The Trophy Cabinet

Ted Kennedy, Jean Beliveau, Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and now Corey Perry. First of all, I want to congratulate Corey Perry on winning the Hart trophy, which is given to the player who is most valuable to his team. In Perry's defense, I think they nailed this one right on the head. Without Perry, the Ducks would not have made the playoffs. He was essential in the Ducks late season push towards the playoffs, with 19 goals in his last 16 games. Not discrediting the hard work and pure talent the other two players (Daniel Sedin, Martin St. Louis) showed on a nightly basis, but I believe that both of their respected teams would still have made the playoffs with either of them.

Perry was the only player to score 50 goals this year, 11 of them being game winners, which was tied for the league lead. So where does Perry go from here? Well, let's start with what he has done so far. Here is a short list of his accomplishments. I'm only going to be listing Major Hardware here.

Juniors:

• 2004–05 - Memorial Cup - Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy (MVP)
• 2004–05 - OHL - Red Tilson Trophy (Most Outstanding Player)
• 2004–05 - OHL - Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (Leading Scorer)
• 2004–05 - OHL - Wayne Gretzky 99 Award (Playoff MVP)

NHL:

• 2006–07 - NHL - Stanley Cup (Anaheim)
• 2010–11 - NHL - Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
• 2010–11 - NHL - Hart Memorial Trophy

International:

• 2005 - IIHF World Junior Championships gold medal (Canada)
• 2010 - Olympic gold medal (Canada)

Being 26 years old and having already won a lot of the major hardware you can get, he sure is a shoe in for the Hall of Fame.

So, where does he go now from here? I wouldn't be surprised if Perry gets a Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy before he retires. He certainly is in THAT class of people. As for the Conn Smythe, The Ducks are only a few players away from having a serious contending team. From what I hear about Columbus and Detroit moving to the Eastern Conference, this could open up the Flood gates for Chicago, Anahiem and.. well, every other single team in the Western Conference.

Burke's Game Plan

Brian Burke, GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs appeared on the Bryan Hayes Show on TSN Radio Monday and talked about what his game plan is over the next few weeks.

Burke said he is looking to move up in the draft, but if the Leafs stay where they are, that's alright too. He went on to say that there are no superstars in this draft but tons of talent, well beyond the top 50.

Also he talked about goaltending. He was asked if he was going to try and sign a veteran goaltender, and responded back saying he has faith in what they have, The Monster is not experiencing goaltending problems, just health issues. He feels James Reimer is ready for the big time action.

Burke mentioned that he will be looking to trade for a top line center, also stating that he has not thought about sending an offer sheet to anyone as of yet.
The Leafs GM also talked about potentially upgrading the bottom 6 forwards as well as well his defense corp.

Burke said he can not rely on just home grown talent because everyone's home grown talent is advancing each year, so if they stay the course with that, then improvement wont really happen.

The Leafs are not looking to send an offer sheet out, and are not afraid of an offersheet coming this way, again, because of the cap space. Also not afraid of MacArtur going to arbitration, because the Leafs have the cap space, and its within the rules of the CBA.

I am looking forward to the next couple weeks. It will give us a better outlook of where the Leafs may finish next year,

BRichards

First, I would like to point out that the odds of BRichards coming to Toronto are pretty slim. The New York Rangers are on his short list of teams to go to, as well as The Tampa Bay Lightning, as he stated during the playoffs in an interview.

New York: The Rangers want him, and he wants them. They have the cap room to be able to get him. It really depends how badly they want him. If he is the guy they want, they will be the team to get him.

Tampa Bay: If they offer the right amount of money and right length, he will go there. This is his team of preference right now I believe. I think something in the 7mil range more than 5 years. If Tampa offers him that, he will pick them over any other offer.

Toronto: There is no doubt in my mind, that BRichards is exactly what the Maple Leafs need. He'd fit fine between Kessel and Lupul on that top line in Toronto that desperately needs a bonafide center. I will list the pros and cons of BRichards coming to TO.

Pros:

1. again, fits well with Kessel and Lupul. Unless there is 0 chemisrty between BRichards and the other two, this will just work!
2. Conn Smythe/Stanley Cup. This guy was the force behind the Cup drive for Tampa Bay. Named the MVP of the playoffs speaks for it's self. He shows up when he is needed the most!
3. BRichards is nearly a point per game player his career. I am sure with Kessel and Lupul on his line, he'd reach the 100 point plateau
4. does not require giving anything up out of the current system. No draft picks, no prospect, no roster players.
   

Cons:

1. He suffered a concussion last season in Dallas and missed a few games.
2. This is more like 1A. In the last 5 years he has missed 46 games with injury. It's not really that bad, only an average of 10 games a year, but still injured in each of the last 4 seasons. Could turn into a player who is always injured.
3. Big money. In order to get Brad to come to Toronto, the contract would have to be big and long. Upwards in the range of 8 mil+ per year, and at least 7 years, but probably 10 years.

In my opinion, this is the guy that the Leafs have always needed. The go to guy that can make the players around him better, especially the solo gun Kessel. BRichards comes to TO and Kessel gets 50. This is a no brainer Burke. Dish out the money, get this guy here, and slap #91 on his back. Oh, and MLSE... think about how many Richards jerseys you would sell!

NHL Award Predictions

The 2011 NHL Awards show is in Las Vegas again this year, this coming Thusrday, June 22nd and can be seen on CBC at 7 p.m. ET.

1st I will get out of the way the trophies that are automatics.

ART ROSS TROPHY - Given to the player who accumulates the most points in the regular season:
Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks - 104 points

MAURICE "ROCKET" RICHARD TROPHY - Given to the player who scores the most goals in the regular season.
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks - 50 goals

WILLIAM M. JENNINGS TROPHY - Given to the Goalie tandem that lets in the few goals combine.
Roberto Luongo & Cory Schneider, Vancouver Canucks - 177 goals allowed


The following trophies are voted on by the members of the media. Players in BOLD are who I think are going to win.

VEZINA TROPHY - Top Goaltender
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins - Hands down best goalie this year. It's a gimme.

FRANK J. SELKE TROPHY - Top Defensive Forward
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings - Last year it was nearly a tie for this man and Kesler. This season its a toss up as well. I'm going with Datsyuk though.
Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY - Skill/Sportsmanship
Loui Eriksson, Dallas Stars
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings - Lidstrom's to lose.
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY - Top Rookie
Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks
Michael Grabner, New York Islanders
Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes - All Star game speaks for it's self. Not because he's a rookie, he made the team!

JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY - Top Defenseman
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings - Lidstrom will win this.. again.
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators

BILL MASTERTON MEMORIAL TROPHY - Perseverance & Dedication to Hockey
Ray Emery, Anaheim Ducks - Makes sense.
Daymond Langkow, Calgary Flames
Ian Laperriere, Philadelphia Flyers

NHL FOUNDATION PLAYER AWARD - Contributions to Charitable Causes
Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings
Mike Green, Washington Capitals - Mike Green is very charitable.
Daniel & Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

JACK ADAMS AWARD - Top Head Coach
Dan Bylsma, Pittsburgh Penguins - With his two main stars out most of the year, and taking into consideration where they finished in the standings, there is no reason why any of the other coaches on this list should get it.
Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators
Alain Vigneault, Vancouver Canucks

HART MEMORIAL TROPHY - Most Valuable Player to his team
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks - Without the Daniel Sedin, the Canucks still make the playoffs, but without Corey Perry, the Ducks don't make the playoffs.
Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

TED LINDSAY AWARD (Formerly Lester B. Pearson Award) - MVP Voted by the NHLPA
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning - Stamkos will get this because from what I have seen, the players don't like the Sedin's much, and Stamkos is pretty charismatic.

GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD - Top General Manager
Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks
David Poile, Nashville Predators
Steve Yzerman, Tampa Bay Lightning - Brilliant work. Anything Stevie Y touches turns to gold!

MARK MESSIER LEADERSHIP AWARD - Top Leader in Hockey
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings - Learned from the best, Stevie Y


Other trophies given out this year.

CONN SMYTHE TROPHY - Playoff MVP
Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins


TEAM AWARDS

PRESIDENT'S TROPHY - Top Team Based on Points
Vancouver Canucks - 117 Pts.

PRINCE OF WALES TROPHY - Eastern Conference Champions
Boston Bruins

CLARENCE S. CAMPBELL TROPHY - Western Conference Champions
Vancouver Canucks

2011 Stanley Cup Champions
Boston Bruins

There you have it. These are the people that I believe will win.

What's in a Name?

I was a new fan to hockey when the Winnipeg Jets were torn from the city and sent to Phoenix, to become that Coyotes. There is a lot of history with that team, for the fans. The team never really accomplished anything, but to the fans, its no different than the Leafs, or the Flames, or any other team. It was their team. They spent the money to go to the games, to buy the jerseys and the hats. They fell in love with the Jets, told stories to their children, maybe even took their children to games.

As you all know, Winnipeg received a team, when The Atlanta Thrashers no longer had solid ownership, and no one was able to purchase them. They city that lost their team 15 years ago, finally will have NHL hockey back. Now that The Winnipeg Nameless have their GM in place, and are looking for their coaching staff, they still have to figure out what they are going to call this team. From what I have seen online, the people in the town want them to be called the Jets again. I do not have a problem with this, but there are some down falls to giving them that name.

First and foremost they are not the Winnipeg Jets. They are the Atanta Thrashers. Now that they are in Winnipeg, they will have a new logo and a new name (probably) but they will have all of the old Atlanta Thrasher records. As well, their retired numbers will not be available. I do not think that is a big deal since The Thrashers only retired jerseys are #37, Dan Snyder and #99 Wayne Gretzky (Retired league wide). Also, since they are not the real Winnipeg Jets, they will not have access to the retired Jerseys in Phoenix either #9 Bobby Hull, #10 Dale Hawerchuk, #25 Thomas Steen, #27 Teppo Numminen. They would not be able to hang them up in those retired number banners up in their arena either, because they belong to another franchise.

Something else to take into account is the fact that True North Sports group that purchased and moved the Thrashers also own the AHL Manitoba Moose. In the last two weeks, they have moved that franchise to St. John's, Newfoundland. They are in the process of renaming them. During the last decade, the Moose have played in the building that will be home to the Winnipeg Nameless, the MTS center. True North has branded that arena with Moose logos, and have promoted The Manitoba Moose Brand all over the province. All that money they have spent would be for not.

I strongly believe that the longer it takes them to name the team, the better the chances are that they will be called the Manitoba Moose. And so they should be. They certainly are not the Winnipeg Jets.

Season Ending Recap

The NHL season ended on a positive and negative note this year. Congratulations goes out to Zdeno Chara and hit Boston Bruins on snapping a 39 year Stanley Cup drought! As well, congratulations goes out to Tim Thomas on your Conn Smythe Trophy, well deserved!

The other side of the line is the Vancouver Canucks. 1st of all, I want to congratulate the Canucks on a wonderful run. Setting aside all statistical data, you were in game 7 of a Stanley Cup finals, you overcame one of your toughest obstacles that has haunted you the last two years, the Chicago Blackhawks, and you did all this with key players hurt. That being said there are a few questions that they have to ask themselves next year. I'm not going to mention that 4 letter word starting with R, that took place after game 7.

The Maple Leafs finished the season off on a high note. Finishing higher in the standings than last year, on a near magical run from the All-Star break on. James "Optimus Reim" "Busta Reims" "The Reim-inister of Goaltending" Reimer finished with a 20-10-5 record with a 2.60 GAA and a 0.921 Save%. He also got 3 shutouts. His 1st career shutout coming against Carolina on February 3rd 2011.

The Leafs made a few trades later in the year to acquire some draft picks and some decent talent for the farm. Sending Thomas Kaberle to Boston and receiving C- Joe Colbourne, Boston's 1st round pick and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2012. The BOS 1st round pick turns out to be 30th pick, because Boston won that Stanley Cup. The conditional 2nd round pick is based on Boston making it to the Stanley Cup finals, which they did. Nice to have that extra pick in the draft cupboard.

Also the Leafs traded Chris Versteeg to the Philadelphia Flyers exchange for the Flyers' 1st round and 3rdround draft picks in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, which starts next Friday.

That leaves the Leafs with 3 picks int he top 39. #25 (PHI) #30 (BOS) and #39 (TOR).

Leafs are looking for a top 4 puck moving defenceman, a top line center for Kessel and Lupul. and perhaps someone that can replace Clarke MacArthur if he does not resign.

Leafs need to get Luke Schenn under contract, he is an RFA as of July 1st.

Next up for Toronto and the NHL? Awards show Thursday, June 22nd, Draft June 23rd, July 1st is free agent day.

Official Launch!

Today is the official launch of the blog, and our Facebook page as well as the launch of our twitter account.

Come back as often as you like to get the views and opinions on things going on around in the hockey world. Feel free to ask a question if you want my opinion on something as well.

Game 7...

A friend asked me today, "Jeff, what do you think is going to happen tomorrow in game 7?"

I told my friend that this is game 7. Game 7's are so unpredictable because anything can happen. No lead will be safe, players will be laying it all on the line, and the two goalies will should be the stars of the show. Throw away the stats, and watch the players lay it all out in 1 game, for everything!


There is no reason in my mind that Luongo won't be bringing it tomorrow night. He is at home, he has all the doubts from everyone outside of BC, and even a few inside BC. But in my opinion, Luongo brings it tomorrow night, and he brings it good!

I believe that since so much is on the line, it will be a close game, similar to the low scoring games in Vancouver in this series. I'm thinking its going to be probably 3-2. Thomas is going to be great, Luongo is going to be great. I think the big players are going to bring it for their teams. The Sedins, Lucic, Bergy, Kesler, Marchand all are going to have big games for their teams.

If this game goes to overtime, it will be such an epic game. The player I would have to pick is Thomas Kaberle to get the OT winner if does go to OT.

When I think about the game tomorrow night, all I can see is Tim Thomas hoisting the Cup, right after hoisting his Conn Smythe Trophy. I'm going with my gut and my original pick (Boston in 7)

Remember, this is game 7. Anything can happen.

...And The Smythe Goes To..

Unless there is some sort of shocking revelation in the Canucks dressing room, and Sedin's or Kesler come out and get 15 or 20 goals, or Luongo make 200 save in a shutout tonight, The Conn Smythe Trophy will be given to Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins.

The Conn Smythe Trophy is an annual award given to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs. The winner is selected by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the conclusion of the final game in the Stanley Cup finals.

The Smythe Trophy was presented by Maple Leaf Gardens Limited in 1964 to honor Conn Smythe, the former coach, manager, president and owner-governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

-NHL.com

In the event that the Canucks win the cup, and Thomas is awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, he will be only the 6th player in the history of the trophy to have won it being on the losing team in the finals. Reggie Leach is the only non goalie to ever win the Conn Smythe being on the losing team.

Thomas in the playoffs has a 2.07 GAA, a .937, and has faced 774 shots on net, nearly 100 more than the next goalie, Luongo. Thomas has been a beast in the finals as well. He has only let in 6 goals in 5 games, posting a shutout in game 4 (4-0 Boston win) and keeping the bruins in the games that were in Vancouver.

I can't see any other player being more deserving than Timmy Thomas. Maybe Luongo can win it if he makes more than 50 saves tonight in a shutout win, but I don't even think that would win it for him. This trophy is Thomas' to lose.

We all know that this trophy means nothing to the players. The big silver one is the only one they care about.

Classless...

My finals words leading into game 6 of the Stanley cup finals. Whether Vancouver wins the cup on Monday night, or Boston pushes it to game 7, there is not much more I can say about this series. What this series symbolizes, is the worst of many things.

The first being Patriotism. Patriotism can be great, but it can also get you in trouble. In this case, the patriotism in this country for the Vancouver Canucks is not good. The entire country is supporting a team that plays with 0 integrity and 0 class. It's giving Canadians, and Canadian hockey a bad name.

The second thing is the refereeing. I never understood, why they enforce the rules one night, and not the next night. I can't begin to fathom why the Rules in game #27 of the regular season are so much different than the rules in game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals. People are always saying "Oh good, the ref put the whistle away and are going to let these two teams play" This does nothing beneficial for the sport. All this does, is let the cheap players play their style and not get penalized for it.

Finally the 3rd thing that series symbolizes, is how Karma is not existent. It baffles me beyond belief, how the hockey gods can allow the same people that lie, cheat and steal their way into the finals, to be the players that score the Game winning goals. All three game winning goals, for Vancouver, have been scored by the rats that plague the ice with their 5th grade antics, whether it be biting or tattling, or whatever else these professional hockey players are doing on the ice. Burrows, Torres, and Ratpierre.

You all wonder why I am Canadian, and I am not cheering for Vancouver? I will not cheer for this team, because it has zero class, and not one ounce of integrity. This team is an outright disgrace to this country. They do not play Canadian hockey, they do not represent Canada, and they do not deserve to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup.