NHL Midseason Awards
Craig Custance - SportingNews.com
Jan 21, 2010
Sporting News' Craig Custance breaks down the midseason NHL awards leaders with help from Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan, who scouts the Calder Trophy class.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Injuries and Marian Gaborik might cost him a goal-scoring title, but Ovechkin, who ranks among the league's top five in points, goals and plus/minus, is having a huge year -- and so are his Caps.
Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
Duncan Keith, Blackhawks
Over the first half , he was the best defenseman on hockey's best defensive team. It's his time.
Vezina Trophy (top goalie)
Ryan Miller, Sabres
Currently, he's partly motivated by the drive to be Team USA's starting goalie, but Miller will keep it going after the Olympics.
Jack Adams Award (Best coach)
Dave Tippett, Coyotes
He's making a serious bid to get the Coyotes into the playoffs. If he succeeds, they might rename the trophy.
Calder Trophy (top rookie)
Ducks forward Bobby Ryan, the runner-up for the Calder last season, picks his five favorites to win this year's award:
1. John Tavares, C, Islanders. "With all the goals he has scored … he's a big reason why they're in (the mix) for a playoff spot."
2. Tyler Myers, D, Sabres. "He's a big boy (6-7, 204). He's got some big hands and moves the puck well."
3. Semyon Varlamov, G, Capitals. "He came in and played well in the playoffs for them, and he's just continued to do so. He's a very athletic goalie; he gets around well."
4. Victor Hedman, D, Lightning. "He logs a lot of minutes back there and moves the puck pretty well. Things are starting to slow down for him, and he's making some big-time plays."
5. Ryan O'Reilly, C, Avalanche. "He's having a really good year. He's killing penalties; he's just tenacious. He's all over the ice, and he's very responsible defensively already."
Craig Custance is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ccustance@sportingnews.com.
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