Lidstrom, Datsyuk Claim NHL Hardware

Two Detroit Red Wings claimed trophies at the 2006 NHL Awards Show on Thursday night. Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom walked away with the James Norris Memorial Trophy while forward Pavel Datsyuk was given the Lady Byng Trophy.

Lidstrom earned the Norris Trophy – awarded to the league’s best defenseman – for the fourth time in five years. He has been nominated for the award seven of the last eight years. Leading the league’s defensemen in scoring, Lidstrom beat out Anaheim’s Scott Niedermayer, the 2004 winner, and Dallas’ Sergei Zubov.

Datsyuk’s 22 penalty minutes in 75 games played helped him edge out San Jose’s Patrick Marleau and Tampa Bay’s Brad Richards, who was awarded the trophy in 2004. He becomes the first Red Wing since Marcel Dionne in 1975 to win the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded for “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

San Jose’s Joe Thornton and Jaromir Jagr of the New York Rangers split the MVP awards, with Thornton claiming the Hart Memorial Trophy and Jagr claiming the Lester B. Pearson Award.

Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie while Rod Brind’Amour of the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes was named the best defensive forward with the Frank J. Selke Trophy.

After a heated race, Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals beat out Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the rookie of the year.

Buffalo head coach was awarded the Jack Adams Award as the coach of the year.