Calder Trophy (rookie of the year)
This was quite a year for freshmen, especially in Chicago, where the Hawks had a franchise re-awakening with the likes of first-year forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

Now, the envelope, please ... the winner is ... Nicklas Backstrom?

Yes, Nicklas Backstrom, who was overshadowed, if not lost, in D.C., given the heroics of one Alexander Ovechkin. But make no mistake, Backstrom is the real deal. The 20-year-old center, the fourth pick in the 2006 draft, finished with 14 goals and 69 points, a mere three notches below the top-scoring Kane (21-51—72).

It very well could be that the skilled, flashy Kane ends up the better player. Same for Toews. But for this season Backstrom looked more polished and composed. We're talking slight differences here, folks, but by my eye, and I think a few others, Backstrom looked just a little more fit'n'finished. The Caps also qualified for the playoffs, and the Hawks did not. Again, a slight tick in Backstrom's favor.

Look, I hate not giving it to Kane. But I hate even more the idea of not giving it to Backstrom. In case you're wondering, this is a similar sort of twisted logic that I'll implement when choosing a U.S. president in November (note: I'm voting all-Yank in that one).

Calder honorable mentions: Kane, Toews, Carey Price.

Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct)
Gentlemanly conduct? C'mon, man, it's hockey, where an elbow to the jaw is considered an ode to Miss Manners.

Truth is, the game is loaded with good, clean, fair guys, contrary to what some of the smashmouth replays on late-night TV might make you believe.

Brad Richards, the winner in 2004 and the runner-up in '06, is the winner again this year. He didn't have a great year in Tampa, which led to him getting dealt to Dallas at the February deadline. He picked up no fewer than five points in his Stars debut. For the year, he collected only 15 penalty minutes — impressive for a guy who likes to be in the ''dirty'' areas of the ice. In seven seasons, he has a career 133 PIMs (also known as a Bob Probert weekend).

Lady Byng honorable mentions: Martin St. Louis, Mike Modano, Pavel Datsyuk, Brian Rolston, Daniel Alfredsson, Brad Boyes.

Selke Award (top defensive forward)
Unfortunately, in this day and age, about nine guys on all 30 teams merit some consideration for this one. Interestingly, last year's top three in this category — Rod Brind'Amour, Sammy Pahlsson and Jay Pandolfo all had long-term injuries this season. Proof again that defense is dirty, dangerous work.

The winner here, and much deserved, is Boston's P.J. Axelsson, who is also the club's longest-serving member. Axelsson, 33, has a knack for shadowing the opposition's best wingers, and does it with a combination of effortless skating and great on-ice intelligence.

Brind'Amour likely would have won again, for a third straight time, but ripped up a knee, and in so doing ripped up the ’Canes' playoff chances.

Selke honorable mentions: John Madden, Brenden Morrow.

Jack Adams Award (top coach)
Claude Julien, fired in New Jersey last season with three games left on the schedule, cajoled and horsewhipped the Bruins into the playoffs. Two years ago, Mike Sullivan couldn't do that. Last year, Dave Lewis couldn't do that. Heck, if Julien is back as coach in Boston next season, that's a record in itself (same coach, back-to-back seasons!).

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Nothing too tricky in Julien's magic kit. He lays out a basic defensive system and insists that everyone adheres to it. Not only did he get the players to buy into the paint-by-number “D” program, he also got them not to quit when injuries sidelined key players — such as Patrice Bergeron (grade 3 concussion) and Manny Fernandez (knee surgery).

Not a good year for the last three Adams winners — Alain Vigneault (Vancouver), Lindy Ruff (Buffalo) and John Tortorella (Tampa Bay). All three were on vacation by the first week of April.

Jack Adams honorable mentions: Guy Carbonneau, Bruce Boudreau.

Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP)
The Red Wings will rub out the Canadiens in the Cup finals (they last played for the Cup in '66), and Nicklas Lidstrom will win the Smythe for the second time. Reserve your octopus now.

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