Just got a trade rumor from my boys over at
FireTheCannon.com .
Here is the scenerio in a nut shell.
“The Isles 2nd first round selection, 26th overall and their surplus second rounders are DEFINITELY going somewhere in a move up, and it will depend upon when they think that 2nd targeted draftee is about to go off the board, and they will act swiftly to jump in front of others. Snow has said as much.
Columbus will choose at slot 16 but are hoping to get an additional pick to move back in the first and are hoping that the Islanders will turn over the number 26 in the first round, and 37th overall in the second round for a ten slot bump up for the Isles. They may want to give 26th and 56th overall, the last of their three seconds.
Who knows? Maybe the Bluejackets will not want to drop back that far to reclaim a second…”
This draft is very deep. I know it is killing GM Scott Howson not to have a 2nd rounder in this draft. How the prospects line up is that there is a clear top 7 prospects of Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, Kane, Svensson-Paajarvi, Cowen and Schenn. After that from 8 to about 40 the prospects don't look all that much different and it will mostly be up to personal preference how the prospects are selected.
If Howson can pull off a trade that will move the team back from 16 to 26 and pick up a 2nd rounder at 37, he will do it in a New York minute. If the Islanders are only willing to give up their 56th overall, then I think Howson would say no thanks.
Now a scenario that I thought of that would be interesting is if the Blue Jackets give up their 16th overall selection to get all 3 2nd round selections the Islanders have at 31, 37 and 56. That would still give the Blue Jackets 2 selections in the top 40 plus a bonus one at 56. Would that be worth it to Howson to pull the trigger. Would Garth Snow be willing to give up his entire 2nd round to get the chance to select 3 first rounders?
Stay tuned as this thing is going to get hot and wild but most of these triggers won't be pulled until the draft.
Make sure you are at the draft party as this should be one of the best drafts for deals in a long time. You can reserve a seat with me and my fellow Twitter brethren at the NHLTweetup party. Just click
HERE to reserve your spot. There is going to be giveaways by Crimson Cup (great coffee!) and 97.1 The Fan plus Steve Mason, R.J. Umberger and Jared Boll will be there too.
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Goaltender Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets has won the Calder Memorial Trophy for 2008-2009, awarded "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League."
Mason received 121 of 132 first-places and 1,268 points, outdistancing Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan, who polled 829 points.
Mason’s career soared ahead of schedule when he won his first three NHL starts Nov. 5, 7 and 8 to seize the Blue Jackets’ net. Named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for both November and December, he posted a franchise-record three straight shutouts in late December during a four-game winning streak in which he stopped 94 of 95 shots. Mason finished strong, going 8-2-4 from Mar. 7-Apr.8 as Columbus captured the first playoff berth in franchise history. His 10 shutouts led the League and his 2.29 goals against average ranked second to Tim Thomas’ 2.10 for Boston.
2008-2009 Calder Trophy Voting
Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th)
1. Steve Mason, CBJ 1268 (121-6-2-2-0)
2. Bobby Ryan, ANA 829 (9-84-24-9-4)
3. Kris Versteeg, CHI 323 (1-8-26-35-22)
4. Pekka Rinne, NSH 319 (0-15-34-9-17)
5. Drew Doughty, L.A. 303 (0-14-22-26-17)
6. Blake Wheeler, BOS 157 (1-3-11-17-20)
7. Patrik Berglund, STL 128 (0-0-10-20-18)
8. T.J. Oshie, STL 30 (0-1-1-5-3)
9. Steven Stamkos, T.B. 22 (0-0-0-3-13)
10. Michael Frolik, FLA 12 (0-1-1-0-0)
11. Mikhail Grabovski, TOR 8 (0-0-0-2-2)
12. Zach Bogosian, ATL 7 (0-0-0-1-4)
13. Chris Butler, BUF 5 (0-0-1-0-0)
14. Matt Hunwick, BOS 4 (0-0-0-1-1)
15. Kyle Okposo, NYI 4 (0-0-0-0-4)
16. Jonathan Quick, L.A. 3 (0-0-0-1-0)
17. James Neal, DAL 2 (0-0-0-0-2)
Luke Schenn, TOR 2 (0-0-0-0-2)
19. Derick Brassard, CBJ 1 (0-0-0-0-1)
Claude Giroux, PHI 1 (0-0-0-0-1)
Calder Trophy Winners Since 1990
Year Winner Runner-up
2008 Patrick Kane, Chi. Nicklas Backstrom, Wsh
2007 Evgeni Malkin, Pit. Paul Stastny, Col.
2006 Alex Ovechkin, Wsh. Sidney Crosby, Pit.
2004 Andrew Raycroft, Bos. Michael Ryder, Mtl.
2003 Barret Jackman, St.L Henrik Zetterberg, Det.
2002 Dany Heatley, Atl. Ilya Kovalchuk, Atl.
2001 Evgeni Nabokov, S.J. Brad Richards, T.B.
2000 Scott Gomez, N.J. Brad Stuart, S.J.
1999 Chris Drury, Col. Marian Hossa, Ott.
Year Winner Runner-up
1998 Sergei Samsonov, Bos. Mattias Ohlund, Van.
1997 Bryan Berard, NYI Jarome Iginla, Cgy.
1996 Daniel Alfredsson, Ott. Eric Daze, Chi.
1995 Peter Forsberg, Que. Jim Carey, Wsh.
1994 Martin Brodeur, N.J. Jason Arnott, Edm.
1993 Teemu Selanne, Wpg. Joe Juneau, Bos.
1992 Pavel Bure, Van. Nicklas Lidstrom, Det.
1991 Ed Belfour, Chi. Sergei Fedorov, Det.
1990 Sergei Makarov, Cgy. Mike Modano, Min.
Nash Wins the Foundation Award (I Think)
In one of the worst announced awards I have ever seen, Rick Nash was awarded the Foundation Players Award. It was an embarrassing moment on a show that was pretty embarrassing from start to finish. To be honest, I have seen longer and better announcements to let people know that their parking was going to be validated. O.K., I'm done.
The award is presented annually to a player "in recognition of his commitment and service to charities in his community." The other finalists for the award included Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Kovalev and Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown. In recognition of this honor, the NHL Foundation will present $25,000 to the charitable organizations of Nash's choice.
"Being a professional hockey player is a privilege and I am extremely fortunate, as it has afforded me many opportunities to give back. I am honored to be this year's recipient of the NHL Foundation Player Award and am grateful that this honor will directly benefit the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, the John H. McConnell Scholarship Fund, Tim Hortons Children's Foundation and the Pelotonia Tour," said Nash.
In addition to the establishment of the #61 Club and the Columbus Dispatch-sponsored #61 Club Good Health Challenge created to reward kids for making smart and healthy choices, Nash's numerous contributions in the central Ohio region have supported a student-athlete scholarship endowment to The Ohio State University Athletics Department; the John H. McConnell Scholarship Fund; Columbus' 2009 Quebec Pee Wee team; and Santa's Silent Helpers.
Additionally, he serves as the spokesperson for several Blue Jackets charitable initiatives including The Columbus Dispatch Newspapers in Education program, the Jackets For Jackets coat collection, and the Time Warner Cable Adult Literacy Campaign.
In its 11th year, the NHL Foundation Player Award recognizes an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community. Past recipients honored for their charitable work were: Trevor Linden and Vincent Lecavalier (2008), Joe Sakic (2007), Marty Turco (2006), Jarome Iginla (2004), Darren McCarty (2003), Ron Francis (2002), Olaf Kolzig (2001), Adam Graves (2000), Rob Ray (1999), and Kelly Chase (1998).
Mason comes in 2nd in the Vezina voting
Steve Mason didn't win the Vezina but did come in a respectable 2nd place, especially when you think that he was only a rookie. It was close though for 2nd between Mason, Niklas Backstrom and Roberto Luongo.
2008-2009 Vezina Trophy Voting
Pts. 1st-2nd-3rd
1. Tim Thomas, BOS 127 (22-5-2)
2. Steve Mason, CBJ 33 (3-4-6)
3. Niklas Backstrom, MIN 31 (1-8-2)
4. Roberto Luongo, VAN 30 (2-5-5)
5. Evgeni Nabokov, S.J. 20 (1-4-3)
6. Henrik Lundqvist, NYR 14 (1-1-6)
7. Cam Ward, CAR 11 (0-2-5)
8. Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY 3 (0-1-0)
9. Tomas Vokoun, FLA 1 (0-0-1)
Vezina Trophy Winners Since 1981-82
Year Winner Runner-up
2008 Martin Brodeur, N.J. Evgeni Nabokov, S.J.
2007 Martin Brodeur, N.J. Roberto Luongo, Van.
2006 Miikka Kiprusoff, Cgy. Martin Brodeur, N.J
2004 Martin Brodeur, N.J. Miikka Kiprusoff, Cgy.
2003 Martin Brodeur, N.J. Marty Turco, Dal.
2002 Jose Theodore, Mtl. Patrick Roy, Col.
2001 Dominik Hasek, Buf. Roman Cechmanek, Phi.
2000 Olaf Kolzig, Wsh. Roman Turek, St. L.
1999 Dominik Hasek, Buf. Curtis Joseph, Tor.
1998 Dominik Hasek, Buf. Martin Brodeur, N.J
1997 Dominik Hasek, Buf. Martin Brodeur, N.J
1996 Jim Carey, Wsh. Chris Osgood, Det.
1995 Dominik Hasek, Buf. Ed Belfour, Chi.
Year Winner Runner-up
1994 Dominik Hasek, Buf. J. Vanbiesbrouck, Fla.
1993 Ed Belfour, Chi. Tom Barrasso, Pit.
1992 Patrick Roy, Mtl. Kirk McLean, Van.
1991 Ed Belfour, Chi. Patrick Roy, Mtl.
1990 Patrick Roy, Mtl. Daren Puppa, Buf.
1989 Patrick Roy, Mtl. Mike Vernon, Cgy.
1988 Grant Fuhr, Edm. Tom Barrasso, Buf.
1987 Ron Hextall, Phi. Mike Liut, Hfd.
1986 John Vanbiesbrouck, NYR Bob Froese, Phi.
1985 Pelle Lindbergh, Phi. Tom Barrasso, Buf.
1984 Tom Barrasso, Buf. Rejean Lemelin, Cgy.
1983 Pete Peeters, Bos. Roland Melanson, NYI
1982 Bill Smith, NYI Grant Fuhr, Edm.
Hitchcock Comes in 4th for the Jack Adams
Ken Hitchcock did get somewhat noticed for the job he did this year with a team that had never made the playoffs. With a huge overall of players, he was able to gel the team together and make the playoffs in the organizations first time to the postseason. Hitchcock ended up 4th and received 5 first place votes.
2008-2009 Jack Adams Award Voting
Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd)
1. Claude Julien, BOS 224 (35-14-7)
2. Andy Murray, STL 135 (15-17-9)
3. Todd McLellan, S.J. 98 (9-14-11)
4. Ken Hitchcock, CBJ 69 (5-9-17)
5. Brent Sutter, N.J. 36 (3-6-3)
6. Mike Babcock, DET 20 (3-1-2)
7. Joel Quenneville, CHI 15 (1-2-4)
8. Paul Maurice, CAR 11 (0-3-2)
9. Alain Vigneault, VAN 10 (0-1-7)
10. Barry Trotz, NSH 8 (0-2-2)
11. Bruce Boudreau, WSH 6 (0-1-3)
12. Peter DeBoer, FLA 3 (0-1-0)
13. Dan Bylsma, PIT 2 (0-0-2)
Ron Wilson, TOR 2 (0-0-2)
Jack Adams Award Winners Since 1990
Year Winner Runner-up
2008 Bruce Boudreau, Wsh. Guy Carbonneau, Mtl.
2007 Alain Vigneault, Van. Lindy Ruff, Buf.
2006 Lindy Ruff, Buf. Peter Laviolette, Car.
2004 John Tortorella, T.B. Ron Wilson, S.J.
2003 Jacques Lemaire, Min. John Tortorella, T.B.
2002 Bob Francis, Phx. Brian Sutter, Chi.
2001 Bill Barber, Phi. Scotty Bowman, Det.
2000 Joel Quenneville, St.L Alain Vigneault, Mtl.
1999 Jacques Martin, Ott. Pat Quinn, Tor.
Year Winner Runner-up
1998 Pat Burns, Bos. Larry Robinson, L.A
1997 Ted Nolan, Buf. Ken Hitchcock, Dal.
1996 Scott Bowman, Det. Doug MacLean, Fla.
1995 Marc Crawford, Que. Scott Bowman, Det.
1994 Jacques Lemaire, N.J. Kevin Constantine, S.J.
1993 Pat Burns, Tor. Brian Sutter, Bos.
1992 Pat Quinn, Van. Roger Neilson, NYR
1991 Brian Sutter, St.L Tom Webster, L.A.
1990 Bob Murdoch, Wpg. Mike Milbury, Bos.
Mason Comes In 4th For The Hart Trophy
In what might come to a shock that didn't see the Blue Jackets on a regular basis, Steve Mason came in 4th for the Hart Trophy ahead of superstars like Zach Parise, Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton and Vezina winner Tim Thomas. Depending on how you view the "MVP," you will be hard pressed to think of another player that was more valuable to a team than Mason. It is hard to argue with the selection of Alex Ovechkin as a lot of nights, he would go and out score other teams for the Caps to win. Rick Nash ended up with 13 votes also.
2008-2009 Hart Trophy Voting
Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th)
1. Alex Ovechkin, WSH 1264 (115-14-2-2-0)
2. Evgeni Malkin, PIT 787 (12-71-27-9-8)
3. Pavel Datsyuk, DET 404 (4-14-38-19-19)
4. Steve Mason, CBJ 266 (0-13-21-18-16)
5. Zach Parise, N.J. 257 (0-5-20-31-29)
6. Sidney Crosby, PIT 103 (0-3-5-13-18)
7. Tim Thomas, BOS 100 (0-3-9-7-13)
8. Zdeno Chara, BOS 79 (2-3-2-8-4)
9. Joe Thornton, S.J. 27 (0-2-1-2-2)
10. Roberto Luongo, VAN 19 (0-2-0-1-2)
11. Jeff Carter, PHI 19 (0-1-0-2-6)
12. Jarome Iginla, CGY 19 (0-0-2-2-3)
13. Mike Green, WSH 13 (0-0-2-1-0)
14. Rick Nash, CBJ 13 (0-0-1-2-2)
Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th)
15. Ryan Getzlaf, ANA 11 (0-0-1-2-0)
16. Evgeni Nabokov, S.J. 8 (0-0-1-1-0)
17. Nicklas Lidstrom, DET 7 (0-1-0-0-0)
18. Patrick Marleau, S.J. 7 (0-0-0-2-1)
Cam Ward, CAR 7 (0-0-0-2-1)
20. Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY 6 (0-0-0-2-0)
21. Henrik Zetterberg, DET 6 (0-0-0-1-3)
22. Chris Mason, STL 4 (0-0-0-1-1)
Eric Staal, CAR 4 (0-0-0-1-1)
24. Dan Boyle, S.J. 3 (0-0-0-1-0)
Marian Hossa, DET 3 (0-0-0-1-0)
26. Mike Richards, PHI 1 (0-0-0-0-1)
Marc Savard, BOS 1 (0-0-0-0-1)
Hart Trophy Winners Since 1990
Year Winner Runner-up
2008 Alex Ovechkin, Wsh. Evgeni Malkin, Pit.
2007 Sidney Crosby, Pit. Roberto Luongo, Van.
2006 Joe Thornton, S.J. Jaromir Jagr, NYR
2004 Martin St. Louis, T.B. Jarome Iginla, Cgy.
2003 Peter Forsberg, Col. Markus Naslund, Van.
2002 Jose Theodore, Mtl. Jarome Iginla, Cgy.
2001 Joe Sakic, Col. Mario Lemieux, Pit.
2000 Chris Pronger, St.L Jaromir Jagr, Pit.
1999 Jaromir Jagr, Pit. Alexei Yashin, Ott.
Year Winner Runner-up
1998 Dominik Hasek, Buf. Jaromir Jagr, Pit.
1997 Dominik Hasek, Buf. Paul Kariya, Ana.
1996 Mario Lemieux, Pit. Mark Messier, NYR
1995 Eric Lindros, Phi. Jaromir Jagr, Pit.
1994 Sergei Fedorov, Det. Dominik Hasek, Buf.
1993 Mario Lemieux, Pit. Doug Gilmour, Tor.
1992 Mark Messier, NYR Patrick Roy, Mtl.
1991 Brett Hull, St.L Wayne Gretzky, L.A.
1990 Mark Messier, Edm. Ray Bourque, Bos.
Mason is a 2nd Team All-Star and on the All Rookie teams
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason, the first rookie goaltender to earn a post-season All-Star berth since Chicago's Ed Belfour was named to the First Team in 1990-91, was named to the 2nd team on the All Star balloting.
Rick Nash came in 4th for left wingers in the All Star voting and he also came in 8th for right wingers. Guess they should decide which side he plays on but I guess that's O.K. as Hitchcock even had him play center for about 3 shifts. Sometimes this season when the CBJ was so short on goaltending, I was wondering if they were getting him sized up for the pads.
Western Conference players took five of six places on the 2008-09 NHL All-Rookie Team, the League announced today. Steve Mason was joined by an All-West forward line featuring St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund, Anaheim Ducks right wing Bobby Ryan and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Kris Versteeg. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty rounded out the Western Conference dominance on the All-Rookie Team. The lone selection from the Eastern Conference is Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn. Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season.
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Eric Smith
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