Most hockey fans that read this will think that I have gone completely mental. Most people that know me think this already. Oiler fans that read this will instantly scoff, roll their eyes, and remind us that it has never been done before. Not even when Wayne, Mark, Paul, Jurri and Grant were all playing on the same team.
Will it happen? Not likely. In fact, it’s pretty bloody unrealistic.
Could it happen? You’re damn skippy it could, and here’s why;
Art Ross Trophy & Hart Memorial Trophy (Top point scorer in the NHL, and MVP):
Winner – Jarome Iginla
First off, almost every time a forward wins one, he wins the other. In the last 5 years, this has been the case. That isn’t the way I made it, it’s just the way it is. The only exception during that five year run was when a crappy second string goalie picks up the pity vote cause he plays for an original six team.
Iggy is an elite scorer in the NHL, everyone knows this (EVERYONE!). Even those that reside 287km north of here understand that Iggy is among the top forwards in the game. Remember 2002? Iggy took home this very award that year. Thanks to his best season to date, tallying 52 goals and 44 assists for 96 points. Last year, Thorton had some decent reuslts before moving over to San Jose, but that’s where he really started to light it up. Playing with a highly skilled sniper in Cheechoo did nothing but help out Joe, and I believe that Tanguay will do the same for Iggy. Again some might question my claim that Tanguay is as dangerous as Cheecho. To those people, I say this; prior to last year (where Cheechoo won the Rocket Richard trophy) how many of you would have picked Cheechoo higher in your hockey pools than Tangs...?
That’s what I thought; none of you. Tanguay has put up consistant numbers for a number of seasons, and playing with another superstar in Jarome certainly shouldn't harm his production. Iggy is about to embark on a season in which he will be playing with the most talented surrounding cast of his NHL career, and he could put up enough points to win both of these.
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward in the NHL):
Winner – Stephane Yelle
This is easily my least favorite award that the NHL gives out. Prior to last season (I didn’t mind Rod the Bod winning it), it always seems to be a goal scoring contest between the leagues top five ‘defensive’ forwards. That’s right folks, a goal scoring contest for a defensive award!
Last year ol’ Sandpaper (Stephane’s nickname) blocked 721,567* shots, constantly sacrificed his body, and won a huge number of face-offs. Despite his low goal total, Yelle was re-signed by Sutter immediately. Sutter doesn’t own a suit that isn’t hideous, but he does have a legitimate defensive stud in Yeller.
James Norris Memorial Trophy (Top Defenseman in the NHL):
(*approximate)
Winner – Dion Phaneuf
Nicklas Lidstrom, you had a good run, but now its over. You're getting older and hell, you have won this bloody thing 4 out the last 5 years, but it’s time to face facts.
Fact: Dion scored 20 goals (16 on the PP) and 29 assists for 49 points last year, and I see no reason that he won’t continue to improve these numbers.
Fact: Dion is one of the most exciting players in the NHL right now. In fact, no one has led the league in OHMYGOD hits like this guy since Scott Stevens.
Fact: If you don’t give him this award after he was passed over for the Calder, he will eat each and everyone of you.
Vezina Trophy (Top Goalie in the NHL):
Two words.
Mikka Kiprusoff.
Calder Memorial Trophy (Top Rookie in the NHL):
Winner – Andrei Taratukhin
Okay, even I don’t really think this could happen, but…
Malkin is everyone’s pick prior to the season, because, well, he is awesome and happens to play with some guy named Sidney. However, currently he is hurt and not expected back for the beginning of the season.
Taratukhin is not hurt. He has a chance to play right off the gate, and maybe get some points together.
Also, he's Russian and last year a Russian won it. So there.
That’s how I see it.
Feel free to post a comment on any of the following:
How much I rule.
How completely out to lunch I am.
How Edmonton will regret the loss of Ty Conklin before the season is out.
How I did not include the Lady Byng trophy as a major award.
