NHL Mid Season Awards

Well its at that time where we're over the half way point of the NHL Season and All-star weekend I'm going to like two out of three things the Draft tomorrow and the Skills competition I've always liked the Skills competition then the actual game ever but back in the late 90's was pretty good where the all-star game was pretty sweet favorite moments, Ray Bourque winning MVP in Boston in 96, Owen Nolan's point on Dominik Hasek in 97, Al MacInnis dominating the Hardest Shot Competition and seeing just a little bit of care in the All-star game a little bit.

Who will win after last night's picks? Team Staal or Team Lidstrom? I hope team Staal because if you didn't know I'm a big Eric Staal Fan and always will be.

Onto the Awards, I'm only doing ones that really stick out.

Calder Trophy

Nominees

G- Sergei Bobrovsky, Philadelphia Flyers

Stats, 21-6-3, 920 Save %, 2.42 GAA

This guy has been lights out for Philadelphia earned the starting job on a Philly team that looks better then last year I just hopes he doesn't turn the "Net Detective 3" number 2 is Steve Mason and looks to keep that name, somewhere Jonathan Bernier is saying Karma is a bitch Steve. But Sergei nicely done.

C- Jeff Skinner , Carolina Hurricanes

Stats, 18 Goals, 22 Assists, Drafted 7th Overall in 2010 Draft and has been the second best player on the team the former Kitchener Ranger has been something else this year seen him a couple of games is looking like his captain in a way.

C- Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

Stats, 22 Goals, 11 Assists, Stats a bit lower then Skinner's but they'd probably be a lot higher if he wasn't hurt for a little bit and playing with the likes of Heatley, Thornton and Marleau above him but he gets good playing time and is developing quite, Dear Toronto was it worth it for Owen Nolan?? HA suckers.

Winner: Bobrovsky

HM's Cam Fowler ANA, P.K Subban MTL and Kevin Shattenkirk COL.


Norris Trophy

Nickas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings

Stats, 11 Goals, 32 Assists, Wow... thats all I can say about him he gets even better with age and he's 40 now will he be a Chris Chelios? I doubt it but at this rate it seems he could play till 43 maybe, UFA at the end of the year will he be cheap and stay in Detroit? Go somewhere else? or Retire and ride off into the sunset and wait for his call to the HOF? What it is it's been awesome this year Nik.

Shea Weber, Nashville Predators

Stats, 9 Goals, 21 Assists, He has been lights out for a long time and I haven't given him enough due, This year he does kind of a long shot but he has done everything in Nashville with an underrated team with over rated results he's a winner too bad he won't win a cup in Nashville he might have to be traded or waive a no trade if he wants to be a contender but maybe Barry Trotz can get it done this year.

Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks

Stats, 2 Goals, 25 Assists, I know what your gonna say WTF De Paoli??? Well I am a fan but If you look at Keith's Stats and the way he started the season his +/- was way down but has come up but the Hawks will heat up if they can get their goaltending together they might get a better seed in the playoffs Maybe Corey Crawford is a short term or long term answer, either way when his team doesn't help Keith gets the blunt end of the problems cause he's on the ice so much but Keith is for real.

Winner: Lidstrom

HM's Dustin Byfuglien ATL, After a nice sit down with the Voice of the Battlefords Northstars Dan O'Conner he has shown me the light and now an HM is Keith Yandle of PHX another Keith related defenceman, Kris Letang PIT

Vezina Trophy

Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

Stats, 24-5-6, 7 SO's 1.81 GAA, .945 Save Percentage

He's back..... and better then ever as the 2009 winner he's heading to the All-star game again and is a fighter when it comes to keeping his job this was Tuukka Rask's job at the start of the year and Timmy T is leading the B's back to the promised land maybe further this time.

Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks

Stats, 25-16-3, 2.50 GAA, .926 Save Percentage

This guy stops everything ever since the Olympics he may be the new Miikka Kiprusoff for getting peppered and winning games he is the Ducks' MVP and has them right where they need to be... In a playoff spot he never gives up on a play, Makes 40 saves a game no big deal! Saw his glasses yesterday wow ugly.

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

Stats, 21-16-3, 2.29 GAA, .924 Save %

King Henrik is back after a so so season even though he still had thirty wins, he has been well... Henrik Lundqvist he is one goalie I wish i always draft in fantasy leagues he is one of the best first years in the league was a nominee hopefully he gets one and I'd kill to have one of his suits wow Barney Stinson would be proud.

Winner: Hiller

HM's Carey Price MTL, Marc Andre Fleury PIT and Cam Ward CAR


Hart Trophy

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Stats, 32 Goals, 34 Assists, He is the best player in the NHL and being out for 9 games and missing the all-star game I think that I have to say he'd be close to 80 points of not for two concussions in retrospect form Dave Steckel and Viktor Hedman. Sid had jumped up in my respect he scored the golden goal, it was weak but he scored it and I think the offseason where he was done after being upset by the Habs just gave him time to reload and relax a bit and he's showed it.

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Stats, 38 Goals, 29 Assists

How good is this kid what a one timer and Steve Yzerman has been an influence and the Lightning seem to be back to the way things were Stamkos is just that it's only year 3 of his career can you imagine him a couple more years some records could be broke if he has the right guys around him and the Tampa power play is nothing without him.

Brad Richards, Dallas Stars

Richards has brought himself into the NHL's elite after all he did win the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2004 (dammit) but look at what he's done in Dallas if Kari Lehtonen can stay hot and win a few games for Dallas in the playoffs the Stars could turn heads and Richards is a main reason why and he should get recognized for his efforts.

Winner: Too close to tell but Sidney Crosby if he stays healthy and up pace in points obviously or I'd love to see Richards get the surprise vote

HM's I know someone will say why he wasn't a nominee of mine, Ryan Kesler VAN, Henrik Sedin, VAN, Tim Thomas BOS

Well thats that if you disagree with these at all I want to hear about it, leave a message here, email gino.depaoli@cjvr.com or tweet me @gdp74

Melfort plays Battleford at home tonight webcast should be a good one I'll have a report tomorrow from the game.

GDP