So, Who'd You Pick?: NHL Awards Edition

LAS VEGAS, NV -- So, it's that time of year again. We're on the brink of the Stanley Cup Finals, which means by the middle of June, the NHL Awards will be in full swing in Las Vegas.

Though there aren't any Blackhawks nominated this year (which I have included a few in my 'snubs' category), I figured it'd be fun to make my picks as to who I think is most deserving of the awards this season.

I'll be honest, this was hard. There are a lot of people left off these short lists, and I think some pretty hefty snubs. So, without further ado, let's get right into it.

THE CALDER TROPHY

Nominations: Auston Matthews (TOR), Patrik Laine (WPG), Zach Werenski (CBJ) 

My pick: Auston Matthews (TOR)

Okay, I don't think this should be a surprise to anyone. I think Matthews is easily the best deserving of the Calder this season, given his impressive performance.  With a 40-goal and 69-point season, I think he's very well deserving. Even in the playoffs (which I know don't usually factor in this decision), he had four goals and an assist in just six games against the Washington Capitals. With four goals in his first NHL game, I think it's safe to say that this comes as no shock to anyone.

Snubs: Mitch Marner (TOR), Ryan Hartman (CHI), William Nylander (TOR)

 

THE NORRIS TROPHY

Nominations: Brent Burns (SJS), Erik Karlsson (OTT), Victor Hedman (TBL)

My pick: Brent Burns (SJS)

 My love for Brent Burns continued this season. He was so consistent and just an all around great player this season. I think it can be argued that Erik Karlsson was stronger in the playoffs, but I think over the course of the regular season, Burns was more impressive. With 76 points, he definitely proved that defensemen can get in on the goal-scoring fun as well. I think this one was probably one of the hardest for me to choose, but I think with Burns' scoring and end-to-end prowess, he's the most deserving.

Snub: PK Subban (NSH)

THE SELKE TROPHY

Nominations: Patrice Bergeron (BOS), Ryan Kesler (ANA), Mikko Koivu (MIN)

My pick: Patrice Bergeron (BOS)

Out of these three players, my choice might be unexpected and perhaps unpopular. But, Bergeron is one of those players that flies under the radar but goes above and beyond for his team. He was at +12 for the Bruins in the regular season this year, which is pretty impressive and a little unsurprising. He's arguably the Bruins' best player, and for a forward, he plays a two-way game that makes playing against him quite difficult. With 53 points (21-32--53) this season, you might not think he's as impressive as Kesler (22-36--58) or Koivu (18-40--58). But, I do think that he deserves to be recognized for this award again this year, and he's my choice without a ounce of doubt.

Snubs: Henrik Zetterberg (DET)

 

THE VEZINA TROPHY

Nominations: Braden Holtby (WSH), Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ), Carey Price (MTL)

My pick: Braden Holtby (WSH)

Yes, yes, I should pick Bobrovsky. Wait on him.

Let's talk about Braden Holtby, who is unarguably an elite goalie. With .207 GAA, .925 SV%, 42 wins, and nine shutouts, Holtby was incredible this season. I think it'd be pretty hard to choose against him. I think even in the playoffs, Holtby kept the Capitals in their series. Without him, I think it would have been difficult for the Capitals to really be a force on the ice. Holtby is one of those goalies that I don't think most players want to play against, simply because of his prowess. He's definitely deserving of this one.

(I think a great argument could be made for Bobrovsky, but I made it for the Hart Trophy instead of the Vezina. I wouldn't be surprised if he won both, honestly.)

Snubs: Devan Dubnyk (MIN), Scott Darling (CHI), Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)

 

THE HART TROPHY

Nominations: Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ), Sidney Crosby (PIT), Connor McDavid (EDM)

My pick: Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ) 

Okay, hear me out. Crosby and McDavid are great, and 100% vital to their teams. But Sergei Bobrovsky blows both of them out of the water in my books. He was such a pivotal part of Columbus' amazing season, and without him in net, I'm not sure they would have been as good as they were. And I fully believe that a team is only as good as the goalie can be--because at the end of the day, if you have great offense and defense, but your goaltending is shoddy, you won't get very far. He had the lowest GAA this season with only 2.06, and led the league with a .931 SV%--not to mention he was third in the league with wins (41) and fourth in shutouts (7). Bobrovsky is deserving here.

Snubs: Michael Grabner (NYR), Nicklas Backstrom (WSH)

 

THE JACK ADAMS TROPHY

Nominations: Mike Babcock (TOR), Todd McClellan (EDM), John Tortorella (CBJ)

My pick: Mike Babcock (TOR)

I think it would be pretty hard to ignore the success of the Maple Leafs this year--especially when compared with last year's last-place-in-the-league finish. A lot of that is due to Mike Babcock. He's definitely been a force on the bench, and like I said, it would be hard to ignore the successful season he led the Leafs to. It'll be interesting to see what they can do next season--I think with their semi-seasoned rookies and younger guys now, they'll definitely be a force to be reckoned with again next season, and I love watching them and Babcock's inventive and impressive lines.

Snubs: Joel Quenneville (CHI), Barry Trotz (WSH)

 

THE TED LINDSAY TROPHY

Nominations: Brent Burns (SJS), Sidney Crosby (PIT), Connor McDavid (EDM)

My pick: Brent Burns (SJS)

Obviously, I'm not a player, so I can't vouch for him in that way, but I can in a variety of other ways. As far as players go, I think he's one that doesn't get on a whole lot of players' nerves--he's such a relaxed guy and really just wants to have a good time playing hockey. On top of that, he's incredibly impressive. As I said earlier, with 76 points and a +19, he certainly proved that defensemen can be good at scoring and defending. He's certainly deserving of this award, but I wouldn't be surprised if it went to either Crosby or McDavid. I think this one's a bit of a toss-up, given the popularity of both Crosby and McDavid, but my pick will definitely be Burns.

Snubs: PK Subban (NSH)

THE LADY BYNG TROPHY

Nominations: Johnny Gaudreau (CGY), Vladimir Tarasenko (STL), Mikael Granlund (MIN)

My pick: Vladimir Tarasenko (STL)

I know this choice might come as a surprise, coming from a Blackhawks fan. But, if you haven't seen Vladimir Tarasenko's videos with Arianna Dougan, a little girl with cancer who loves him, you probably don't know why I chose him for this award. The videos are absolutely heartwarming, and I know that for Tarasenko to take so much of his day (that are usually game days) to meet with her and check in on her, likely means the world to her and her family. Tarasenko also has barely taken any penalties this season, amounting to only 12 minutes. I think he's pretty deserving of this one.

(If you haven't seen the videos, take a look at this, this, and this.)

Snubs: Marian Hossa (CHI), Brandon Saad (CBJ)

 

THE MASTERTON TROPHY

Nominations: Derek Ryan (CAR), Craig Anderson (OTT), Andrew Cogliano (ANA)

My pick: Craig Anderson (OTT)

I think this one comes without surprise. His wife was diagnosed with cancer early in the season, and though he took a small leave of absence from the game, he came back with a fire in his belly. He had a great season with Ottawa this year, posting a .926 SV% and five shutouts--including the one right after the news broke about his wife's cancer. He's definitely had a career year, and I would definitely not expect him to drop next year. Anderson has certainly proved himself this offseason as well, and he's definitely a goalie to watch.

 Snubs: Bryan Bickell (CAR), Patrick Sharp (DAL), Steven Stamkos (TBL)

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So, those are my picks--who would you choose for each award? Who do you think got snubbed this season? Do you agree or disagree with what I've chosen? Let me know! I'm really curious to see who you would choose.