2007 NHL
Trophy Predictions
by Dennis "The Viking" Altenburg
Art Ross Trophy: Top Point Scorer in the NHL
Jaromir Jagr New York Rangers
Jagr is on pace to win another Art Ross Trophy. Jagr has won the
Art Ross Trophy 5 times and last year, fell 2 points short of joining
Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux with 6 trophy wins. Wayne Gretzky
has won the trophy 10 times. Ilya Kovalchuk is always a threat to
put up big numbers and Sidney Crosby in his sophomore year has a
great team around him to help his cause. If Jagr can pick up his
goal scoring, especially on the power play, he will win the Art
Ross for 2006-2007.
Honorable Mention:
Ilya Kovalchuk Atlanta Thrashers
Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins
Calder Memorial Trophy: Rookie of the Year
Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins
This might be the only runaway category. Evgeni Malkin stormed into
the NHL with the fury of a tornado. By scoring in his first 6 games,
Malkin tied an 89 year old record and made the hockey world take
notice. When a rookie starts that way, he usually has a pretty decent
year. Malkin was picked 2nd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft
behind Alexander Ovechkin, who won the Calder Trophy in 2006. Ovechkin
predicted that Evgeni would win the Calder in 2007.
Honourable mention:
Jordan Staal Pittsburgh Penguins
Wojtek Wolski Colorado Avalanche
Vezina Trophy: Top Goalie in the NHL
Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ilja Bryzgalov Anaheim Ducks
The combined goaltending tandem of Giguere and Bryzgalov have not
lost a game through regulation time yet this year. Each has 1 shutout
and are both near the top of the league in save percentage. Although
Giguere is getting the majority of the starts, Bryzgalov has been
outstanding when called upon to fill in. Could we have another shared
Vezina – the first since 1981?
Honourable mention:
Ryan Miller Buffalo Sabres
Manny Fernandez Minnesota Wild
Hart Memorial Trophy: NHL Most Valuable Player
Ilya Kovalchuk Atlanta Thrashers
The Hart Trophy goes to the player most valuable to his team, not
necessarily the best player in the NHL. For 2007, that distinction
need not be made. Kovalchuk’s numbers have improved dramatically
in each of his 5 NHL seasons. He is deadly on the power play, having
scored 27 of his 52 goals last year with the man advantage. He is
on pace to repeat that performance again this year, with 7 of his
12 goals already on the power play. Atlanta is second in the NHL in
goals scored, just behind Buffalo. Without Kovalchuk, they wouldn’t
even be close.
Honourable mention:
Daniel Briere Buffalo Sabres
Jerome Iginla Calgary Flames
Jack Adams Award: Coach of the Year
Lindy Ruff Buffalo Sabres
Lindy Ruff is proving that the Sabres’ success last year was
no accident. He is coaching his team towards another run at Lord
Stanley’s cup, and Presidents’ Trophy. Last year, Buffalo
improved their record by 25 points over the 2003-2004 season, and
that helped Lindy beat out Carolina’s Peter Laviolette for
the Jack Adams Award in 2006.
Honourable mention:
Bob Hartley Atlanta Thrashers
Randy Carlyle Anaheim Ducks
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Top Defenseman in the NHL
Scott Niedermayer Anaheim Ducks
With arguably the 2 best defencemen in the NHL in Scott Niedermayer
and Chris Pronger, Anaheim Ducks put up a strong wall for teams
trying to get a shot on 2 of the best goalies in the league, Jean-Sebastien
Giguere and Ilja Bryzgalov. Anaheim has not lost a game in regulation
time yet this year thanks to the sturdy defence and goaltending.
Niedermayer is having a career season and currently leads the NHL
in points by a defenceman.
Honourable mention:
Dion Phaneuf Calgary Flames
Chris Pronger Anaheim Ducks
Maurice Richard Trophy: Top Goal Scorer in the NHL
Ilya Kovalchuk Atlanta Thrashers
Both these players scored 52 goals last year. Kovalchuk already has
12 and Ovechkin has 10 (in 3 fewer games), but Kovalchuk has a better
team around him and has the advantage of a better power play goal-scoring
percentage. The Maurice Richard Trophy will be adorned many times
over the next 15 years with the name of one of these players, with
maybe a couple of Penguins we know of thrown in for good measure.
Honourable mention:
Alexander Ovechkin Washington Capitals
Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins
Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins
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