Handing out NHL Awards to Locked out Stars

Just because the NHL Lockout continues to drag on doesn't mean hockey isn't being played at an elite level this winter. Dozens of NHL stars have flocked to Europe's elite leagues, and they have certainly brought their world-class talent with them. 

As 2012 draws to its close, it is a great time to offer some of the NHL's best some recognition for their overseas play.

Considering players from Switzerland's National League A, the Czech Republic's Extraliga, Finland's SM-liiga, Russia's KHL and North America's AHL, let's hand out lockout awards to the best of the best. 

Hart Trophy: MVP

Tyler Seguin

NHL Team: Boston Bruins

Lockout Team: EHC Biel, National League A (Switzerland)

Tyler Seguin has been unstoppable in 26 games for EHC Biel. The former second overall draft pick leads all locked out NHL stars with 24 goals. Playing on the same line as Chicago's Patrick Kane, the 20-year-old Seguin has averaged 1.46 points per game. 

After becoming Boston's leading scorer in just his second season, the youngster has become a bona fide superstar displaying elite speed, vision and sniping ability. Considered to be a Hart Trophy dark horse after a hot start in 2011-12, Seguin looks prepared to compete for the NHL's highest individual honor for years to come. 

Honorable Mention:

Evgeni Malkin—Pittsburgh Penguins / Mettallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL—Russia)

The defending Hart Trophy winner has been spectacular in his home country. Malkin has 41 points in 29 games. 

Erik Karlsson—Ottawa Senators / Jokerit (SM-liiga—Finland)

After winning the Norris Trophy in just his third NHL season, Karlsson has led Jokerit to first place in the SM-liiga with 24 points in 27 games, more than any other defenseman in Finland. 

Art Ross Trophy: Most Points

Jaromir Jagr

NHL Team: Dallas Stars

Lockout Team: Rytiri Kladno, Extraliga (Czech Republic)

Five-time Art Ross Trophy winner Jaromir Jagr has regained his old form back in his hometown of Kladno. 

The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer has yet to play his first game with the Dallas Stars, which inked him to a one-year deal in July, but fans in Texas can't wait for his arrival. He leads all locked out NHL stars in points with 43 in 27 Extraliga Games. 

Honorable Mention: 

Linus Omark—Edmonton Oilers / EV Zug (National League A—Switzerland)

The 25-year-old Linus Omark split time between the Oilers and their AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City last season, but finally looks prepared to be a regular in the big leagues with 43 points in 29 games. 

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: Most Goals

Tyler Seguin

NHL Team: Boston Bruins

Lockout Team: EHC Biel, National League A (Switzerland)

Tyler Seguin's 24 goals are the most of any NHL player in Europe. He sits atop the Swiss National League scoring chart, far ahead of players like Rick Nash, Joe Thornton and John Tavares. 

Seguin is averaging .923 goals per game and has three hat tricks in 26 games for EHC Biel. 

Honorable Mention: 

Tomas Plekanec—Montreal Canadiens / Rytiri Kladno (Extraliga—Czech Republic)

Playing alongside Jaromir Jagr in the Czech Extraliga, Plekanec has 20 goals in 28 games. 

James Norris Memorial Trophy: Best Defenseman

Erik Karlsson

NHL Team: Ottawa Senators

Lockout Team: Jokerit, SM-liiga (Finland)

The defending Norris Trophy winner, Erik Karlsson has no intention of giving up the award. The Swede has taken Finland by storm. 

He has driven his team to first place in the SM-liiga with seven goals and 17 assists in 27 contests. He leads the league in points by a defenseman with 24 and has a plus-9 rating for the season. 

Honorable Mention:

Victor Hedman—Tampa Bay Lightning / Barys Astana (KHL—Russia)

The former second overall pick has thrived in Russia, ranking 11th in plus-minus (plus-15) and eighth in points by a defenseman (19). 

Vezina Trophy: Best Goaltender

Semyon Varlamov

NHL Team: Colorado Avalanche

Lockout Team: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Kontinental Hockey League (Russia)

Colorado Avalanche netminder Semyon Varlamov has been a brick wall back in his home country. The 24-year-old ranks first in the KHL in both goals-against average (1.63) and save percentage (95.1). 

He has just two regulation losses, and his superb play has led Lokomotiv Yaroslavl to second place in the KHL's West division. 

Honorable Mention:

Tuukka Rask—Boston Bruins / HC Plzen (Extraliga—Czech Republic)

Preparing to fill the void left by Tim Thomas in Boston, Tuukka Rask dominated in the Czech Republic. Before returning to North America in late November, he posted a 92.49 save percentage and a league-leading 2.11 goals-against average. 

Calder Memorial Trophy: Best Rookie

Justin Schultz

NHL Team: Edmonton Oilers

Lockout Team: Oklahoma City Barons, American Hockey League (United States)

Coveted 22-year-old Justin Schultz opted to sign with Edmonton in the summer, and has shown off his immense talent in the AHL this fall. 

Despite being a defenseman, the former University of Wisconsin Badger leads the AHL in points with 33, ahead of fellow Oiler Jordan Eberle who put up 76 points in the NHL last season. 

Honorable Mention: 

Damien Brunner—Detroit Red Wings / EV Zug (National League A—Switzerland)

The undrafted 26-year-old Damien Brunner signed with the Detroit Red Wings in the summer and leads the Swiss National League with 48 points in 27 games, likely earning him a roster spot in Hockeytown when the lockout ends. 

Frank J. Selke Trophy: Best Defensive-Forward

Henrik Zetterberg

NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings

Lockout Team: EV Zug, National League A (Switzerland)

Zetterberg ranks third in the Swiss National League A with a plus-19 rating in just 17 games. Averaging 1.647 points per game, his offensive production has been incredible but his defensive game has been just as good. 

EV Zug has received a major boost on both ends of the ice every time he hops over the boards. 

Honorable Mention:

Patrice Bergeron—Boston Bruins / HC Lugano (National League A—Switzerland)

The defending Selke Trophy winner has been his usual self for HC Lugano. He has a plus-9 rating in 18 games with 28 points.