The NHL Awards - who walks out of Vegas with hardware?

By Richard Obrand

Following a riveting and lengthy first-round that saw five of the eight matchups go the distance, the 2011 conference semi-finals are well under way.

If the first two games of each series are any indication of how the rest of the round will play out, then fans are certainly in for another exciting few weeks of NHL playoffs.

However, when the league announced its award finalists last week, pundits across the hockey spectrum found themselves drifting slightly away from the ice and more towards the ballot box.

Just like Canada did yesterday, the voices and talking heads of TSN, NBC, Versus, the CBC, RDS and various newspapers across the community were given the opportunity to vote for who they believe best represents the league in their respective categories.

Here now, is Obrand and Co.’s take.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship plus high standard of play)
Player Team Key Stats
Loui Eriksson Dallas 73 pts, 8 PIM
Nicklas Lidstrom Detroit 62 pts, 20 PIM
Martin St. Louis Tampa Bay 99 pts, 12 PIM

Will win: Martin St. Louis
Should win: Martin St. Louis

There are those who believe that this award belongs to the player who exemplifies the greatest amount of class and respect while playing a game that is quietly become a league with disgustingly low amounts of both. That being said, in the eyes of the purist this award should be divided between the three of them. Nicklas Lidstrom, Martin St. Louis and Loui Eriksson are clearly the class of the league. One can make an argument that Pavel Datsyuk belongs in this category as well. The reason why St. Louis should take home this award is most likely because of the ratio between his point total and penalty minutes. Though he was been caught on camera last game against the Capitals offering his “praises” to the referees following two uncalled high-sticking penalties that may require him to visit Tampa’s team dentist for the second time this month, he shouldn’t be penalized for that.

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General Manager of the year Award

GM	Team	Key Achievement
Mike Gillis	Vancouver	Won Presidents' trophy
David Poile	Nashville	Made playoffs with 10th-lowest payroll*
Steve Yzerman	Tampa Bay	Made playoffs in 1st year on job

Will win: Steve Yzerman
Should win: David Poile

In only its second year of existence, this award has quickly become one of the league’s elite. If last year’s winner, Don Maloney, is any indication of where the league may go for this year’s selection, then one has to expect that Nashville GM David Poile will walk away as the victor. However, as fans have become accustomed to, the NHL is known for making unusual decisions both on and off the ice. That being said, don’t be shocked if the league goes for the ‘sexy pick’ in hall-of-famer Steve Yzerman. Everyone loves a good story of a former player who is also able to make things work atop the ice as well as he did while skating on it. Yzerman fits that billing. However, one has to understand that Yzerman has inherited himself a team with a very solid balance of star veterans and young, burgeoning superstars, whereas Poile, who has been with the Predators since their inception into the league in 1998, has seemingly brought the Predators up from an expansion team in a non-traditional hockey market to a winning team with a passionate and rowdy fan base. Let’s call it “The Doing Most with the Least Award”.

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Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)

Player	Team	Key Stat
Pavel Datsyuk	Detroit	54.6% success rate on faceoffs
Ryan Kesler	Vancouver	Team-high 65 takeaways
Jonathan Toews	Chicago	95 takeaways

Will win: Pavel Datsyuk
Should win: Pavel Datsyuk

To hockey fans, nothing makes a jaw drop quite like a Pavel Datsyuk steal, dangle, shot and goal. It’s pure magic that Datsyuk has also turned into an art form. This year, the Russian superstar is aiming for his fourth-straight Selke win and it looks as though he’ll win it. If he does, he’ll become the first player since Bob Gainey, the player whom the award was in fact created for, to win it on four-consecutive occasions. Ryan Kesler and Jonathan Toews are also very worthy recipients. Both have grown into the two-way forward that any coach and general manager in the league would give their right kidney to obtain. However, this video is truly all one would need to argue for Datsyuk.

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Calder Memorial Trophy (top rookie)

Player	Team	Key Stat
Logan Couture	San Jose	32 goals
Michael Grabner	New York Islanders	34 goals
Jeff Skinner	Carolina	63 points
Will win: Jeff Skinner

Should win: Jeff Skinner

This year’s rookie class is one of the most balanced in recent memory. The league was blessed with a very nice combination of forwards, defencemen and goaltenders, all of whom were very worthy of nomination. Logan Couture fit right in during his first full season with the Sharks, Michael Grabner’s second half was obviously enough to land him a nomination following his musical-chair’s like transition from Florida, Vancouver and the Islanders, while Jeff Skinner was simply put, special. To many, there’s nothing quite like an 18-year old kid true rookie coming in and making serious noise against men. In his first year out of junior hockey, Skinner reached the 30-goal plateau, nothing 63 points in his first year. Because Couture had already enjoyed some experience at the NHL level, Skinner gets the nod.

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Norris Trophy (top defenceman)

Player	Team	Key Stat
Zdeno Chara	Boston	Plus-33 rating
Nicklas Lidstrom	Detroit	62 points
Shea Weber	Nashville	Average ice time: 25:19
Will win: Nicklas Lidstrom Should win: Shea Weber

Last season, it seemed as though the NHL had dawned upon a new era. Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith and Mike Green were leading the way for a new crop of defencemen that had taken the hockey world by storm. Both Keith and Doughty were prominent figures in Canada’s gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, while Mike Green had turned in a spectacular offensive effort as well. This year, however, with the exception of Shea Weber it looked as though that the young boys were not able to match what the old guys had to offer. That’s not to say Doughty and Keith didn’t have amazing seasons, it just means that Chara and Lidstrom were better. Chara likely won’t be going home with any hardware due to him making the news for all the wrong reasons, while Lidstrom had a very solid ‘bounce-back’ year after a season that some deemed to be less-than-stellar in 2009-10. He also finished the season with a minus-2 rating. Weber, however, has seemingly carried the Predators (alongside Pekka Rinne) all the way to a current 1-1 series tie with the Vancouver Canucks. His leadership characterizes everything that Nashville stands for which is exactly why he should be leaving Vegas with Mr. Norris in his hands. We’re just not sure if that’s enough to sway the old boys club that is the NHL writer’s guild.

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Bill Masterton Trophy (perseverance, sportsmanship, dedication to hockey)

Player	Team	Key contribution
Ray Emery	Anaheim	Played after bone-graft surgery
Daymond Langkow	Calgary	Returned from year-plus absence after neck injury
Ian Laperriere	Philadelphia	Helping team while recovering from concussion

This injury usually goes to players who have demonstrated the will to succeed following a very detrimental personal occurrence. Past winners include, Saku Koivu (overcame non-Hodgkin lymphoma), Ken Daneyko (overcame alcoholism) and Jose Theodore, who had his best season following the death of his son. It is safe to say that everyone nominated for this award is absolutely deserving of winning it. This year’s nominees are no different. However, Ray Emery’s story is unique. Not only is he returning from a difficult hip injury, his return to the NHL also marks an absolute personal transformation. Fans remember the rebellious, flashy goaltender who failed to show up for practices, enjoyed fighting opponents and his own teammates alike and was eventually exiled to the Russia to play in the KHL. Though, when fans were reintroduced to Ray Emery this season when he signed a contract with the Anaheim Ducks, they saw a different side to Emery. A candid interview with CBC’s Elliotte Friedman will explain my case.

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Jack Adams Trophy (top coach)

Player	Team	Key Stat
Alain Vigneault	Vancouver	Led Canucks to Presidents' Trophy
Barry Trotz	Nashville	Guided young roster to 99-point season
Dan Bylsma	Pittsburgh	Pens contended despite missing Crosby and Malkin

Will win: Dan Bylsma
Should win: Barry Trotz

The Jack Adams Trophy is a rather intriguing category this year. Off the bat, one has to believe that this is a two-horse race, with Dan Bylsma and Barry Trotz each having fantastic seasons with far fewer resources than Alain Vigneault. Byslma was humanized through television. HBO’s 24/7 series provided those outside of the Hockey pundit community with a sense of what it is like to be a NHL coach. Fans discovered that Bylsma is of the ‘new school. He seemed to be a coach that enjoyed interacting with his players and deemed it necessary in the process of the overall success of his team. He pushed and grinded his Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin-less roster all the way to a game seven loss against the Tamp Bay Lightning and did it without a single complaint from his players. In Nashville, Barry Trotz and the Predators are one of the feel good stories of the season. A team that lacked respect from the league, Nashville seems to have finally created an identity for themselves. Trotz has led his club to a fifth place finish in the tough Western Conference and has done it all with limited resources. In all honesty, this seems to be a toss-up. Who do you like?

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Vezina Trophy (top goalie)

Player	Team	Key Stat
Roberto Luongo	Vancouver	2.11 (GAA)
Pekka Rinne	Nashville	33 (wins)
Tim Thomas	Boston	.938 (save percentage)

Will win: Tim Thomas
Should win: Pekka Rinne

It’s a shame, really, that this award features just three finalists. Along with Pekka Rinne, Tim Thomas and Roberto Luongo, one can make a very sound argument for Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist to be nominated, as they both enjoyed unbelievable seasons. The three nominees, however, are very deserving. Pekka Rinne is a workhorse. The Nashville tender played more than any other nominee and carried a Nashville team that is clearly below the talent level of Boston and Vancouver. Tim Thomas’ numbers are absolutely spectacular, there is no denying that – any other year I would give him the nod, and I may be slightly biased. That Pekka Rinner has accomplished what he has with the team in front of him is, however, enough for me.

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Hart Trophy (MVP)

Player	Team	Key Stat
Daniel Sedin	Vancouver	Posted NHL-best 104 points
Corey Perry	Anaheim	Shared league lead with 11 game-winning goals
Martin St. Louis	Tampa Bay	Finished second with 99 points

Should win: Corey Perry
Will win: Corey Perry

This award is far too wide open for anyone to deem anyone’s choice as invalid. Daniel Sedin had a tremendous season in Vancouver and capped it off with the Art Ross trophy. Martin St. Louis continued to prove that it’s possible to succeed as a small man in a big man’s league, paving the way for players such as Nathan Gerbe, Tyler Ennis and David Desharnais in the process. Corey Perry was the league’s only 50-goal scorer and put Anaheim on his back after goaltender Jonas Hiller went down to injury. In times such as there, where it is far too close to conceive who should win MVP tag, it is usually best to eliminate the said player from their respective roster and try and imagine how they would do without him. In Vancouver, the talent level is enormous. With brother Henrik, Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows, Roberto Luongo, Kevin Bieksa, Mason Raymond, Alex Edler, Dan Hamhuis and Christian Ehrhoff in the lineup, Vancouver could very well duplicate its end-result. In Tampa Bay, St. Louis’ absence may be a little more damaging to their cause, but having Vincent Lecavalier, Steve Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Ryan Malone, Simon Gagne and Steve Downie in the lineup could allow them to weather the storm. In Anaheim, despite having Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, Lubomir Visnovsky and Cam Fowler in the lineup, not having your starting goaltender down the stretch is extremely damaging and could have potentially hurt them badly. It’s because of that, that Perry should get the Hart.

A Season to Remember with an Ending to Forget

By Richard Obrand

It is somewhat eerie how a slap-shot taken by a 26-year old from Welland, ONT in an arena located almost 500 KM away, can make the rain fall so quietly this morning in Montreal.

Nathan Horton’s slap-shot ended the hopes and dreams for your Canadiens, leaving their fan base that stretches well beyond the coasts of Canada in utter silence and shock.

In reality, this epic series between these two bitter adversaries epitomized the true meaning of the Boston-Montreal rivalry. Words were exchanged, blood was shed, clutch goals were scored, big saves were made, towels were thrown, fingers were waved and a seventh game was played.

The proverbial seventh game was a treat. Those unfamiliar with the rivalry were provided with everything they need to know about the shared hatred between the two teams and then some.

They were given a true display of world-class goaltending, a perfect view of what it looks like when two teams who employ different styles of the game duke it out for their cities and some strong coaching as well.

Fans were also treated to some spectacular individual performances.

PK Subban was brilliant. The 21-year old rookie defenceman showed that he is in fact the complete package. His rare combination of style, grit, confidence, tenacity, hands and speed will be something that will surely leave his fans and critics in awe for many years to come.

Having logged an average of 28:45 minutes of ice-time throughout the series, Subban displayed his ability to slow down the pace of any game at any given moment and do the same when he felt his team needed to pick it up a bit.

His series rival, Brad Marchand, wasn’t too shabby either.

Marchand has built himself a reputation in Montreal as the little Bruin who just won’t go away – and that’s a good thing for the rookie forward. Simply put, Marchand was arguably Boston’s most effective player when the rest of his teammates failed to realize the series had in fact began on April 14 in Boston and not on April 18 in Montreal.

He seemingly epitomizes everything that a Boston Bruin should be: strong, tough and relentlessly aggressive with a splash of scoring ability.

Yet, while the battle between Marchand and Subban was indeed something to keep your eye on, the real battle was fought between two red posts and some blue paint.

Carey Price and Tim Thomas added yet another few pages in the goaltending chapter to what is slowly becoming an encyclopedia of the battle between Boston and Montreal.

Both made the saves of their respective careers. Thomas’ arrived on a post-to-post sliding save on a shot by Brian Gionta on a two-on-one in double overtime during game five, while Price’s came in the same game, stopping Bruin forward David Krejci on a breakaway with his left pad.

It was a display unlike any other. It was one that allowed both goaltenders to put an exclamation mark on their respective brilliance that was displayed throughout their respective seasons. It’s a shame that only one can move on.

So what is next for your Montreal Canadiens?

Will the Nov. 13 win over the Carolina Hurricanes be the last memory we have of Andrei Markov as a Canadien?

Will Josh Gorges be able to return to form following season-ending knee surgery?

Was game seven Hal Gill’s, Roman Hamrlik’s, James Wisniewski’s, Brent Sopel’s, Mathieu Darche’s and Jeff Halpern’s last in a Tricolore uniform?

How about David Desharnais? Were his impressive 49 games with the big club a fluke? Or does he have the potential to one day reach Martin St. Louis status?

Is Scott Gomez’s below-average season an indication of what fans can expect for the remainder of his contract?

Is Louis Leblanc physically and emotionally mature enough to go pro next season with the Hamilton Bulldogs?

Pierre Gauthier has a busy summer ahead of him. The Canadiens are officially slotted at the 17 spot for the June 24 NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, MN.

Until then, relax and try and enjoy another Stanley Cup final without your beloved Canadiens.

Carey Price: A true thoroughbred

By Richard Obrand

Carey Price enthusiasts will say they told you so, while former bashers will deny ever muttering any anti-Price sentiments.

The Jaroslav Halak supporters have all crossed over and those who haven’t are living in what is now known as St. Lala Land.

There were those who, until last night, opted to reserve their rights to judge Canadiens General Manager Pierre Gauthier’s decision to keep Price until he proved himself when it really matters.

Last night was the deadline for that group of fans and I believe it was met by all.

The city of Montreal is abuzz with Price’s most recent performance, a 32-save shutout of the Big Bad Boston Bruins, in their own barn nonetheless.

What sent fans into awe last night wasn’t so much of what he did – partly because he has done it countless times throughout the regular season – but how he did it. The calm, cool, collected demeanour of the 23-year old veteran, yes veteran, was on full display last night.

He stopped every Zdeno Chara clapper with ease and acknowledged the ones his sturdy and reliable defence-corps stopped for him.

It was pure bliss for Habs fans. And the wink to Brent Sopel was Patrick Roy-like.

However, this Roy reproduction wasn’t his first. It seems like only yesterday that Price was raising his arms in Roy-like fashion, mocking the Bell Centre faithful in game 4 of the 2009 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, a game that would signal the end of a very confusing and disastrous season for the Canadiens.

My, how time truly does fly.

Those who follow the Canadiens closely will remember when Bob Gainey referred to Price as a thoroughbred. Gainey’s words were directed towards those who continuously criticized the young netminder, analyzing his every move in a negative manner.

However, like the horse on his helmet, Price didn’t begin to show his true legs until his NHL career turned three-years old. Last night’s shutout was the third of his playoff career.

As most of you have likely already discovered, all three have come against the boys from Beantown. I don’t think I stand alone in saying that this will likely not be his last.

And for the first time in his career, neither is Price.

Toasts Here’s to Carey Price, to Thomas Plekanec, to Scott ‘$8-million man’ Gomez, to Captain Brian Gionta, to Ryan White’s seven hits in seven minutes, to Brent Sopel, PK Subban and Hal Gill, to CBC montages, to Jacques Martin’s system and last but certainly not least Les Glorieux.

The Hits that go Unnoticed

By Richard Obrand

The on-going war against concussions has reached the world of university athletics. It’s unfortunate really, that in a year that featured some of the most intriguing stories to ever grace the eyes and ears of today’s sports fan that the topic of brain injuries remains the most prolific among them.

By now you have seen, heard and – if you’re one of the unlucky ones – felt the impact that concussions have had on the professional sports spectrum. The mass amounts of attention by media pundits across the sports community is indeed warranted, for they are the voice of a burgeoning community of that has long awaited recognition.

The said community features a wide variety of members. Victims and their families, the doctors that treat them and fans that want nothing more than to see them back on a playing field that isn’t being filled with dirty play and disrespect.

Measures have indeed been taken in ensuring player safety at the professional ranks. In sports where speed and contact are the main attractions, rules have been created in order to enhance the safety of vulnerable players.

The NFL, a league that saw its concussion rate rise up 21 per cent from its previous season, implemented a rule midway through the 2010-11 season that made all hits to the head illegal. On the ice, the NHL brass has been rigorously maligned for their lack of production in enhancing protection for their players. Though they seem to be lagging in their progress, one has to believe that there will be changes.

However, what about the students?

The athletes that don’t get nearly the amount of recognition they deserve are also in the midst of a concussion scandal. “Our medical team has conducted evaluations on 20 athletes for suspected head injuries during the 2010-11 season,” said Sean Christensen, Head Athletic Therapist for the Stingers.

Among them was fifth-year quarterback Robert Mackay. Mackay suffered a concussion in the season opener after taking a hard hit to the head last season and missed some action due to lingering effects. Among those effects are headaches, nausea, and dizziness and sometimes even memory loss.

Bryan Chiu, a future Canadian Football hall-of-famer who played 13 seasons with the Montreal Alouettes and is presently the Stingers’ assistant offensive coordinator and offensive line coach believes that the growing problem is certainly one that can be fixed. “I think it’s a matter of players not being taught how to properly hit,” said Chiu. “These days, players are a lot bigger and faster and they run around the field looking for the big it, but don’t realize that guys can get hurt,” he added.

There are those who believe that players, especially those who have been playing the given sport all their lives, know how to engage in contact and that they simply lack the respect that sports purists believe was once an integral facet of athletics.

Chiu, however, disagrees and sees this as an opportunity to stop the growing concussion problem. “It’s not so much as a lack of respect as much as it is a lack of emphasis on safety, said Chiu in an interview at his office at Loyola campus. “It’s a game that features a lot of speed and guys have to know when to ease up.” Christensen agrees. “Education! From the medical community, i.e. what are the signs and symptoms of a concussion and understanding the importance of recognizing and evaluating these signs and symptoms. This applies to both the athlete and the coaching staff,” said Christensen in an interview done over email.

In light of recent events in the professional sporting community, concussions have been the predominant topic as of late, and with good reason.

“I think it’s such a hot issue because it’s happening more often,” said Chiu. “Key guys who play key positions are going down with head injuries and fans are realizing it,” he added.

For Christensen, the concussion discussion has been a reoccurring topic for years. “Within the medical community it's been a hot issue for years. Over the last 10 years there have been 3 international conferences on concussions (Vienna 2001, Prague 2004, Zurich 2008). The increased media attention is likely due to the increase in high profile athletes suffering head injuries,” he said.

While educating players may in fact be the main theme among those who are closest to the athletes, one has to believe that a total mindset adaptation of the athletes themselves has to occur. Those who suffer from concussions may not feel such strong effects until many years after the injury actually occurred.

Recently, the world of sports was dealt two very disheartening blows when former NHL player Bob Probert passed away due to evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain condition that is caused by multiple concussions, and former NFL player Dave Duerson, who committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest so that his brain can be donated to scientific research on the effects of concussions.

It was discovered that Duerson also suffered from CLE and that he was also suffering from depression. These two athletes were once young, hopeful and ambitious men who like most young athletes chose to live “in the now” and worry about the future later.

Chiu believes that that is a major problem with professional and student athletes.

“As a player, you tend to be very short-minded – you would play now and worry later,” he said. A former offensive lineman for more than a decade, Chiu has suffered his fair share of head injuries.

“It could affect me down the road, but I’m not too worried about it. There were times where I came back to the sidelines in a bit of a daze, but I never suffered anything major,” said Chiu.

As saddening as it may be, today’s athletes, especially young collegiate ones, have an advantage over their predecessors. Modern technology and heightened awareness of head injuries has provided our student athletes with the upmost care, and measures to protect them are being taken.

“(Our athletes) complete a complex series of tests and a progressive return to play protocol. A SCAT form (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool) is completed in the pre-season, after a head injury and during the rehabilitation process. Our team doctors are also advised to help diagnosis and manage head injuries. This tool helps us track their symptoms as well as their cognitive ability (orientation, memory and concentration) and physical evaluation,” said Christensen.

A revolution of sorts is happening right before our very eyes. One that can forever change the way our students’ safety is being treated. We can choose to acknowledge it and move forward with the medical advancements that are happening every day.

Or we can choose to ignore it and perhaps see an even younger version of Duerson and Probert fall victim to our arrogance.

Another Pacioretty Opinion

By Richard Obrand

In the midst of yet another vicious check in the NHL, fans, bloggers and media pundits across the hockey community have been left divided.

And the recent announcement that Zdeno Chara will not be disciplined for his hit on Max Pacioretty has separated them even further.

On the left, we see the hyperactive and all-knowing Montreal-based fans who view the defenceman Chara’s hit on Canadiens forward Pacioretty as a malicious, obvious and deliberate attempt to injure the young and burgeoning power forward.

On the right, we see the equally as energetic and jagged supporters of the Boston Bruins who have been supportive of Chara, yet, have also been offering their care and good-wishes for Pacioretty.

Finally, somewhere in the middle of all the mayhem created by the Blogosphere and Twitterverse are the pundits who have been attempting to remain as politically correct and inoffensive as possible. With the exception of a few credible journalists from both sides of the spectrum, including Boston Globe writer Tony Massarotti, most writers have been tip-toeing around the issue at hand.

Simply put, as brutal or as incidental as you may have viewed it, this was an opportunity for the NHL that was once again shoved aside.

It was an opportunity for the Gary Bettman and company, to finally make their mark on the most pressing problem to face the post-lockout NHL. Ask Marc Savard, a five-year teammate of Chara, how he feels about Pacioretty’s current situation, better yet, ask Sidney Crosby.

While the NHL clearly missed the boat on defending their meal plan in Crosby, they once again blew a second golden chance of making their situation and reputation across the North American sports world relatively better.

There’s no arguing from this Montreal fan that Chara is a superstar. He strikes fear into opposing forwards and goaltenders alike and is the shutdown defenceman that every general manager across the league would gladly place on their rosters. His unique combination of size, skating ability and offensive prowess is one that is rarely seen from an athlete of his stature and he clearly makes an impact every time he skates onto the ice.

Which is why suspending him for an elongated period of time would have sent a very blunt and stern message to every single player in the league.

No more messing around, no more headshots, no more blindsides, no more technical and verbal confusion of Rule 48.

Problem is they didn’t.

With Colin Campbell sitting this one out because of his son Gregory’s involvement in last night’s game, his assistant, Mike Murphy, was the one to bang the gavel and decide what to do with the NHL’s latest head injury.

In what was arguably the most complicated situation faced with the league’s disciplinary committee, they allowed a man who put a 23-year old kid in a hospital and out of commission until likely next season to play in his team’s next game, Thursday night against Buffalo.

The most updated status of Pacioretty’s health is that he suffered a severe concussion and a fractured fourth cervical vertebra that is not displaced.

As saddening as it is to ask, will it take death for the NHL to finally end the growing crisis that is the head shot?

You stay classy, NHL.