Thoughts on the NHL Awards

I don’t think any of tonight’s NHL award winners surprised me except for the one Detroit win.

Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom claimed his seventh Norris Trophy and I have to wonder if it was intended to be a going away present from a media contingent that thought he was going to retire.

I think Lidstrom deserved the award despite his a plus/minus on the negative side for the first time in his career. That said, Zdeno Chara had an incredible year and Shea Weber was a “sexy” pick, I didn’t think there would be enough votes for Lidstrom.

Seven Norris Trophies is incredible. Only Bobby Orr has more at eight, with Lidstrom now having tied Doug Harvey. Elite company, for sure.

I can’t say I’m shocked that Pavel Datsyuk didn’t retain the Selke Trophy, as there were thoughts that Ryan Kesler would take it last season. The Lady Byng was Martin St. Louis’ to lose so Lidstrom didn’t have a shot there.

As for the show itself… Wings fans have joked about Norris Trophy winner “Niklas Lindstrom” for years so we shouldn’t be surprised when the presenters continue to mangle names. Several “Lindstrom” occurrances tonight, a reference to “Steve Why-zerman” and a mangled “Martin Saint Lewis.”

I complained about that to my wife after the show and I like the point she made. These are the best of the best NHL players. How is it acceptable for the league to show them so little respect?

My thinking was that it was insulting to the fans that the league can’t even pull together presenters who can pretend like they want to be there. If it’s offensive to us, how bad is it for the players who busted their asses to get there?

That said, this has been happening for years, you have to think the players would have brought it up by now if it were an issue. I have to bet we’ll see it next year, too.