Thomas, Chara Hope To Add To Trophy Case At NHL Awards

It’s awards night for the National Hockey League. After a long regular season that started in Europe (with the Boston Bruins as one of the teams playing in Europe)and exciting postseason (which ended with the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup), everyone gets a chance to relax, have fun, and celebrate some amazing performances.

Two Bruins are up for awards: Tim Thomas for the Vezina Tropjyand Zdeno Chara for the Norris Trophy. After winning the Stanley Cup a week ago, neither player is that concerned about winning one of the individual awards.

Vezina Trophy

Thomas, who is nominated along with his Stanley Cup opponent Roberto Luongo of Vancouver and Pekka Rinne of Nashville, could cap an impressive triple crown with a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe Award as playoff MVP, and a Vezina all in a week.

“I have been fortunate to win the Conn Smythe and the Stanley Cup already this year and the Vezina is another one of those trophies that is a huge honor to win,” Thomas told NHL.com. “It’s another thing that is special. There are two other goalies here that are awesome, too.”

Tim Thomas highlight video from You Tube

Both Luongo and Rinne had superb seasons, with Luongo posting a 38-15-7 record with shutouts, a 2.11 goals against average and a .928 save percentage, and Rinne going 33-22-9 with six shutouts, a 2.12 GAA and a .930 save percentage. Thomas, meanwhile, posted a 35-11-9 record with nine shutouts, a 2.00 GAA, and an NHL-record .938 save percentage.

Who should win? Thomas

Who will win? Thomas

Norris Trophy

Former winner Chara (14-30-44, plus-33) has some stiff competition for the Norris, as young star Shea Weber (16-32-48, plus-7)and six-time winner Nicklas Lidstron (16-46-62, minus-2) are the other finalists. All three are Norris-worthy, and all three bring a little something different to the table.

Who should win? Chara, who plays against the other team’s forwards night in and night out.

Who will win? Lidstrom. A career-capper for one of the game’s all-time greatest defesemen.

Calder Trophy

Finalists: Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture, Michael Grabner

Who should win? Couture, who had 32 goals, including 8 game-winners.

Who will win? Skinner, who led all rookies with 63 points.

Jack Adams Trophy

Finalists: Dan Bylsma, Barry Trotz, Alain Vigneault

Who should win? Bylsma led Pittsburgh to a 106-point season despite injuries.

Who will win? Vigneault, who led the Canucks to the President’s Trophy.

Hart Trophy:

Finalists: Martin St. Louis, Henrik Sedin, Corey Perry

Who should win? Perry was the best player on his team, and helped others elevate their game. Without him, the Ducks are nowhere near the playoffs.

Who will win? Sedin for leading the league in scoring and being the best player on the best team.