Kassam's 2008-2009 NHL Awards

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WASHINGTON - MARCH 27: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates a Caps goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 27, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

As NHL fans, after the season and playoffs have ended, we go through the same night that honors those who have had excellence in the past season. We all look forward to the sexier awards, like the Hart, Vezina, and Norris, but noticing the recipients of the other awards is just as important.

Throughout this season, I have noticed different players who I believe should be nominated and should win these awards. I have three nominees for each category and, consequently, one winner.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 16: Steve Sullivan #26 of the Nashville Predators looks on during a break in NHL game action against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on March 16, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Predators defeated the Kings 4-3. (Pho

Criteria: Given to the player who shows perseverance to hockey.

Nominees: Alex Burrows (VAN), Steve Sullivan (NSH), Richard Zednik (FLA)

Winner: Steve Sullivan (NSH)

Many people may believe that this award should go to Richard Zednik due to the horrific injury that he suffered last year, but I have to go with Steve Sullivan. The guy has missed the better part of two years due to a back injury and has come back with a bang as an instant contributor.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 22: Martin St.Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Detroit Red Wings during their NHL pre-season game at Joe Louis Arena September 22, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Criteria: Given to the league's most gentlemanly player.

Nominees: Henrik Zetterberg (DET), Martin St. Louis (TB), Sergei Fedorov (WSH)

Winner: Martin St. Louis (TB)

Martin St. Louis is a great player, as well as a great person. He carries himself with a sense of pride and sportsmanship.

Frank J. Selke Trophy

NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the New York Rangers on April 9, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Criteria: Awarded to the league's top defensive forward.

Nominees: Ryan Kesler (VAN), Pavel Datsyuk (DET), Mike Richards (PHI)

Winner: Mike Richards (PHI)

The shorthanded king will come away with this one. Mike Richards is a defensive dynamo, who rarely makes mistakes on both ends of the ice.

Jack Adams Award

MONTREAL - JANUARY 24: Head coach Todd McLellan of the San Jose Sharks and Claude Julien of the Boston Bruins arrives for the Honda NHL Superskills competition as part of the 2009 NHL All-Star weekend on January 24, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal,

Criteria: Presented to the league's best coach.

Nominees: Andy Murray (STL), Todd McLellan (SJ), Claude Julien (BOS)

Winner: Claude Julien (BOS)

What Andy Murray has done with the Blues is incredible, and what Todd McLellan has done with the Sharks is magnificent as well. But to turn an eighth place team in a conference one year to the No. 1 team is what Claude Julien did with the Bruins and he gets my vote.

Calder Memorial Trophy

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 7: Steve Mason #1 of the Columbus Blue Jackets keeps an eye on the play in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 7, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Blue Jackets defeated the Red Wings 8-2 on the strength of a

Criteria: Awarded to the league's best rookie.

Nominees: Bobby Ryan (ANA), Steve Mason (CBJ), Kris Versteeg (CHI)

Winner: Steve Mason (CBJ)

This rookie goaltender has been the reason that the Blue Jackets are in the postseason. He has made the big saves and has won the big games.

Lester B. Pearson Award

PITTSBURGH - MARCH 25: Forward Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames on March 25, 2009 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Criteria: Given to the NHL's top player as voted by the NHLPA

Nominees: Alex Ovechkin (WSH), Evgeni Malkin (PIT), Zach Parise (NJ)

Winner: Evgeni Malkin (PIT)

I just feel that members of the NHLPA will believe Malkin has been better this year.

James Norris Memorial Trophy

WASHINGTON - MARCH 27: Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals takes the shot against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 27, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The Capitals defeated the Lightning 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Criteria: Awarded to the top defenseman in the league

Nominees: Mike Green (WSH), Zdeno Chara (BOS), Nicklas Lidstrom (DET)

Winner: Mike Green (WSH)

Chara has by far had the best defensive season out of all of these three, yet the fact that Mike Green was able to post 30+ goals, have a high + / -, and be great in the defensive end gets him the award.