2008 NHL Award Predictions

Before I get started let me just say that I think the NHL should adopt the NBA's timetable of announcing award winners during the playoffs. The awards are based on the regular season and to wait until after the playoffs makes it almost impossible not to include them when decision time arrives.

Alex Ovechkin - Jarome Iginla - Evgeni Malkin

Without a doubt this year Alex Ovechkin will be crowned the Hart Trophy winner. When it comes down to it, The Washington Capitals live and die by the performance of Alexander 'The Great'. The decision would have been borderline had The Caps missed the playoffs. BUT...when they clinched the final day of the regular season, they also clinched the trophy for their superstar.

Martin Brodeur - Henrik Lundqvist - Evgeni Nabokov

Not the easiest trophy to predict but I'll go with Evgeni Nabokov. I honestly believe they wanted him to play 79-80 games this year but a midseason injury prevented that record breaking goal. If Joe Thornton didn't carry the team on offense, and SJ still had the same success, Nabokov had the type of year where he could have received Hart Trophy considerations.

Nick Lidstrom - Zdeno Chara - Dion Phaneuf

Just name it the Nick Lidstrom award. The guy is this generations greatest dman and isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Zdeno Chara had a nice bounce back year and Phaneuf continues to put up impressive numbers...but Lidstrom is as close to a flawless hockey player there is in the game. Imagine if he was physical as well?

Patrick Kane - Nick Backstrom - Jonathan Toews

The race was originally between the Hawk kids but with Toews missing time with an injury and Nick Backstrom emerging as The Caps top center it basically left Toews on the outside looking in. I'm going to go with Patrick Kane taking the win considering he was basically in the point lead the entire year. Also it looks rather impressive he could produce such a great year without much help from line mates, while Backstrom had the comfort of a goal leading sniper.

John Madden - Pavel Datsyuk - Henrik Zetterberg

Ok I may be in the minority here, but does anybody else Hate that two players on the same team are nominated for this trophy? Zetterberg and Dastyuk were on seperate lines for a good portion of the year, so while one guy was shutting down 1st lines scorers...what was the other guy doing? Shutting down second line players with 14 goals?

As for the winner, I'll just choose Pavel Datsyuk for the hell of it. John Madden had a nice offensive year for himself but honestly I don't consider his year very Selke worthy on the defensive side. He even spent some time being more relied on for his offense with other players such as Zubrus, Brylin, Clarkson, Pandolfo, Rupp filling his role.

Mike Babcock - Guy Carbonneau - Bruce Boudreau

Forget Guy Carbonneau he doesn't stand a chance. It's a matter of taste really. What is more impressive. The biggest turn around in NHL history, or a team that is just dominant all year around. And since this prediction is based on my taste, I'm going with the unhappiest winner of all time...Mike Babcock. You never know, maybe a Jack Adams award will bring a smile to his face. My brother actually considers the 2008 Detroit Red Wings to be the BEST hockey team since 1990. I wouldn't go that far, but they are damn close...and the coach should be rewarded for such a performance.