The TSN Hockey List: Quarterly NHL Award winners American Thanksgiving is the point of the NHL schedule where teams take stock of where they are in the standings. Some have met expectations, others not so much. Same with players and we take a look at those who are deserving of an extra helping of acknowledgement with quarter-season awards and honours.

Craig Button TSN Director of Scouting Follow|Archive

American Thanksgiving is the point of the NHL schedule where teams take stock of where they are in the standings. Some have met expectations, others not so much. Same with players and we take a look at those who are deserving of an extra helping of acknowledgement with quarter-season awards and honours.

Best Player Rank Player GP G A PTS +/- 1 Sidney Crosby (PIT) 20 9 20 29 +6 2 Tyler Seguin (DAL) 22 17 11 28 +6 3 Steven Stamkos (TB) 22 14 10 24 +2

Crosby has been the best and remains the best. Seguin is getting better. Building upon an outstanding 2013-14 season, the thought of him not yet reaching his full potential has to make opponents shudder at what he may be capable of doing. Stamkos may not have eye-popping numbers but his game has become more complete and he impacts without having to score. Sounds like his GM, Steve Yzerman.

Hart Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS +/- 1 Mark Giordano (CGY) 23 6 18 24 +11 2 Sidney Crosby (PIT) 20 9 20 29 +6 3 Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) 22 12 11 23 +15

Giordano has been outstanding for the Flames. What he does on a game in game out basis has allowed the Flames to rekindle thoughts of the playoffs. Vladimir Tarasenko gives the Blues something they haven’t had since Brett Hull. A scoring threat who can win games single-handed.

Vezina Trophy Rank Player GP W-L-OT GAA SV% SO 1 Pekka Rinne (NAS) 18 14-3-1 1.97 .927 1 2 Jonathan Quick (LA) 18 10-4-4 2.22 .932 2 3 Jaroslav Halak (NYI) 14 10-4-0 2.23 .922 3

Rinne has been in net for every Nashville win to date. Enough said. Where would the Kings be without Quick? He has stolen points for a team that has uncharacteristically surrendered lots of shots. Halak is one part of Garth Snow’s off-season moves that has allowed the Islanders to be one of the NHL’s best teams. His overall numbers may not reflect his importance but the last seven games he has played certainly do.

Norris Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS +/- 1 Mark Giordano (CGY) 23 6 18 24 +11 2 T.J. Brodie (CGY) 23 5 13 18 +13 3 Shea Weber (NAS) 21 6 7 13 +9

If you are the MVP, then it follows you are the best defenceman. Brodie deserves accolades for forming a duo that is arguably the NHL’s best defence tandem. His abilities complement Giordano and he has been a huge catalyst for the Flames’ success. Weber will remain in the Norris discussion for the foreseeable future. Nicklas Lidstrom began his annual hold on the Norris Trophy at the age of 31 and Weber is looking to follow suit as a top defenceman in his thirties.

Best Defensive Defenceman Rank Player GP PTS ATOI +/- 1 Shea Weber (NAS) 21 13 26:59 +9 2 Ryan Suter (MIN) 20 11 29:13 +13 3 Duncan Keith (CHI) 21 13 25:27 +2

Weber is known for his tremendous shot but his defensive game is outstanding. Suter continues to master the balancing act of high minutes and superb play. A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Keith begins with defensive play that is a foundation of his overall success.

Calder Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS +/- 1 Filip Forsberg (NAS) 21 9 13 22 +18 2 Aaron Ekblad (FLA) 19 2 9 11 E 3 Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) 22 3 12 15 +6 HM John Klingberg (DAL) 8 3 5 8 +6

Forsberg brings skill, power and intensity that is leading the way for the Predators and leading the way for the Calder. Ekblad’s maturity may not be widely noticed but he is playing very effectively in a very difficult position for an 18-year-old. Can Gaudreau follow a Hobey Baker Award with a Calder? That is the question now, not whether or not he can play in the NHL. Klingberg has been outstanding in his first eight games in the NHL. The sample size is small but if his play continues over the longer haul, he will move himself into top contending status.

Lady Byng Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS PIM 1 Henrik Sedin (VAN) 22 5 16 21 2 2 Jakub Voracek (PHI) 20 7 22 29 6 3 Patric Hornqvist (PIT) 20 10 14 24 6

Sedin is producing again. He may epitomize the Lady Byng Trophy; a determined competitor who does it in a ‘within the rules’ framework. The interesting aspect of both Voracek’s and Hornqvist’s games is that they play with a power element. Playing that style is not conducive to Lady Byng consideration but perhaps the times they are a-changing.

Frank J. Selke Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS CORSI% 1 Jonathan Toews (CHI) 21 9 9 18 64.32 2 Jeff Carter (LA) 22 7 11 18 60.92 3 Patrice Bergeron (BOS) 23 5 11 16 56.99

Bergeron will always be in this discussion and he could easily be first but I like Toews’ ability to make an impact defensively and, at the same time, continue to contribute offensively. In Jonathan’s case one builds off of the other. Carter may be a surprise but since his move to centre ice, he has shown to be an exemplary defensive player. Given that he has worked with two relatively young wingers in Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, his all-around game deserves recognition.

Top General Manager Rank GM GP W-L-OT PTS 2013-14 FINISH 1 Garth Snow (NYI) 21 15-6-0 30 34-37-5 2 David Poile (NAS) 21 14-5-2 30 38-32-3 3 Jim Benning (VAN) 22 15-6-1 31 36-35-4

The Islanders are where they are in the standings because of Snow. His off-season moves have proven to be exactly what the Islanders needed. Experienced forwards, an accomplished goalie who stabilizes the position and the coup-de-grace in acquiring Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk on the eve of the season, have shown him to be both calculating and bold. Poile has added key offensive players to the Predators. The trade for Filip Forsberg in March, 2013 is one of the decade’s very best and along with James Neal and taking a chance on Mike Ribiero, Nashville doesn’t have to hope for scoring they can generate it. Jim Benning took over a franchise that many thought no longer had a ‘window’ to compete for a Stanley Cup. Hiring Willie Desjardins, navigating a very tricky situation with Ryan Kesler, shoring up the goaltending with the signing of Ryan Miller and adding Radim Vrbata to play with the Sedins has allowed the Canucks to return to form.

Jack Adams Award Rank Coach GP W-L-OT PTS 2013-14 FINISH 1 Bob Hartley (CGY) 23 13-8-2 28 35-40-4 2 Willie Desjardins (VAN) 22 15-6-1 31 36-35-4 3 Michel Therrien (MTL) 23 16-6-1 33 46-28-5

Hartley has high expectations so regardless of what others’ expectations were for the Flames, he has done a magnificent job. Keep in mind that he has lost three centres to injury: Matt Stajan, Mikael Backlund and Joe Colborne and they continue their winning ways. Desjardins led the Texas Stars to the Calder Cup championship last season and is showing a deft touch with the Canucks. Hopes have rebounded for the team in Vancouver. Expectations may not have been higher anywhere than in Montreal after the run to the Conference Final last season. The Canadiens are showing they are a team that don’t rely on any one player and their coach has instilled a belief in the team that they can be better than last year.