2008 Armer Award: As Presented by The Bleacher Report NHL Community Leaders

With the playoffs over, I am now able to come to a moment I had been looking forward to all postseason: It’s time to give out the Armer Award—the Award to the Top NHL Player as nominated by Bleacher Report, and chosen by me.

This year saw two goalies battle it out for a top finish, but in the end the original frontrunners won out. (nominations found here)

First, let me describe to those who may not know what the Armer Award is about. The Armer Award will be selected every year after the playoffs for the most selfless and driven player who puts the team above himself. Copying a quote from my original article for nominations:

“Points, goals, and penalty minutes make no difference, sometimes the stats we pay the most attention to matter the least. Last year's Armer award recipient was Andy McDonald, for his clutch play in the playoffs and being the silent backbone of the Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks.”

This year’s top three was a battle right down to the finish.

The finalists were Chris Osgood, goaltender for the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings; Alexander Ovechkin, Left Wing for the Washington Capitals; and Brenden Morrow, Left Wing for the Dallas Stars.

The third place runner-up ended up being Alexander Ovechkin. He led his team to the playoffs and was not only a face for hockey, but for the franchise. He is always finishing a check and lighting the lamp. This is Ovechkin’s first nomination and he will surely find himself among the list of winners in years to come.

And now the moment some on Bleacher Report have been waiting for: The 2008 Armer Award goes to…Brenden Morrow of the Dallas Stars!

This is Morrow’s second nomination and first win.

Appearing in all 82 Stars games, Morrow scored 32 goals and 42 assists for 74 points. He also gained himself 105 penalty minutes; he's a real leader in all aspects. In the playoffs Morrow became a fan favorite in Dallas at another level, recording the game-winning goal to seal the series against the San Jose Sharks.

In 18 postseason games Morrow recorded 9 goals and 6 assists for 15 points and 22 penalty minutes.

Morrow is much more to the Stars than a scoring threat. He is an emotional leader. He is never afraid to toss the gloves and will always fight for every inch of ice.

Back in 1997, Morrow was Dallas’ 1^st round choice, 15^th overall. He would grow as a player, learning from now father-in-law Guy Carbonneau, and boyhood idol Brett Hull.

To establish evidence for this Award, I will reference two video clips:

The hit at the end of regulation laid by Morrow would put the Sharks overtime scoring threat out for the overtimes, allowing Morrow later in the 4^th

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