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2002-2003 NHL
Awards Predictions
June 12, 2003 - By David Smith & Matt Cesaretti
Monday night
the hockey world saw New Jersey captain Scott Stevens and
the rest of the Devils take the Stanley Cup from NHL
Commissioner Gary Bettman for the third time in nine
years, signaling the end of the 2002-2003 hockey season.
Just before that happened, Mighty Ducks’ goaltender
Jean-Sebastian Giguere skated away with the Conn Smythe
Trophy as the playoffs’ MVP, much to Devils fans dismay.
But just because the sports major trophies have been decided
doesn't mean there isn't plenty to still be decided.
Thursday night, all the stars will be on hand in Toronto
to hand out the rest of the hardware, we thought we'd give
you our predictions.
Hart Memorial Trophy
The Hart Memorial Trophy
is awarded annually "to the player adjudged to be the most
valuable to his team", as selected by the Professional
Hockey Writers' Association.
Actual Winner:
Peter
Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche
David's Winner:
Peter
Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche
Matt's Winner: Peter
Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche
David's Synopsis: Brodeur led all
goaltenders in victories with 41, shutouts with 9, and was
fourth in goals-against average at 2.02. Brodeur’s 40-win
season was his fourth, and for the eighth consecutive
year, he hit the 30-win mark, both NHL records. Naslund
finished second among scorers with a career-best 104
points, and led the NHL in power-play points and
game-winning goals. Naslund
and Brodeur both had excellent seasons, but Forsberg is in
a class of his own this year, so he gets my vote as the
2003 Hart Trophy winner. Once Joe Sakic went down with a
serious injury Forsberg put the Avalanche on his back and
carried them to a ninth straight division title.
Additionally, the Swede led the NHL in scoring with 29
goals and 77 assists in just 75 games.
Matt's Synopsis:
Forsberg flat out dominated on this ice. He had the
ability to actually control the game; something very rare
in today’s NHL. Brodeur and Naslund both had great
seasons, but they never reached the level Forsberg was
playing at. Forsberg wins hands down, in my opinion.
Lester B. Pearson Award
The Lester B. Pearson
Award is an annual award presented to the National Hockey
League's outstanding player as selected by the members of
the NHL Players' Association.
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Forsberg |
Naslund |
Thornton |
Actual Winner:
Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks
David's Winner:
Peter
Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche
Matt's Winner: Peter
Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche
David's Synopsis:
Sure, Markus Naslund put up
great numbers but most of those came on the power play,
five-on-five he's not as much of a threat to score as the
other two candidates. Bruins fans saw Joe Thornton's game
take a huge step towards superstar status, but his
gamesmanship definitely could use some fine tuning. I find
it hard to believe many players will vote for a guy who
uses his stick as if it's a legal utility. Forsberg;
again, gets my vote, even if you ignore Forsberg's value
to his team for a second, he was simply the best player in
the league for most of the season. That's what the Pearson
Award is all about.
Matt's Synopsis:
I think if you asked the NHL players who they would have
rather dealt with this past season between Forsberg & Naslund, they would have picked Naslund. Forsberg alone
would take on 2-3 guys on at once. He was a physical force
& his talent almost goes unmatched around the league. I
don’t think any defenseman in the league would ever say
they had an easy time defending Peter Forsberg.
James Norris Memorial Trophy
The James Norris Trophy
is awarded annually "to the defense player who
demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around
ability in the position", selected by the Professional
Hockey Writers' Association.
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Hatcher |
Lidstrom |
MacInnis |
Actual Winner:
Niklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
David's Winner:
Niklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
Matt's Winner:
Niklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
David's Synopsis:
This has to be one of the
closest Norris races I can ever remember. Let me start off
by saying that Derian Hatcher doesn't even belong in this
category, as far as I'm concerned he's the biggest
cheapshot artist in the league and even mentioning his
name here is disgusting. MacInnis had a great season,
leading all NHL defensemen in scoring with 16 goals, and
52 assists in 80 games. MacInnis deserves a lot of credit
for brining along Calder candidate Barret Jackman and
making Chris Pronger's absence look like nothing, some
people argue for those reasons 'Chopper' deserves another
Norris. You won't find me as being one of them though,
what a defensemen does for his team has nothing to
do with the Norris trophy, for this reason my vote goes
for Red Wings defenseman Nik Lidstrom. Lidstrom is
shooting for his third straight Norris in his
sixth-straight nomination, and he deserves all of it. The
quiet Red Wings star had another ho-hum spectacular
season, scoring 18 goals, and adding 44 assists, third
best among defensemen. Perhaps even more impressive was
his 38 penalty minutes, and his +40 plus-minus rating, third best in
the NHL and tops among defensemen. Lidstrom also led the
league in ice time, averaging 29:20 per game. He may play
for the Red Wings, but I won't let that cloud my judgment,
Lidstrom was the best defensemen. . .again.
Matt's Synopsis:
It’s amazing how quietly Lidstrom puts up such great
numbers. He’s a defenseman and put up 18 goals & 44
assists. Those are very impressive stats. I don’t think
Lidstrom will have a tough time winning the Norris again.
Frank J. Selke Trophy
The Frank J. Selke Trophy
is awarded annually "to the forward who best excels in the
defensive aspects of the game", as selected by the
Professional Hockey Writers' Association.
Actual Winner:
Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars
David's Winner:
John Madden, New Jersey Devils
Matt's Winner:
John Madden, New
Jersey Devils
David's Synopsis:
This award has always been a
little difficult to judge, this year is no different.
Lehtinen; who has already taken home this trophy in '98,
and '99, had another solid regular season with the Stars,
scoring 31 goals and adding 17 assists in 80 games. Walz
nomination was more of a representation of the team, as
there were a handful of Wild players that were deserving,
but the nomination is still well deserved. Walz scored 13
goals, and 19 assists, and as seen in the playoffs did an
excellent job checking the leagues top forwards. But
Devils center John Madden gets my vote, he is just
excellent, arguably the leagues top penalty killer. Madden
tallied 19 goals, and 22 assists for a career-high 41
points in 80 games. Even more impressive is his 38 penalty
minutes, and +13
plus-minus rating given he sees the opponents top stars
night in, and night out.
Matt's Synopsis:
As David mentioned, this is a hard award to judge. All
three nominees have a great shot at winning it, but I
think Madden was the better of the three. Walz comes in a
very close 2nd.
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is
awarded annually "to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the
best at his position," as voted by League General
Managers.
Actual Winner:
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey
Devils
David's Winner:
Marty Turco, Dallas Stars
Matt's Winner:
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey
Devils
David's Synopsis:
Belfour had a very good rebound year with the Maple Leafs,
despite all the pressure of playing in Toronto, whose fans
still think they're the center of the universe. He may not
win this year, but lets not forget how good Belfour was.
Brodeur had another spectacular season for the Devils, he
was tops in victories and shutouts, and added another Cup
to his resume. But the Vezina he deserves so much will
escape him yet again. As good as the previous nominees
were, Turco was just better. In his first season as a #1
goaltender Turco did not make fans think twice about the
loss of Belfour. Turco posted a 31-10-10 record, had 7
shutouts, and a sickening 1.72 GAA and .932 save
percentage -- both tops in the league. If he had not
suffered a late season injury Turco would've challenged
Brodeur for wins and shutouts.
Matt's Synopsis:
Brodeur faces some tough competition with the season Turco
had. But, I think Brodeur will finally get the long
awaited Vezina this year to top off a Cup season. Turco
proved a lot of critics wrong who said Dallas wouldn’t
remain an elite team without Belfour in net. Speaking of
which, Belfour had a very nice rebound season in Toronto.
But, I can’t see him beating out Brodeur or Turco for the
award.
Calder Memorial Trophy
The Calder Memorial
Trophy is awarded annually "to the player selected as the
most proficient in his first year of competition in the
National Hockey League", as selected by the Professional
Hockey Writers' Association.
Actual Winner:
Barret Jackman, St. Louis
Blues
David's Winner:
Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
Matt's Winner:
Barret Jackman, St. Louis
Blues
David's Synopsis:
This is a tougher one to
judge than most years, at issue is comparing the raw skill
and ability of a forward to the quick development of a
stay-at-home defensemen. Blues defenseman Barret
Jackman had a great season for the Blues, it was his
amazing development and emergence that eased the loss of
Chris Pronger. Rick Nash
had a very good first season with the Blue Jackets, and
looks to have a very bright future in the NHL. The Blue
Jackets have to be pleased that the 2002 #1 pick looks
everything like the power forward he was touted as. But my
vote goes to the Red Wings Swedish sensation, Henrik
Zetterberg. The kid who idolized Peter Forsberg growing up
shares a lot of the same skills. His 22 goals, and 44
points led all rookies, but his two-way game was what
impressed me the most. In the Red Wings games I saw this
year, Zetterberg was out there killing penalties, an
impressive skill for any young player.
Matt's Synopsis:
I’ll go out on a limb here and go with the stay-at-home
defenseman for the award. Jackman might have been the
Blues best defenseman this year. He eased the loss of
Pronger and made a name for himself in the NHL. Zetterberg
was also very impressive, but he was on a team who is
loaded with all-stars. He didn’t have nearly as much
responsibility as Jackman did.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng Memorial
Trophy is awarded annually "to the player adjudged to have
exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly
conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability",
as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers'
Association.
Actual Winner:
Alexander Mogilny, Toronto Maple Leafs
David's Winner:
Mike Modano, Dallas Stars
Matt's Winner:
Mike Modano, Dallas Stars
David's Synopsis:
This award is generally a
toss-up in a lot of cases, all three players are probably
deserving. Lidstrom had more penalty minutes this year
than in years past, for that reason I don't think he
should win. Mogilny has always been a Lady-Byng type of
guy, scoring plenty but letting others fight his battles
for him. But I give the nod to Modano, who led the Stars
in scoring with 28 goals, and 57 assists. He was also a
+34, and accumulated just 24 penalty minutes. It seems
fitting that Modano would take home the Lady Byng in a
season in which he reached major milestones; his 600th
assist, 1,000th point, and 1,000th game.
Matt's Synopsis:
As David said, this one is basically up for grabs. I’ll go
with Mike Modano.
Bill Masterton
Memorial Trophy
The Bill Masterton
Memorial Trophy is an annual award under the trusteeship
of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and is
given to the National Hockey League player who best
exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship,
and dedication to hockey.
Actual Winner:
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings
David's Winner:
Steve Rucchin, Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Matt's Winner:
Steve Rucchin, Anaheim Mighty
Ducks
David's Synopsis:
Few awards are as satisfying and deserving as this one,
like every year all three candidates are well deserving.
Bryan Berard's story is one of perseverance at its finest,
after missing two seasons because of a serious eye injury
that made him lose much of his sight in his left eye
Berard returned in his hometown of Boston and had a solid
season for the Bruins. You can't help but admire what
Steve Yzerman went through to make it back onto the ice
last season, a knee realignment procedure, months of
grueling rehab, I don't know how he did it, but somehow,
someway the Red Wings captain made it back onto the ice in
the spring. But my vote goes to the Mighty Ducks forgotten
star in their improbable run to the Cup finals. After
seasons of serious injury after serious injury, the loss
of a brother to cancer, Rucchin somehow put aside his
professional and personal doubts and put together his best
all around season.
Matt's Synopsis:
After a number of serious injuries, losing his brother to
cancer, and facing an amazing amount of adversity in the
playoffs, Rucchin put is all aside and led his team. That
defines what this award is all about. Yzerman and Berard
both deserve it as well, but Rucchin will take this award
home.
Jack Adams Trophy
The Jack Adams Award is
awarded annually "to the NHL coach adjudged to have
contributed the most to his team's success", as selected
by the NHL Broadcasters' Association.
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Lemaire |
Martin |
Tortorella |
Actual Winner:
Jacques Lemaire, Minnesota Wild
David's Winner:
Jacques Lemaire, Minnesota Wild
Matt's Winner:
Jacques Lemaire, Minnesota
Wild
David's Synopsis:
One has to wonder why
Senators' coach Martin is even here? Granted, he led his
young team to a Presidents' Trophy season, but isn't that
expected from him by now? Mighty Ducks coach Dave Babcock
led his team to the second-best record the second-half of
the season, if you asked me a major snub has occurred. John
Tortorella is certainly a deserving candidate leading the
consistently underachieving Tampa Bay into the playoffs,
but lets face it, that had to happen at some point, their
emergence has a lot more to do with the players than the
coach. That leaves us with Lemaire, the 'genius' behind my
most hated NHL concept, the trap. In just their third
season Lemaire guided the Wild to the playoffs, with a
42-29-10-1 record, a 22 point improvement from the
previous year. No matter how much I dislike his style of
play, there's no denying that he got the most out of every
player, and coached his butt off, for that reason he gets
my vote.
Matt's Synopsis:
Lemaire took this group of pretenders and turned them into
contenders. They overachieved in a big way and a lot of
that is because of the man they had behind the bench. Many
dislike the system he used (me being one of them), but
there is no denying that he deserves this award.
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