NHL Awards 2012: Bold Predictions for Every Award

Just over a week ago, the Los Angeles Kings took down the New Jersey Devils in the finals for their first Stanley Cup victory in franchise history.  While the Kings are still celebrating their championship, it’s time for everyone else to celebrate the 2012 season with the NHL Awards, which will be held in Las Vegas this year.

Each year the NHL singles out several individuals for their outstanding performance or contribution to the game.  There are 12 major pieces of hardware given out and three nominees per award. 

While dozens of hopefuls will be waiting to hear their name called later tonight, this article will give you an inside scoop on who the favorites to win each award are.

Hart Memorial Trophy

Awarded to: NHL’s Most Valuable Player

Nominees:

Henrik Ludqvist, G, New York Rangers

Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

Favorite to win: Evgeni Malkin was the Penguins leading scorer in 2011-12 with 109 total points, nearly 30 points more than Pittsburgh’s second leading scorer, James Neal.  Malkin’s production was very balanced with 50 goals and 59 assists.  With superstar Sidney Crosby out of the lineup for most of the season, Malkin stepped up, filled the void and led his team to the playoffs.

Vezina Trophy

Awarded to: Best Goaltender

Nominees:

Henrik Ludqvist, G, New York Rangers

Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville Predators

Jonathan Quick, G, Los Angeles Kings

Favorite to win: Since Henrik Lundqvist was also nominated for the Hart Memorial Trophy, he should be the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy.  Lundqvist posted an impressive 1.97 goals against average and 39 wins in 2011-12.  The Rangers made it to the Eastern Conference finals and Lundqvist was a huge part of his team’s success.

James Norris Memorial Trophy

Awarded to: Best Defenseman

Nominees:

Zdeno Chara, D, Boston Bruins

Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators

Shea Weber, D, Nashville Predators

Favorite to win: Erik Karlsson was the leading scorer among NHL defenders in 2011-12 with 19 goals and 59 assists.  His 16 +/- was impressive last season and helped his Senators reach the playoffs.  According to USA Today, Karlsson just recently agreed to a seven-year $45.5 million contract extension with the senators.

Calder Memorial Trophy

Awarded to: Best Rookie

Nominees:

Adam Henrique, C, New Jersey Devils

Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Edmonton Oilers

Favorite to win: Adam Henrique had incredible production in his rookie season considering the veteran talent he had to compete with for ice time.  Henrique had 51 points in the 2011-12 regular season.  He continued to play well deep into the playoffs, scoring five goals and eight assists as his Devils made their way to the Stanley Cup finals.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Awarded to: Player with best sportsmanship

Nominees:

Brian Campbell, D, Florida Panthers

Jordan Eberle, RW, Edmonton Oilers

Matt Moulson, LW, New York Islanders

Favorite to win: The Islanders have not enjoyed much success lately, but Matt Moulson is one player who has handled it well.  Even though his team only managed 34 wins, Moulson was a big contributor to the New York offense last year with 69 points.

Frank J. Selke Trophy

Awarded to: Forward who excels the most defensively

Nominees:

David Backes, C, St. Louis Blues

Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston Bruins

Pavel Datsyuk, C, Detroit Red Wings

Favorite to win: While Patrice Bergeron scored 64 points in 2011-12, he was also a very defensive minded forward.  Bergeron only took 191 shots on goal and his +/- was 36, proving that when Bergeron is on the ice, the opposition has difficulty scoring.

Jack Adams Award

Awarded to: Best coach

Nominees:

Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues

Paul Maclean, Ottawa Senators

John Tortorella, New York Rangers

Favorite to win: Members of the media may not be too fond of John Tortorella after his demeaning press conferences, but the fact of the matter is that Tortorella is a winning coach.  Last year he took his Rangers squad to the Eastern Conference finals in addition to a conference-leading 109 points.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

Awarded to: Most dedicated player

Nominees:

Daniel Alfredsson, RW, Ottawa Senators

Joffrey Lupul, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Max Pacioretty, LW, Montreal Canadiens

Favorite to win: Max Pacioretty may be best known for getting his bell rung by Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara in March of 2011.  The hit left Pacioretty with a fractured vertebrae and a concussion.  Pacioretty came back in 2011-12 to score 65 goals for his Canadiens.

Ted Lindsay Award

Awarded to: Most outstanding player (voted by members of the NHLPA)

Nominees:

Henrik Lundvist, G, New York Rangers

Evgeni  Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

Favorite to win: Henrik Lundqvist may get more attention as a nominee for the Ted Lindsay Award than the Hart Memorial Trophy since the voters are NHL players.  There are plenty of shooters in the NHL who have been frustrated by Lundvist’s phenomenal performance.  That frustration may earn the Rangers goalie a few extra votes.

Bridgestone Messier Leadership Award

Awarded to: Best leader on and off the ice

Nominees:

Dustin Brown, RW, Los Angeles Kings

Ryan Callahan, RW, New York Rangers

Shane Doan, RW, Phoenix Coyotes

Favorite to win: Dustin Brown was the fearless leader and captain of the Los Angeles Kings.  He stepped up in the playoffs, scoring a team-leading 20 points.  Brown led his Kings to their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.

NHL Foundation Award

Awarded to: Player who most enriches the lives of the people living in his community

Nominees:

Mike Fisher, C, Nashville Predators

John-Michael Liles, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Matt Moulson, LW, New York Islanders

Favorite to win: While all three are likely candidates to win the award, Mike Fisher may be the most liked player across the league, making him the favorite to win the NHL Foundation Award.

General Manager of the Year

Awarded to: Best GM

Nominees:

Doug Armstrong, St. Louis Blues

David Poile, Nashville Predators

Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers

Favorite to win: Doug Armstrong turned the St. Louis Blues around in 2011-12. From 2005-2010, the Blues only qualified for the playoffs one time.  Armstrong made moves last season; they brought in head coach Ken Hitchcock, which resulted in 49 wins on the season and a first place finish in the Central Division.