Despite a hugely negative response from fans and media who strongly disagreed with the NHL's rigid stance on the merits of televising a major event revealing of the outcome of a player selection process, league officials have sadly ignored feedback and chosen to again broadcast its awards show.
In addition, the event will feature the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft, where thousands of tourists in attendance and hundreds of television viewers will learn the names of the bad contracts and 5-10 goalscoring first liners heading to
Here is the usual quick rundown of the main awards (those that are voted on) and those in contention:
Hart Memorial Trophy
Voted on by: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association
Supposed to be awarded to: The player adjudged most valuable to his team
In practice, normally awarded to: A high-scoring forward, since goalies and defensemen "have their own awards", unlike high-scoring forwards
Sergei Bobrovsky (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Recipient of the Order of Honor from President Vladimir Putin following the Russian team’s 2014 World Championships victory, perhaps explaining his apparent disinterest in a Stanley Cup win, since he is already welcome at the White House whenever he likes.
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Has a chance to become only the second player, alongside Gordie Howe, to win a Hart at least ten years after first doing so, a feat sure to remain unmatched until Jaromir Jágr's victory in the 2024/25 season.
Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
Despite some controversy, was content with his third place finish in Calder Trophy voting a year ago, citing a long-standing team policy of not accepting major gifts after only being competitive for half a season.
Ted Lindsay Award
Voted on by: Members of the National Hockey League Players' Association
Supposed to be awarded to: The most outstanding player in the NHL
In practice, normally awarded to: "Whatever means the lowest escrow"
Brent Burns (San Jose Sharks)
Living up to the expectations of scouts prior to the now-vaunted 2003 draft, who claimed that drafting a right-wing at least 6-5 220lb would either result in an elite scoring defensemen or something marginally less valuable.
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Some fellow players have apparently soured on the Penguins star, without being sure of the reasons; one Canadian defenseman admitting off the record that his vote had gone elsewhere but "couldn't quite put his finger on it" as to why.
Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
With the Oilers' chances of success resting so heavily on the continued good fortune of keeping their star centre healthy, the fans at Rogers Place have not only been crossing their fingers but also crossing their legs all season.
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| Powerful symbolism on display at the 2016 awards show as sitting above the shoulders of Patrick Kane are personifications of good conscience (Ted Lindsay) and evil conscience (Patrick Kane) |
Voted on by: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association
Supposed to be awarded to: The defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position
In practice, normally awarded to: The Canadian defense player who demonstrates throughout October the greatest all-round ability to be "due" in the eyes of 90% of the press
Brent Burns (San Jose Sharks)
29 goals and 76 points from the blue line makes him a candidate for the award. Being from Ontario, unshaven, without front teeth and playing in California makes him the odds-on favourite.
Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Has been likened to Chris Pronger due to his very similar size, being a fellow #2 overall draft pick and the value for money provided by his contract to an unfashionable sunbelt franchise.
Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators)
During the season, proposed to his girlfriend by putting a ring on top of a pizza, the unusual approach seen by most people as a heartwarming gesture, but mostly criticised by Canadian hockey writers as the pizza wasn't Doughy enough.
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| In most years, awards night provides a rare opportunity for P.K. Subban to not have to cope with people with white faces pointing at him and trying to hold him back |
Supposed to be awarded to: The goaltender who is adjudged to be the best at this position
In practice, normally awarded to: The goaltender who is adjudged to be the best at wins, GAA and clutch wins
Sergei Bobrovsky (Columbus Blue Jackets)
After his second season in the NHL was mostly spent backing up Ilya Bryzgalov who had just signed a nine-year contract, was traded away by the Philadelphia Flyers, a choice considered by some knowledgeable observers to be in the top 500 of worst goalie decisions made in Flyers’ history.
Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals)
If securing a save percentage north of .900 in matching the career accomplishment of two playoff series defeats to the Pittsburgh Penguins was not enough, a second Vezina win would surely raise him above Jim Carey in the pantheon of Capitals netminders.
Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens)
Wife Angela's maiden name is Webber, so while their marriage will be entirely free of distractions, things will likely sour over the next ten years and be very expensive to get out of.
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| The strain of Vancouver's poor play over recent years is beginning to show on Henrik Sedin, but not so much on Daniel for some reason |
Voted on by: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association
Supposed to be awarded to: The player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League
In practice, normally awarded to: The player selected as the highest point-scoring forward in what might be his third year of competition in the National Hockey League after what might be no or several years of competition in another professional league
Patrik Laine (Winnipeg Jets)
The flashy winger has been likened to both Teemu Selänne and Alexander Ovechkin by virtue of also never having scored a playoff goal for the Colorado Avalanche.
Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Among many impressive rookie accomplishments, uniquely managed to score four goals in a game in Ottawa without Nick Holden and Marc Staal being on the ice for any of them.
Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Despite a stellar first year, perhaps gained most recognition as a result of the Pittsburgh Penguins scoring a playoff goal while he staggered up slowly from a prone position in the middle of the defensive zone, a tactic brought to prominence in recent years by Brooks Orpik.
Frank J. Selke Trophy
Voted on by: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association
Supposed to be awarded to: The forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game
In practice, normally awarded to: The forward who is considered by PHWA members to be the best defensively, based on a balanced analysis of zone-starts, Corsi %, quality of competition, usage and shot prevention while shorthanded and penalty differential, though an insignificant minority might just look at reputation and plus-minus.
Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins)
Has taken 5,725 face-offs over the past three seasons, more than any other player in the league, a number which translates to roughly the same amount of time spent hunched over during Bruins games as players speared by Brad Marchand.
Ryan Kesler (Anaheim Ducks)
A regular Selke finalist and in the top five in voting in six of the past nine years, it remains a mystery why the thoughtful voters went somewhat cold on his candidacy during the other three years...
Mikko Koivu (Minnesota Wild)
Curiously, would become only the third Selke winner in the past 22 years to have been a top-10 overall draft pick. Coincidentally, no Edmonton Oiler has finished higher than 33rd in voting since the 2005/06 season.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Voted on by: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association
Supposed to be awarded to: The player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey
In practice, normally awarded to: The player who missed the most games through injury the season before, especially if injury caused by incident of vehicular donutshopicide
Craig Anderson (Ottawa Senators)
Known throughout his junior career as Craig Andersson despite it not being his actual surname, was forced to drop the extra 's' on signing with the Chicago Blackhawks after director of player personnel Dale Tallon, a notorious stickler for proper contractual procedure, noticed the discrepancy.
Andrew Cogliano (Anaheim Ducks)
Played four seasons in Edmonton between 2007 and 2011 before spending some time in the Austrian League in 2012/13.
Derek Ryan (Carolina Hurricanes)
Played four seasons in Edmonton between 2007 and 2011 before spending some time in the Austrian League in 2012/13, but never had to play for the Oilers or be a teammate of Corey Perry, so is definitely behind at least one other finalist in the voting for the award.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Voted on by: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association
Supposed to be awarded to: The player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability
In practice, normally awarded to: The player adjudged to have had the fewest penalty minutes when the voters quickly skim down the list of top 20 scorers five minutes before the deadline to send in their ballot
Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames)
Notably suffered a fractured finger this season after being the target of stickwork from several Minnesota Wild players, making him one of the many thousands of men in Alberta to be unable to take a slash during a hockey game this year.
Mikael Granlund (Minnesota Wild)
Drafted 9th overall in the 2010 draft, behind the likes of Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin and Nino Niederreiter, meaning he is scheduled to be given away in a terrible trade any day now.
Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues)
Drafted 16th overall in the 2010 draft, behind the likes of Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin and Nino Niederreiter, meaning he is scheduled to be given away for 24 games of David Rundblad any day now.
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| Among his many career awards, Guy Lafleur was the very last recipient of the since-discontinued Worried Bear Face plaque (front left) in 1978 |
Voted on by: Members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association
Supposed to be awarded to: The coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success
In practice, normally awarded to: The coach adjudged to have coached either the most injured team or the team with the best PDO/shootout-fuelled record.
Mike Babcock (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Although surprisingly not a previous winner of the award, could be considered to be the Connor McDavid of coaches, if only for narrowly avoiding ending up in Buffalo before earning a massive contract in Canada.
Todd McLellan (Edmonton Oilers)
Originally a New York Islanders draft pick, played a handful of games for that franchise before moving on to much greater success in later life, which is thought to be very much be a unique career path.
John Tortorella (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Despite a famously fractious relationship with the media, has recently been counselling hundreds of ex-ESPN journalists due to his shared experience of once having all his duties being assumed by an unqualified Barry Melrose.
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| The Jack Adams Award features two circular objects on its base, but is unlikely to ever see a third round |
General Manager of the Year Award
Voted on by: General Managers of all NHL clubs and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media
Supposed to be awarded to: The top National Hockey League General Manager
In practice, normally awarded to: The National Hockey League General Manager Most Unexpectedly In The Conference Final Regardless Of What He Did This Year Because That's Weirdly When the Voting Is Done
Peter Chiarelli (Edmonton Oilers)
His acquisition of a key Swedish defenseman has been credited as a major reason for the Oilers’ vast improvement and, while controversial, it is now clear that injured Oscar Klefbom is the price you have to pay to trade for healthy Oscar Klefbom.
Pierre Dorion (Ottawa Senators)
Already in his brief time in the role, has displayed commendable loyalty and a desire to keep people in jobs longer than others might have done, Chris Neil and Jim Benning, for example.
David Poile (Nashville Predators)
The veteran GM’s much-respected tenure in Nashville follows on from a lengthy body of work in successfully developing Washington Capitals draft picks into stars, such as Peter Bondra, Sergei Gonchar and Filip Forsberg.
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Awards post archive:
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