The first annual
JJ Awards, looking back on the good and bad of the 2008-09 Tampa Bay Lightning season, are scheduled to be announced on Sunday, April 12th.
Always aiming to please, I’ve decided to rely on reader input to determine the finalists for each of the 20 categories I’ve selected and you can begin submitting your votes
RIGHT NOW. Voting is
not restricted to those that identify themselves as Lightning fans, as fans of all NHL clubs are welcome to take part. The polling will end exactly one week from now, on Wednesday, April 8th, when the three finalists for each category will be made public. Four days later, two sets of winners will be announced per category, one reflecting popular fan vote and the other – the actual
JJ Award itself – as selected by yours truly from the elected finalists. Votes may be submitted via
comments, email @
[email protected] or
my Facebook page.
The categories are listed below, with a brief explanation for each. Each category is intended to reflect the performance of the Lightning and its players during the 2008-09 season
only. Please vote accordingly.
Team MVP: By
true definition, the player deemed most valuable to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Best Forward: Outstanding forward.
Best Defenseman: Outstanding defenseman.
Best Defensive Forward: The Tampa Bay Lightning forward who has demonstrated the most skill in the defensive component of the game.
Rookie of the Year: Outstanding rookie.
Best Goaltender: Outstanding goaltender.
Biggest Disappointment: The player whose achievements fell well short of expectations.
Biggest Surprise: The player whose achievements far exceeded expectations.
Best Game: The best single-game performance by the team as a whole.
Worst Game: The worst single-game performance by the team as a whole.
Best Free Agent Signing: The player signed as a free agent on or after July 1st, 2008 deemed to have had the biggest positive impact on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Worst Free Agent Signing: The player signed as a free agent on or after July 1st, 2008 deemed to have had the least positive impact on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Best Transaction: The transaction, via trade or waiver claim (
NOT free agent signing) made since July 1st, 2008, deemed to have had the biggest positive impact on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Worst Transaction: The transaction, via trade or waiver claim (
NOT free agent signing) made since July 1st, 2008, deemed to have had the least positive impact on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Most Improved Player: The player deemed to have made the biggest on-ice improvement since the beginning of the season.
Most Promising Norfolk Admiral: The player, currently listed on
the active Norfolk Admirals roster, considered most likely to have a positive impact on the 2009-10 Tampa Bay Lightning.
Biggest Strength: In terms of on-ice fortitude, the most promising component of the current Tampa Bay Lightning roster.
Biggest Weakness: In terms of on-ice fortitude, the component that needs improvement more than any other on the current Tampa Bay Lightning roster.
Ideal Addition: After consulting
this list of upcoming unrestricted free agents, the
ONE player this team should add if given the opportunity to do so.
Better Off Elsewhere: Of the current players on the Tampa Bay Lightning roster, the
ONE player who should be dealt, bought out or not re-signed for next season.
Again, your votes can be submitted via
comments, email @
[email protected] or
my Facebook page, whatever is most convenient for you. I’ll begin tabulating votes immediately.
Thanks for participating and stay tuned for the finalists to be announced in one week’s time.
JJ
[email protected]
JJ on Facebook
JJ on Twitter
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