NHL Award Recipients
The NHL Awards were given out tonight in Las Vegas, with a little bit extra fanfare due to the upcoming expansion team. Here is the full list of winners, with the top two runners-up in each category:
Calder Trophy (top rookie)
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by the players)
General Manager of the Year
- Jim Rutherford
- Brian McClellen
- Jim Nill
Masterton Trophy (perseverance and dedication to hockey)
- Jaromir Jagr
- Mats Zucarello
- Pascal Dupuis
Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award
Norris Trophy (top defenceman)
Selke Trophy (forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game)
Jack Adams Award (top head coach)
- Barry Trotz
- Gerard Gallant
- Lindy Ruff
Lady Byng Trophy (player best combining sportsmanship and ability)
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
Hart Trophy (most valuable player to his team)
Congratulations to all the winners, and the teams who employ them.
Snapshots: Kopitar, Bryzgalov, Malkin
According to the Los Angeles Kings team website, Anze Kopitar is set to become their next captain. Yahoo Sports also tweeted that the 28-year-old center was next in line after Dustin Brown.
Despite being the longest tenured captain in Kings’ history, Sports Illustrated’s Allan Muir reported that Brown had fallen out of favor with Kings brass as his production decreased. Muir also speculated that Kopitar would be named the next captain.
The LA Daily News’ Mark Whicker writes that Kopitar’s scoring prowess as well as status within the organization is what secured him as the next captain. Whicker adds that Brown can continue to show the leadership that helped guide the Kings to their first two Stanley Cups in franchise history as the transition is made.
More from the hockey world:
- Former NHL goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov has announced his intent to come back to the NHL according to the NHLPA website. Bryzgalov last played for the Anaheim Ducks during the 2014-2015 season. The season’s long break apparently ignited the competitive fire in the 35-year-old goalie. Pro Hockey Talk’s Mike Halford writes that it may be a longshot for a comeback.
- Evgeni Malkin may need elbow surgery writes the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Jenn Menendez. Malkin is scheduled for an MRI tomorrow to examine the extent of the damage. Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford indicated the injury was serious enough, but admitted that the severity of the injury was still unknown. Malkin had 18 points (6-12) in 23 playoff games.