NHL Hardware

Now that the NHL regular season has ended, here are my picks for the major awards. Playoff predictions to follow soon.

HART MEMORIAL

Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, WAS
What to say? Alexander the Great is the greatest hockey player in the League today and no other player has as large an impact on his team's success. The stats I really like: his 243 hits and 528 shots.
Runners-Up: Pavel Datsyuk, DET; Zach Parise, NJ.

JAMES NORRIS

Winner: Mike Green, WAS
It's been awhile since a defenceman scored 30 goals and that's hard to overlook. He's a force on the power play but also at even strength. And he's not the defensive liability some think he is.
Runners-Up: Zdeno Charo, BOS; Niklas Lidstrom, DET.

VEZINA TROPHY

Winner: Steve Mason, CLB
His 10 shut-outs lead the league despite starting the year in the AHL and a mid-season bout with mono. He wouldn't be the first rookie goaltender to win the Vezina but let's hope he sticks around longer than Jim Carey.
Runners-up: Tim Thomas, BOS; Niklas Backstrom, MIN.

CALDER MEMORIAL

Winner: Steve Mason, CLB
See above for explanation. No rookie skater can match his achievements this year.
Runners-Up: Pekka Rinne, NSH; Bobby Ryan, ANA.

FRANK J. SELKE

Winner: Mike Richards, PHI
This trophy is usually awarded based on reputation and in Richards' case the reputation is warranted. He checks, hits, blocks shots, kills penalties, scores shorties - everything that typically earns Selke consideration.
Runners-Up: Mikko Koivu, MIN; Craig Conry, CGY.

JACK ADAMS

Winner: Joel Quenneville, CHI
Expectations were high for the Blackhawks from the outset. After faltering through the first couple of weeks Quenneville was brought in and he delivered. The young Hawks quietly emerged as one of the League's elite teams. Plus, I don't think Quenneville received the respect he deserved for the job he did in Colorado last season.
Runners-Up: Claude Julien, BOS; Andy Murray, STL.