2010 NHL Awards Predictions

Sadly the NHL regular season has come to a close. Or maybe it's a good thing. I don't know, but in my opinion, NHL hockey hasn't been the same since the Olympics.

After watching the high intensity, high skill game of the best of the best playing their hearts out for their country at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, NHL seems so minor league in terms of quality of play. The Olympics brought out the best in every player and while some are superstars in the NHL, they looked so ordinary at the Games.

But oh well. I hope the NHL playoffs will be action-packed.

Anyway, it's regular season end and here are my picks for the Major NHL Awards based on regular season play:

Major NHL Awards Predictions (1,2,3):

Hart Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the League's most valuable player:

1. Henrik Sedin (Canucks)
2. Alexander Ovechkin (Capitals)
3. Sidney Crosby (Penguins)

Vezina Trophy - Awarded to the League's top goaltender:

1. Ilya Bryzgalov (Coyotes)
2. Ryan Miller (Sabres)
3. Martin Brodeur (Devils)

Calder Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the League's most outstanding rookie player:

1. Matt Duchene (Avalanche)
2. Tyler Myers (Sabres)
3. Tuukka Rask (Bruins)

James Norris Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position:

1. Drew Doughty (Kings)
2. Mike Green (Capitals)
3. Duncan Keith (Blackhawks)

Jack Adams Trophy - Awarded to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success:

1. Dave Tippett (Coyotes)
2. Lindy Ruff (Sabres)
3. Joe Sacco (Avalanche)

Frank J. Selke Trophy - Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game:

1. Pavel Datsyuk (Red Wings)
2. Ryan Kesler (Canucks)
3. Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks)