NHL Midseason Awards and Predictions

We're now at the halfway point of the NHL season, so it's time to hand out all of my midseason awards and make predictions for what will happen in the rest of the regular season and beyond. So, without further ado, we'll start with my midseason awards.


Individual Awards
Hart Trophy (MVP)
1. Joe Thornton- San Jose
2. Ilya Kovalchuk- Atlanta
3. Alex Ovechkin- Washington

The Sharks are the league's top team and once again Thornton is carrying a very powerful offense across a very tough Pacific Division. The Thrashers are a borderline playoff team, and it's mostly because of the superb play from Ilya Kovalchuk. Alex Ovechkin of course deserves to be on here, he is carrying the Capitals again this year and is, as always, putting up outstanding numbers.


Lady Byng Trophy (Sporstmanship and Outstanding Playing Ability)
1. Marion Gaborik- NY Rangers
2. Zach Parise- New Jersey
3. Anze Kopitar- Los Angeles

Without Marion Gaborik, the Rangers are a last place team. Only four penalties this year and an entire team on his back qualifies him for this award. Zach Parise similarly has four penalties, but is offensive numbers don't match Gaborik's. A wild card pick with Anze Kopitar, he is leading a young L.A. Kings team through a solid first half.


Vesina Trophy (Top Goalie)
1. Ryan Miller- Buffalo
2. Ilya Bryzgalov- Phoenix
3. Miikka Kiprusoff- Calgary

The Sabres team effectively sits on the shoulders of Ryan Miller and he has come through with league leading numbers. Ilya Bryzgalov, similarly, is carrying a young Phoenix team through a solid first half with superb goaltending. Miikka Kiprusoff doesn't see a ton of shots every game, but the shots he does see don't go in the net often.


Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
1. Niclas Bergfors- New Jersey
2. John Tavares- NY Islanders
3. Matt Duchene- Colorado

This was a tough selection, but Niclas Bergfors is adding some much needed offesnive prowess to the conservation Devils. John Tavares is doign everything he's been asked to do and it has made a big difference in the Islanders' play. Matt Duchene has come out of the wood work and surprised many by bolstering the offense for the surprising Colorado Avalanche.


Art Ross Trophy (Top Scorer)
1. Joe Thornton- San Jose
2. Henrik Sedin- Vancouver
3. Marion Gaborik- NY Rangers

With a great fellow playmaker in Patrick Marleau and a high tempo style of play. Thornton is leading the NHL in points. Henrik Sedin has finally come out of his sheel and is turning into the superstar the Canucks hoped for when they drafted him. Marion Gaborik's outstanding play is the one thing still keeping the New York Rangers afloat.


Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
1. Mike Green- Washington
2. Duncan Keith- Chicago
3. Zdeno Chara- Boston

Mike Green has quickly developed into the top offensive defenseman in the NHL and he's only going to get better. The Blackhawks have another solid yougn gun in defenseman Duncan Keith, one of the best on both sides of the ice. There's no more dominating physical presence in the league then Zdeno Chara and he continues to become a better offensive D-man as well.


Adams Award (Top Coach)
1. Dave Tippet- Phoenix
2. Terry Murray- Los Angeles
3. Jacques Lemaire- New Jersey

Despite all the franchise's turmoil and a preseason coaching change, Dave Tippet is getting the most out of the Coyotes and it shows on the ice. Terry Murray has quickly transformed a solid group of young athletes on the Kings into a potentially perenial playoff team. Jacques Leamaire's return to New Jersey has the Devils playign their best hockey since their 2003 Cup.


Selke Trophy (Top defensive forward)
1. John Madden- Chicago
2. Travis Zajac- New Jersey
3. Niklas Backstrom- Washington

No forward in the league has been able to match the speed and penalty killing prowess of Chicago's John Madden. Simialrly, Travis Zajac is filling in Madden's oldrole in New Jersey superbly in 2009-10. Niklas Backstrom has quietly become a much improved and solid defensive forward in Washington.


Jennings Trophy (Fewest goals allowed)
1. Cristobal Huet- Chicago
2. Martin Brodeur- New Jersey
3. Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask- Boston

Cristobal Huet owns the award himself by making 31 of 41 starts, with help from a superb defense, he isn't letting much get by in the Windy City. Martin Brodeur has had a superb first half as he continues to cement his spot in the Hall of Fame. Time Thomas and Tuukka Rask in Boston might be the best goaltending tandem in the entire league.


Plus/Minus Award (Top plus/minus)
1. Christian Ehrhoff- Vancouver
2. Zach Parise- New Jersey
3. Alex Ovechkin- Washington

A very quiet but solid defensive defenseman, Christian Ehrhoff's stay at home style has given solid defense in front of Roberto Luongo in Vancouver. Zach Parise's solid all-around play has earned him a spot among the NHL elite. Alex Ovechkin doesn't surprise here as he continues to provide dominating play on both sides of the ice for the Caps.


Richard Trophy (Top goal scorer)
1. Marion Gaborik- NY Rangers
2. Alex Ovechkin- Washington
3. Patrick Marleau- San Jose

If Marion Gaborik had some offesnive help, it's a wonder how good the Rangers can be. Alex Ovechkin at the top of the goal scorer's list? What a surprise. With a superb athlete like Joe Thornton setting him up, Patrick Marleau is taking the Western Conference by storm with a chance at 50 goals.


Crozier Award (Best Save Percentage)
1. Tuukka Rask- Boston
2. Ryan Miller- Buffalo
3. Miikka Kiprusoff- Calgary

The Bruins' backup goalie might be one of the best in the league, as Tuukka Rask has shut down every opponent in his way. Ryan Miller is holding Buffalo atop the Northeast Division was outstanding goaltending. Miikka Kirprusoff is a key ingrdient as the Flames look to take first place in the Northwest Division.


Fan Fav Award (Most Popular Player)
1. Jarome Iginla- Calgary
2. Alex Ovechkin- Washington
3. Martin Brodeur- New Jersey

Jarome Iginla is the last of a bunch of players who have outstanding speed and talent combined with strength, checking skill, and grit. Whenever, Alex Ovechkin is on the ice, you are sure in for quite a show ahead of you. Regardless of what team you root for, you have to be impressed with one of the great all-time goaltenders in Martin Brodeur.


President's Trophy (Regular Season's Top Team)
1. San Jose Sharks
2. New Jersey Devils
3. Chicago Blackhawks

What a surprise, again the San Jose Sharks find themselves cruising through the regular season, will postseason success follow? The surprising New Jersey Devils are having fun blowing by the elite of the Eastern Conference. The Chicago Blackhawks appear to be poised and ready to finally take a shot at their first Stanley Cup since 1961.


My Final Regular Season Predictions (Conference rankings in parenthesis)

Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
1. New Jersey (1)
2. Pittsburgh (4)
3. Philadelphia (9)
4. NY Islanders (11)
5. NY Rangers (12)

With back-to-back shutouts of Pittsburgh, the Devils have proved this division is theirs, the Penguins will easily lock up second. The Flyers have disappointed, they will manage third in the Atlantic but miss out on the playoffs. The Islanders are improved and have the poise and determination to get out of the cellar. The Rangers....suck, period. They deserve last place.


Northeast Division
1. Buffalo (3)
2. Ottawa (5)
3. Montreal (6)
4. Boston (7)
5. Toronto (14)

No team really sticks out as outstanding in the Northeast, the Sabres edge out what will be a close race for the title. Ottawa's offense will get back on track when Daniel Alfresson and Jason Spezza return, they get second. Montreal is proving to be an underachiever again, but they have enough for third place and the playoffs. Boston is a gritty team without a true superstar, but they manage to sneak into the postseason. Toronto, in a tough division, have no shot at getting out of last.


Southeast Division
1. Washington (2)
2. Atlanta (8)
3. Tampa Bay (10)
4. Florida (13)
5. Carolina (15)

The Capitals are cruising in a rather weak Southeast Division, they easily clinch another division championship. Atlanta's offense and goaltending will come alive in the second half and they will edge into their third postseason all-time. Tampa Bay simply doens't have the defense to succeed yet, they finish third. Florida has a lot of young guns with talent, but they aren't ready for the big stage yet. Carolina is terrible, their only hope right now if to win the draft lottery.


Western Conference
Central Division
1. Chicago (2)
2. Detroit (7)
3. Nashville (9)
4. Columbus (13)
5. St. Louis (14)

The Blackhawks have taken over the Red Wings as class of the Central Division, they will cruise to the division title. Detroit gets their injury situation back on track after the Olympics and somehow edges into the postseason. On the flip side, NAshville's lack of offense catches up to them and scoring issues causes them to miss the playoffs. Columbus' over dependence on Rick Nash for goal kills them, they fall apart in the second half. Harsh lessons for the young St. Louis Blues as a bad first half becomes irreversible, last place awaits them.


Northwest Division
1. Calgary (3)
2. Colorado (4)
3. Vancouver (5)
4. Minnesota (11)
5. Edmonton (15)

The Flames' huge amount of talent and all-around solid play will aloow them to overtake Colorado for the Northwest Division title. The Avalanche's surprising play and young but quick offense will give them second and a return to the playoffs. The Canucks follow right behind them, with the Sedin twins and Toberto Luongo giving them a solid effort. A severe lack of offense is again the Wild's Achilles' heel as they miss out on the playoffs. I can't even name a player on the Edmonton Oilers, they sputter to last place.


Pacific Division
1. San Jose (1)
2. Los Angeles (6)
3. Phoenix (8)
4. Dallas (10)
5. Anaheim (12)

On paper, San Jose has by far the best team in the NHL, they continue to win games and the Pacific Division. The Kings will lose momentum and tire in the second half, but their first postseason in ages still awaits them. Similarly, the Coyotes drop off as the season goes on, but still grab the West's final playoff berth. The most inconsistent team in the league, Dallas falls just short of the postseason in fourth place. Anaheim is the most disappointing West team, they sputter to last place.

Playoff Predictions

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
(1) New Jersey over (8) Atlanta 4-1
(2) Washington over (7) Boston 4-3
(6) Montreal over (3) Buffalo 4-3
(4) Pittsburgh over (5) Ottawa 4-2

The Atlanta Thrashers will finally win a playoff game, but that's it as the Devils dominate. Washington will have their hands full with the hard hitting Bruins in a tough series, but they have too much talent to lose. In an upset, the Sabres overdependence on Ryan Miller kills them as the Canadiens advance. Pittsburgh lost to Ottawa three years ago, but they get their revenge in a six game victory.


Western Conference Quarterfinals
(1) San Jose over (8) Phoenix 4-1
(2) Chicago over (7) Detroit 4-3
(3) Calgary over (6) Los Angeles 4-2
(5) Vancouver over (4) Colorado 4-2

It would be a nice story to see the Coyotes upset the Sharks, but it just won't happen, too much talent for San Jose in an easy series win. A rematch of last year's West Finals proves to be tough for the Blackhawks, but they shake off past demons and finally defeat the Red Wings. Calgary's past playoff experience trumps the young Kings lack of as they knock off Los Angeles. Similarly, the Canucks past playoff experience and large amoutn of talent will be enough to upset the fourth seeded Avalanche.


Eastern Conference Semifinals
(1) New Jersey over (6) Montreal 4-1
(4) Pittsburgh over (2) Washington 4-3

A large mismatch in the East semifinals for the Devils and Habs and New Jersey easily breezes past the overachieving Canadiens. Pittsburgh and Washington again meet in the East Semis, with the Penguins repeating histroy and knocking off the Capitals in game 7 in Washington.


Western Conference Semifinals
(1) San Jose over (5) Vancouver 4-2
(3) Calgary over (2) Chicago 4-3

Don't underestimate the Canucks, any team with a solid goalie can give trouble. But the Sharks offensive powerhouse proves to be too much and they overcome Vancouver. In a seven game upset, the older, experienced Flames manage to teach the Blackhawks a lesson as Calgary wins a tough game seven in Chicago.


Eastern Conference Finals
(1) New Jersey over (4) Pittsburgh 4-1

Not even a question here, the Devils are a much more complete team then the Penguins and make their return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in seven years.


Western Conference Finals
(3) Calgary over (1) San Jose 4-3

The Flames pull off the upset again, this time their stonewall defense and superb goaltending from Kiprusoff shut down the Sharks juggernaut and the Flames win their third Western Conference Championship.


Stanley Cup Finals
(3) Calgary over (1) New Jersey 4-3

In a tight but hard fought, low scoring series, the slight offensive edge from the Flames and a word out Brodeur give the Calgary Flames a seven game victory and their second Stanley Cup, the first since 1989 and first for a Canadien team since 1993 (Montreal).
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Prince of Wales Trophy (Eastern Conference Champions)
1. New Jersey Devils

Clarence Campbell Bowl (Western Conference Champions)
1. Calgary Flames

Stanley Cup (NHL Champions)
1. Calgary Flames

Conn Smythe (Playoff MVP)
1. Miika Kiprusoff
2. Martin Brodeur
3. Jarome Iginla

If it is a Flames-Devils Final, then it will come down to goaltending. Kiprusoff has the skills of Brodeur plus more stamina with the younger age, he edges Brodeur for Conn Smythe. JArome Iginla scores the game winner in game seven and provides leadership and offensive power needed for the Flames to win.