As the season opens in 12 days, let's take this time to analyze the NHL Awards and who has the best chance to claim them in June.
Art Ross Trophy: (Awarded to the player who registers the most points)
Last year Sidney Crosby took home the award in his sophomore campaign, notching 120 points (36 goals, 84 assists). The Cole Harbour native should only improve during the third season of the "Crosby Show." As the Penguins reloaded with veterans, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal comprise the sophomores on the team looking to add onto their impressive rookie seasons. With veteran presence and Crosby's line mates a year older, look for him to post 125 points (34 goals, 91 assists).
Two years removed from hoisting the Art Ross and after last year's disappointment in the playoffs, look for Joe Thornton to post monster numbers. He will have Rocket Richard winner, Jonathan Cheechoo, on his right flank, but the big question mark is, who will be on his left side? Can sophomore Ryane Clowe contribute to an already stacked line? Depending on who Head Coach Ron Wilson places on Big Joe's left side, his point total might varying between 105-130 points. I'm gonna say the 6-4, 235-pound center notches 122 points (22 goals, 100 assists).
Just north of Sidney Crosby, is a place where women flow like the salmon of Capistraino...Ok, bad example...but Jaromir Jagr and company look to win more than a Tony Award for their performance on Broadway this year. The New York Rangers added incredible fire power during the off season by landing free agents Chris Drury and Scott Gomez. As of now, Glen Sather will probably pair Gomez, who is a pass-first type player, with scoring leviathan, Jagr. It will be an adjustment for Jagr who has been center by Swedish-native Michael Nylander who plays a slower game compared to Gomez. I don't see Jagr being affected with his new partner anytime soon. The power play the Rangers will field this year will look like Montreal's power play of 1976-77. Yeah...sick. Thus, I predict Jagr will record 132 points (54 goals, 78 assists).
Winner: Jaromir Jagr, New York Rangers
Hart Trophy: (League Most Valuable Player)
Again, Sidney Crosby. If you need reasons, see above.
Jaromir Jagr, see above.
Dany Heatley. Yes, I said it. While I believe "Heater" is a dark-horse candidate for this award, he is entering the final year of his contract, and after going Casper in the Stanley Cup Finals, look for the 6-3, 215-pound forward to lash back at his media critics by scoring 115 points (60 goals, 55 assists). Heatley is the only player to post back-to-back 50 goal seasons. He'll be paired with Spezza again as well as Mike Fisher on the left side. This line has grit, speed, and size to tear it up, especially in a conference where exceptional defensemen are rare. If Heatley doesn't win the Hart, look for him to take home the Rocket Richard Trophy instead. Either way, he'll finish top-five in points and top-three in goals scored.
Winner: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Calder Memorial Trophy: (Rookie of the Year)
Too many to pick just one right now, plus I don't want to sound like Lee Corso when he proclaims how important the Heisman is.
In my mind, two names stick out: Jack Johnson (No, not the banana pancakes singing "musician") and Erik Johnson. Basically, this add is brought to you by "Johnson & Johnson."
However, history has proven rookie defensemen usually don't win this award. Only nine blueliners have captured the award in the 73 years it has been given out. Typically, there is a huge learning curve when it comes to defensemen.
Denis Potvin, a defenseman who won the Calder in 1974, recently said, "In Florida, Jay Bouwmeester has been [there] almost five years and we're just now starting to say, 'He's almost there.' "
Despite the fact the odds are against these two incredibly talented defensemen, I'm putting all my stock on these two.
Winner: "Johnson or Johnson"
I'll continue my predictions when I return from Tuscaloosa.
Here are the pre-season games on-tap for the weekend:
9/21/07
Cls @ Buf
Nsh @ Car
NJ @ NYR
Pit @ Det
NYI @ Mon
Min @ Chi
Ana @ SJ
9/22/07
Stl @ Atl
Tor @ Bos
Phi @ NYR
Ott @ Mon
Det @ Pit
Wsh @ TB
Car @ Nsh
Edm @ Cal
Col @ LA
Dal @ Phx
Van @ SJ
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I think history has shown that the Rangers only do well when Jagr is happy and Jagr only does well when he gets what he wants. He lost Nylander this year and I think we're going to see the effects of that. Factor in that the second line for the Rangers should also eat up a lot of ice time and I can't see any way possible for Jagr to win the scoring race.
Don't be surprised to see Crosby hit 145 points this year, or more if all the cards fall right.
As for the rookie of the year I really like Erik Johnson more then Jack, only because Jack has so much competition on the blue line with him this year as well. The guy who will have a great shot at winning it has to be Backstrom, who will be lining up with either Semin or Ovechkin and could have a monster season. TJ Hensick also has an outside chance depending on how the lines work together in COlorado.
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