Trophy Candidates
Apr 26, 2008 14:53:50 GMT -5
Post by V-HAB on Apr 26, 2008 14:53:50 GMT -5
Here are the official trophy candidates, as read on NHL.com:
Calder Cup (Rookie of the Year)
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)
Norris Trophy (Best Defensemen)
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability)
Selke Trophy ( Best defensive Forward)
Calder Cup (Rookie of the Year)
They were 1-2-3 in the NHL's rookie scoring race and they are the final three contenders for the Calder Trophy.
Forwards Patrick Kane, Nicklas Backstrom and Jonathan Toews were announced as the finalists for the rookie award Wednesday, the cream of the crop in a season where many fresh faces made a strong case for themselves.
The Calder Trophy is voted on by selected members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.
And the writers had their hands full this season with a long list of impressive rookies, including goaltender Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens, forward Peter Mueller of the Phoenix Coyotes, forwards Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano of the Edmonton Oilers, centre Brandon Dubinsky of the New York Rangers, winger Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins, and defencemen Tobias Enstrom of the Atlanta Thrashers, Tom Gilbert of the Oilers and Erik Johnson of the St. Louis Blues.
Forwards Patrick Kane, Nicklas Backstrom and Jonathan Toews were announced as the finalists for the rookie award Wednesday, the cream of the crop in a season where many fresh faces made a strong case for themselves.
The Calder Trophy is voted on by selected members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.
And the writers had their hands full this season with a long list of impressive rookies, including goaltender Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens, forward Peter Mueller of the Phoenix Coyotes, forwards Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano of the Edmonton Oilers, centre Brandon Dubinsky of the New York Rangers, winger Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins, and defencemen Tobias Enstrom of the Atlanta Thrashers, Tom Gilbert of the Oilers and Erik Johnson of the St. Louis Blues.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)
The NHL announced the Vezina Trophy nominees Monday and Martin Brodeur was again among the finalists for goaltender of the year. The New Jersey Devils star was joined for the first time by Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks and for the third consecutive season by Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.
Vancouver's Luongo, who challenged Brodeur for the Vezina Trophy last year did not get enough support for a nomination this season. The NHL's 30 GMs vote on the Vezina Trophy.
Vancouver's Luongo, who challenged Brodeur for the Vezina Trophy last year did not get enough support for a nomination this season. The NHL's 30 GMs vote on the Vezina Trophy.
Norris Trophy (Best Defensemen)
Only Zdeno Chara and Dion Phaneuf stand in the way of Nicklas Lidstrom winning a sixth Norris Trophy.
The three finalists for the award that goes to the NHL's top defenseman were announced Tuesday. Lidstrom has won the honor five of the past six seasons.
The Detroit Red Wings captain, who earned his ninth career nomination, is tied with Ray Bourque with five Norris Trophies. A sixth would leave him alone in third place behind arguably the two greatest blue-liners ever - Doug Harvey (seven Norris Trophies) and Bobby Orr (eight).
The three finalists for the award that goes to the NHL's top defenseman were announced Tuesday. Lidstrom has won the honor five of the past six seasons.
The Detroit Red Wings captain, who earned his ninth career nomination, is tied with Ray Bourque with five Norris Trophies. A sixth would leave him alone in third place behind arguably the two greatest blue-liners ever - Doug Harvey (seven Norris Trophies) and Bobby Orr (eight).
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability)
Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk, who has won the trophy in back-to-back years now, is joined by Tampa Bay right wing Martin St. Louis and Buffalo right wing Jason Pominville. St. Louis was last season's runner-up.
Selke Trophy ( Best defensive Forward)
Between the three of them they scored 94 goals and dished out 138 assists. That's some pretty decent offense for a trio of forwards being recognized for their defensive prowess.
Than again, in Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and John Madden, the three candidates for this year's Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the League's best defensive forward, you have three of the best two-way players in the game.
Datsyuk and Zetterberg have been known to lift the Detroit Red Wings with their offense, but that offense often is created by their near-flawless defense — which, most of the time, comes at the expense of the opposition's top line.
Madden is well-known as the New Jersey Devils' best shut-down forward and one of the best faceoff men on the planet. He is familiar with the Selke Trophy — he won it in 2001 and finished second in the voting in 2003 and 2004.
Than again, in Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and John Madden, the three candidates for this year's Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the League's best defensive forward, you have three of the best two-way players in the game.
Datsyuk and Zetterberg have been known to lift the Detroit Red Wings with their offense, but that offense often is created by their near-flawless defense — which, most of the time, comes at the expense of the opposition's top line.
Madden is well-known as the New Jersey Devils' best shut-down forward and one of the best faceoff men on the planet. He is familiar with the Selke Trophy — he won it in 2001 and finished second in the voting in 2003 and 2004.
