On the occasion of the NHL All-Star break, call it Midseason Observed, CNNSI.com spoke to Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber about his picks for the league’s major awards were they to be handed out today. Farber also added an All-Star team of his own.
Brian Sutter is misunderstood as a coach. Often he’s perceived as a cartoon character whose only message is, “hard work, hard work, hard work.” In fact, more than even so-called players’ coaches, he understands some player’s limitations and works around them. He usually gets more out of “problem” players -- such as Alexei Zhamnov in Chicago and Valeri Bure in Calgary -- than other coaches.
Calder Trophy Outstanding rookie Ilya Kovalchuk Atlanta Thrashers
Runner-up: Dany Heatley
The Calder vote goes one-two in Atlanta. One is Ilya Kovalchuk. No player has won the Calder in his draft year since Mario Lemieux, but Kovalchuk could wind up doing that. He is, to quote Dick Cheney if he knew anything about hockey, a “bigtime” goal-scoring talent. Kovalchuk is going to one day turn the Thrashers from terrible into pretty good. He still needs a ton of work in his own end but presumably that will come.
Norris Trophy Outstanding defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom Detroit Red Wings
Runner-up: Brian Leetch
Nicklas Lidstrom is automatic, the closest thing the NHL has to a perfect defenseman. He never gets caught out of position, he never makes a mistake and he helps out on the power play. Lidstrom doesn’t hit like Chris Pronger, he isn’t capable of dominating on offense like Brian Leetch, he doesn’t have the sheer offensive skills of a Sandis Ozolinsh or a laser from the point like Al MacInnis, but if we’re looking for the total package, Lidstrom is it.
Vezina Trophy Outstanding goaltender Patrick Roy Colorado Avalanche
Runner-up: Nikolai Khabibulin
Everything Patrick Roy does furthers his case as the best goalie that has ever played. Colorado has been bedeviled by injuries and scoring slumps, yet they keep winning. Late in his career Roy has discovered physical conditioning and is playing as well as ever. Too bad he isn’t going to the Winter Olympics.
Selke Trophy Outstanding defensive forward P.J. Axelsson Boston Bruins
Runner-up: Mike Ricci
I believe in the strict interpretation of this award, unlike those who vote for it. To me, this is about the best defensive forward, and there’s no one better then Axelsson. He can be miserable with the puck but excellent without it, maybe the best in the league. He has no chance of winning the Selke because of players like Bruins teammate Brian Rolston, who is also a good offensive player.
This trophy interpretation is another hobbyhorse of mine because it too often goes to the wimpiest forward. To my way of thinking, Lidstrom plays big minutes against all the best lines, plus he has only 12 penalty minutes and a classy, classy style.
Right now I’d say Roy. In a year when Colorado should be suffering from the mother of Stanley Cup hangovers, Roy has held the team, especially in the wake of slumps from Chris Drury, Alex Tanguay and Joe Sakic.
This is subject to change in the event that the Tampa Bay makes the playoffs because Nikolai Khibibulin will have done the job. This is the year of the goalie; Jose Theodore has done the same for a mediocre Montreal team that refuses to quit.
Despite slowing down slightly, Jarome Iginla has been the breakthrough player of the season, having morphed into a classic power forward with the help of Craig Conroy, who had been labeled strictly as a one-way defensive forward.
The Stanley Cup finalists have not found their way this year as frustrations continued to mount. They should have been a slam dunk playoff team and now they’re muddling along on the cusp.
Art Ross Leading scorer (projected) Joe Thornton Boston Bruins
I think Thornton, when he’s playing with Sergei Samsonov and Glen Murray, probably has the best chance, but watch out for Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick. This could be the first time since 1939 that a player wins the scoring race without averaging a point a game.
