Calder Trophy (Rookie)
Finalists: Steve Mason, Blue Jackets; Bobby Ryan, Anaheim; Kris Versteeg, Chicago
Forwards Ovechkin, Malkin and Patrick Kane took the rookie of the year honors the last three years, but Mason, the uber rookie goalie in Columbus, will break that chain.

Mason finished with 33 wins, only three fewer than Thomas, and might have had more if not for a short setback while recovering from mononucleosis. He also posted a 2.29 GAA and a .916 save percentage. But more than anything, it was his work in net that lifted the Blue Jackets out of the postseason DNQ Blues, nightly showing a level of poise net that might make a passerby think he was a 10-year veteran.

Runner-up: If not for Mason, Chicago's Kris Versteeg likely would have carried this category. Once a 134th draft pick (Boston), he plugged right into the Chicago youth movement, led by Kane and Jonathan Toews, and delivered 22 goals and 53 points, second to Anaheim's Bobby Ryan in freshman point production. Versteeg sputtered down the stretch (2-2—4 in the final 13 games), but his early production was key in the Hawks putting an end to five straight seasons of playoff DNQs.

Honorable mention: Ryan, the No. 2 pick in the 2005 draft. Put on a very impressive late kick (7-4—11 in the last 7 games) that helped the Ducks clinch a playoff berth.

Jack Adams Award (Coach)
Finalists: Claude Julien, Boston; Todd McLellan, San Jose; Andy Murray, St. Louis
The broadcasters appoint the award for best coach, but it's hard to keep an opinionated columnist from the fray:

Winner: Todd McLellan, San Jose — What's a rookie head coach to do after debuting with a 53-win, 117-point season, good for the Presidents' Trophy. Tremendous job in the regular season by the former Wings' assistant.

Runner-up: Claude Julien. Directed the Bruins to 53 wins and 116 points, with a smaller, perhaps less talented club than McLellan. Still a mystery why the Devils canned him two years ago with three games left in the season, and his record 47-24-8.

Honorable mention: Mike Babcock. Another great year in Detroit, but that's just expected of the Wings, and the coach just has to stay out of the way. Yeah, right.

Selke Trophy (Defensive forward)
Finalists: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit; Ryan Kesler, Vancouver; Mike Richards, Philadelphia
Have to tell you, I can't stand this award.

Forwards are meant for scoring, O.K.?  As far as I'm concerned, all forwards should be banned in their own defensive zone. There you go.

Let's play some hockey.

Nonetheless, I'd have made it a Detroit sweep:
1. Pavel Datsyuk, plus-38, and the team's leading scorer (97 points).
2. Johan Franzen, plus -23.  Heck, they call him the Mule. Give it to him every year.
3. Henrik Zetterberg, plus-15 and 70 points.

Lady Byng Trophy
Finalists: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit; Zach Parise, New Jersey; Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
So many gentlemen, so few to select.

However, based simply on production (a team-high 80 points on a sub-sub-standard Tampa team) and his dearth of penalty minutes (12), Martin St. Louis carries the day here. The polished Bolts winger finished second to Pavel Datysuk the last two seasons.

Runner-up: Detroit defenseman Brian Rafalski. The downsized (5-foot-10) defenseman gets loads of ice time and plays in all situations. And he did it this year while logging only 22 PIMs, about a one-third reduction from his norm. That's some true patience there.

Honorable mention: Daniel Alfredsson. The Senators winger is always classy and dignified, and he was again this season (20 PIMs) during perhaps the club's most frustrating season since his arrival in 1995-'96. Never have they done so little with so much talent.

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