Detroit Red Wings

One man's picks for an NHL Awards Show that lacks clear cut winners

With the NHL Awards Show taking place Wednesday evening here are my picks in some of the major categories.
It’s certainly different this year. Most years there are clear cut favorites. But not tomorrow night. Many of these awards could go to each of the three finalists in the different categories.
Here’s my picks:
HART (MVP) – Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh – Best all around player in the league this season, and helped Penguins overcome the loss of Sidney Crosby.
NORRIS (best defenseman) – Shea Weber, Nashville – Many feel Weber should have won it last year, over Nicklas Lidstrom.
SELKE (best defensive forward) – David Backes, St. Louis – Pavel Datsyuk had a very good season but Backes deserves credit for his work as the best defensive forward on the league’s best defensive team.
VEZINA (best goalie) – Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers – You can make an argument that Lundqvist deserves the Hart, never mind just the Vezina.
CALDER (best rookie) – Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado – Any of the three finalists are good choices, but Landeskog’s work at both ends of the ice stood out.
LADY BYNG (sportsmanship, gentlemanly play) Brian Campbell, Florida – Only six penalty minutes for a defenseman who plays as much as Campbell does is impressive.
JACK ADAMS (coach of the year) – Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis – The Blues were a different team as soon as Hitchcock took over.

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