Its a recognition of individual achievement in a great team sport. The time has come around for the National Hockey League to hand out the hardware. Sure the big award of the Stanley Cup has yet to be presented, but the league did recognize the best of the best for the 2019-20 regular season. Yes, it wasn't as glitzy as we have had in years past. That plan was cut short by COVID and the awards weren't held in Vegas, but instead done virtually. Still, this was a chance for the best and brightest in the NHL to get their due.
Here's how the awards went down for the 2019-20 NHL Season.
Art Ross (Leading Scorer): Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers (110 Points)
Rocket Richard (Leading Goal Scorer): Alex Ovechkin Washington & David Pastrňák Boston (48 Goals)
Jennings Trophy (Lowest Goals Against Average) Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halák, Boston Bruins
Mark Messier Leadership Award (Awarded to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season): Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
Lady Bing Trophy (Awarded to the player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability): Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Bill Masterton Trophy (Awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey): Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators
King Clancy Trophy (Awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community): Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild
Ted Lindsey Award (warded to the NHL's outstanding player as selected by the members of the NHL Players Association): Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Jim Gregory GM Of The Year Award (Awarded to the top National Hockey League General Manager): Lou Lamoriello, New York Islanders
How Lou went about building up this Islanders team is pretty amazing. The other two guys who were finalists, Julian BresBois of Tampa and Jim Nill of Dallas, are currently facing off in the Cup Finals. Both of those clubs had high expectations going into the season. New York wasn't pegged by many people to be a conference finals team, yet they came within two wins of playing for hockey's ultimate prize. What Lou did getting this team together is pretty amazing.
Selke Trophy (Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game): Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers
Couturier was a solid offensive piece for the Flyers this year, scoring 22 goals and adding 39 helpers. But it was his prowess in his own end, and in the faceoff dot (59.6% which lead the league). He helped the Flyers cut down on opposition scoring chances as the year went on. He was a big reason why the Flyers stayed near the top of the Metro division race for most of the season.
Jack Adams Award (Awarded to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success): Bruce Cassidy, Boston Bruins
You could make an argument for the other two guys who were finalists for this award as well. Vigeanult had the Flyers right there with Washington for most of the back half of the season and into the playoffs. Same thing with Tortorella in Columbus, in being able to build off the success of last season (sure playoff result wasn't what they wanted but this is a regular season award). Cassidy walked away with the Adams because he had the Bruins performing like a team on a mission this season. Best record in the league, and the only club in the league this year to finish with 100 points. Oh yeah, and the special teams were good too, with the Power Play being 2nd in the league, while Penalty Kill was 3rd best. And he had the best goalie tandom in the league with Rask and Halak. Pretty easy choice in my mind.
Calder Trophy (Rookie Of The Year): Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
It was pretty much a two horse race for the Calder between Makar and Quinn Hughes of the Canucks. Not to take away from what Hughes did for Vancouver, scoring 53 points on a good, young, Vancouver team. But Makar was a better all around performer for Colorado. I know its two different positions. Makar had a bigger impact on the game. He scored 50 points, including 12 goals (compared to 8 for Hughes). And he helpd the Avs to a higher finish in the West compared to the Canucks. He's also the 12th defenseman to win the Calder, the first one to nab the award since Aaron Ekblad of the Panthers in 2015.
Norris Trophy (Awarded to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position): Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
Victor Hedman had a solid year for Tampa, and there's strong consideration here too for John Carlson in Washington. Carlson had the better offensive season in Washington, finishing with ten more points than Josi did. But the reason the award went to Josi is because he was a little bit better in his own end of the ice than Carlson was. That's not to take away from the year Carlson had in Washington by any means. The award is given to the best all around defenseman in the league. this year it was Josi in Nashville.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie): Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Tuukka Rask in Boston and Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa both had fine season, but this one seemed almost a lock that Hellebuyck was going to win the award. 31 wins (of the 37 total the Jets had), in 56 games. Lead the league in shots faced, saves and shutouts this season, while finishing 2nd in wins and minutes played. The guy pretty much did it all, and was almost automatic, in the Winnipeg net this year. They aren't in the qualifying round against the Flames this year if it was't for Conor's play between the pipes.
Hart Trophy (League MVP): Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
This one I'm a tad surprised by. Nothing against the leagues leading scorer on the season, who deserved the award voted on by the players. But was he really the most valuable to his team? I'm not really sure. Here's the way I look at it, and I've said this all the time. If you take him out of the Oilers lineup, does it take that big of a hit? A little, but they still have Conor McDavid. You take Panarin out of the Rangers lineup, they are a much different team. MacKinnon can be right in between with the Colorado lineup. Hey, all three guys had amazing seasons this year, but I feel Panarin should have finished higher than 3rd honestly. He was, in my mind, the best player in the league this year. End of the day, looking at the numbers, it has the same vibe to it as when Taylor hall won the award with the Devils two years ago. Leon was just that much better (aside from McDavid) then some of the other talent on his team
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