficionado John Barlow, we’d all probably pay more attention to this guy if he was on another team…

Buffalocals might have spotted Bucky Gleason’s hopefuls for the various hockey awards. he’s got a right to his opinions, but really, there’s no way Chara deserves the Norris! He’s a goon with a hard slapshot, not a genius on defense!

Go ahead, make your selections known, argue with Bucky and among ourselves. Only a handful of regular season games remaining…