My picks:
Hart Trophy (MVP) – Anze Kopitar: Alex Ovechkin has won the last two of these and gets into the conversation again, but as good as he’s been, the East-leading Caps didn’t look much worse for wear during the six games he missed. Several goaltenders have been the real difference makers in their teams’ fortunes so far as well, but it’s hard to imagine where the Los Angeles Kings were it not for Kopitar’s breakout season. That makes LA’s league-leading scorer the choice here.
Vezina (Goalie) – Craig Anderson: Ryan Miller has stolen games for the Northeast-leading Buffalo Sabres, Miikka Kiprusoff has kept the Calgary Flames close to the top in their division and Ilya Bryzgalov is the biggest reason the Phoenix Coyotes have been so competitive. But did anyone expect the Colorado Avalanche to be anywhere but the race for the lottery pick? The Avs have been outshot in almost every game they’ve played, but Anderson has been in almost all, but he’s near the top in all key stat categories and the Avs are in first place. That’s Vezina worthy.
Norris (Defense) – Chris Pronger: The usual suspects like Nick Lidstrom and Zdeno Chara haven’t been particularly noteworthy so far, unlike another former winner Chris Pronger. He’s the choice again this time not only for his overall game, but for the impact he’s had on what is shaping up to be a very dangerous Flyers team. Chicago’s Duncan Keith, San Jose’s Dan Boyle and Kings teenager Drew Doughty have earned their props too, but Pronger is the big man on the blue line.
Calder (Rookie) – John Tavares: Tavares was put under a microscope at age 14 and little has changed since he was taken first overall by the Islanders last June. New York has studiously avoided labeling him a franchise savior, but its getting harder to avoid it since Tavares leads the team in scoring and the Islanders are in the playoff pack. In other words, he’s done everything he is supposed to. Freshmen Michael Del Zotto of the Rangers and Ryan O’Reilly of Colorado have made impacts as well, just not as critical as Tavares.
Adams (Coach) – Jacques Lemaire: Dave Tippett took over a messy situation in Phoenix just before the season started and has the Coyotes winning more often than not and thinking playoffs, which would have been outlandish only a few months ago. Rookie Joe Sacco had two losing seasons in the minor before taking over a Colorado team that was expected to finish 30th and the Avs are first in the Northwest. So kudos to them. But give this award to Lemaire, who has come back to New Jersey and adapted his strict defensive tendencies to the talent he now has. It has the Devils in first place.
Selke (Defensive forward): Mike Richards
Lady Byng (Sportsmanship): Zach Parise
Masterton (Perseverance): Dustin Penner.
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