In this article, I will give my opinion on who should be nominated and who should win each award, and why. There are no set number of nominees, unlike in reality where there are only three per award. Players are listed alphabetically: Hart Memorial Trophy ? Most Valuable Player Last year?s winner: Sidney Crosby Martin Brodeur ? New Jersey Devils: Brodeur has just notched his 40th victory (2nd in the league), making this the seventh season of his career to do so, more than any other goalie before him. He won the Vezina last year (for the third time), earning more recognition than before because he wasn?t benefiting from any future Hall of Fame defensemen like seasons past (Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer). How much more so is his greatness shown this year, leading his team to the top of the Eastern Conference, despite no real stars around him? At the age of 35, he is showing no signs of slowing down, playing in all but 5 of his team?s games, and putting up a 92.2% save percentage (3rd in the league), and 2.13 goals against average (3rd). The Devils have given up the 2nd fewest goals in the league behind Detroit. If they stay atop the Eastern Conference, concluding a remarkable and improbable run, he deserves the hardware. Nicklas Lidstrom ? Detroit Red Wings: He is the best player on the best team in the league; their captain, and nearly 38 years of age. Despite missing about three weeks due to injury, he still sits 5th in the league in assists and 1st in plus/minus with a gaudy +40 rating. The Wings lost 4 of 6 games without him, and were said to be in trouble. This just proved his worth to the team by way of his intelligence and leadership. The team is 4-2 since his return and he has 6 assists. He plays over 26 minutes per game, rarely ever makes mistakes, and is a big reason the Wings are 1st in the league and have given up the fewest goals. Evgeni Malkin ? Pittsburgh Penguins: When the league?s reigning MVP went down with a bad ankle injury, the Penguins were written off for dead. Instead, second-year phenom Malkin kept the team above water, going 10-6-4 in the 20 games without the captain and keeping the team within striking distance of the Eastern Conference lead (currently 2 points back of New Jersey). In those 20 games, Malkin had 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points. His 102 points put him 2nd in the league. Sid may miss more time yet, so Malkin can continue to improve his chances at winning accolades in the summer. Alexander Ovechkin ? Washington Capitals: Alex leads the league in goals with 60 (and is not in jeopardy to be passed) and points with 106. He has 21 points in his last 10 games and is a +12 as his team is battling for a playoff spot (they are 2 points back of 8th place Boston, and 5 points back of their division leader Carolina). If Washington hurdles into the playoffs while Alex is playing this hot, he deserves this award. My pick: If the Capitals make the playoffs, Ovechkin wins the award hands down. If they don?t, and the Devils win or nearly win the East, it?s Brodeur?s award. Although I wouldn?t be surprised if Alex won it regardless because nobody really thought Washington would be relevant this late in the season. Vezina Trophy ? League?s Top Goalie Last year?s winner: Martin Brodeur Martin Brodeur ? New Jersey Devils: see Hart Memorial write-up. Jean-Sebastian Giguere ? Anaheim Ducks: When you?re 33-17-6, only allowing 2.11 goals against per game (2nd in the league) and stopping 92.3% of the shots you face (2nd in the league), and your team is a top-5 team in the entire league and a favorite to repeat as Stanley Cup champion, you have a good shot at winning this award. Evgeni Nabokov ? San Jose Sharks: His 42 wins lead the NHL, and he has started all but 4 of the Sharks games. He just finished winning 10 straight to put the Sharks within striking distance of the Red Wings and 1st overall in the Western Conference and entire NHL. He is stopping 91% of his shots and has a paltry 2.15 goals against, good for 4th in the league. My pick: Martin Brodeur. How can a guy who may very well win MVP, not win a ?lesser? trophy? James Norris Memorial Trophy ? League?s Top Defenseman Last year?s winner: Nicklas Lidstrom Brian Campbell ? San Jose Sharks: Since joining the Sharks, the team is a ridiculous 12-0-1 with Campbell in the lineup. He has posted 12 points, 7 of which came on the power play, is a +8 and has played around 25 minutes a night as his team has been the best in the league and are closing in on Detroit?s grip on 1st overall in the NHL. On the season, he is tied for 4th in scoring for a defenseman with 55, and is a +7 while averaging 25 minutes of ice-time for the season. Sergei Gonchar ? Pittsburgh Penguins: The 12-year veteran has been a stabilizing force for the young Pens' squad, and is set to post his first plus season since 2002-03 (he is +12). He has reached 60 points in 71 games, the third time in his career reaching the 60-point plateau, and has 41 power play points. And despite his age, he is averaging nearly 26 minutes per night, helping the team withstand Crosby?s absence to maintain one of the top records in the East. Nicklas Lidstrom ? Detroit Red Wings: Leads all defenseman in assists (57), points (65) and +/- (+40). See Hart Memorial write-up. My pick: Lidstrom is far and away the best blue-liner in the league. Calder Memorial Trophy ? League?s Top Rookie Last year?s winner: Evgeni Malkin Nicklas Backstrom ? Washington Capitals: In January he became the first ever rookie to have to back-to-back 4 assist games. He has 15 points in the team?s last 14 games as they try and make a run at a playoff spot (they sit 9th, 2 points back). He leads all rookies in assists (50) and is second in points (64) to go along with a respectable +10 rating. Tobias Enstrom ? Atlanta Thrashers: The steady defenseman leads all rookies in ice-time, averaging over 24 minutes a game. He also leads all rookies in power play points with 26. He has 33 assists, 38 points, and only 36 penalty minutes. His -9 rating will hurt him, but it's more a product of his team than his play. Patrick Kane ? Chicago Blackhawks: Last year?s #1 pick currently leads all rookies in points with 65, and is second in assists (47), third in goals (18), and second in power play points (25). After a February slump, he has 10 points in his last 10 games. His -8 rating, and the fact that his team is likely not going to make the playoffs (they sit 11th, 4 points back) are factors that may hurt him. Peter Mueller ? Phoenix Coyotes: His 22 goals and 7 power play goals lead all rookies. He is third in points with 53. Carey Price ? Montreal Canadiens: Since the trade deadline when he was handed the reins as the team?s starting netminder, Price is 8-3. His Canadiens are sitting atop the Eastern Conference and are the only team there to clinch a playoff berth. His 91.7% save percentage is tied for 11th in the league, and his 2.64 goals against is very respectable. He has stopped 18 of 22 shootout attempts and has 2 shutouts. His record is 20-12-3. My pick: If Price continues his hot streak to finish the regular season, he may sway voters his way. If Washington makes the playoffs, look for Backstrom to be the darkhorse winner. The battle between him and Kane for rookie skater supremacy will be an interesting storyline down the stretch. Jack Adams Award ? League?s Top Coach Last year?s winner: Alain Vigneault (Vancouver) Mike Babcock ? Detroit Red Wings: Detroit has held top spot in the NHL virtually the entire season. The remarkable thing is the amount of injuries they have had to withstand, including to major contributors Nick Lidstrom, Dominic Hasek, Brian Rafalski, Henrik Zetterberg, Daniel Cleary, Niklas Kronwall, Kirk Maltby, and now Brad Stuart. Guy Carbonneau ? Montreal Canadiens: It's safe to say that nobody picked Montreal to lead the Eastern Conference at all this season, let alone at the end of the regular season. A dominating win Monday night over Ottawa could be the tipping point in his favour. Brent Sutter ? New Jersey Devils: Rookie coach leads his team to the top of the Eastern Conference. It?s a great story, but they failed to stay there and are in a bit of a lull. Dave Tippett ? Dallas Stars: Lots of turmoil in the team?s front office to start the season must have been hard to deal with, but Tippett kept his mind on an even-keel and got the most out of his team as they currently sit fifth in the West. He also had to work around Marty Turco?s mid-season slump and the trade deadline acquisition of Brad Richards. My pick: Carbonneau, hands down. Frank J. Selke Trophy ? League?s Best Defensive Forward Last year?s winner: Rod Brind?Amour Pavel Datsyuk ? Detroit Red Wings: Known more for his offense, but his +39 rating leads all forwards, and he averages over 21 minutes per game. Ryan Kesler ? Vancouver Canucks: He has carved out a niche this year, centering the team?s checking line that is in charge of shutting down the opposition?s top offensive line. Despite his +4 rating, he has received league-wide recognition for his defensive efforts and has even contributed 20 goals this season. Ryan Getzlaf ? Anaheim Ducks: He is also known more for his offense (77 points in 74 games), but Getzlaf is often matched against the opposing team?s top line and is fifth among forwards with a +26 rating. John Madden ? New Jersey Devils: The perennial contender for this award is +3, playing 19 minutes a night (always against the other team?s best players) and has contributed 41 points. My pick: This year?s field is wide open with previous winners Brind?Amour and Jere Lehtinen only playing partial seasons due to injuries. Kesler deserves it, though, in my opinion. Lady Byng Memorial Trophy ? Most Sportsmanlike Player Last year?s winner: Pavel Datsyuk Pavel Datsyuk ? Detroit Red Wings: Despite playing over 21 minutes of 76 games this year, he only has 18 penalty minutes. He has won the past two awards. Victor Kozlov ? Washington Capitals: Eight penalties in 75 games will makes him a nominee for this award. Daymond Langkow ? Calgary Flames: He has played enough to log 61 points but has only amassed 19 minutes in penalties. Paul Statsny ? Colorado Avalanche: He doesn?t play the same rugged style his father did, and that has kept him out of the box (only 24 minutes in penalties). My pick: Datsyuk for the hat trick.