Ovechkin Takes NHLPA MVP Honors

Alex Ovechkin may have been snubbed for the Hart as league's most valuable player, but he took home the NHLPA Ted Lindsay award for the third consecutive year. While his piers see Ovi as the league's MVP, Henrik Sedin takes the honors.

Mike Green and Ovechkin were both named to NHL first All-Star team. Jose Theodore would take the Bill Masterton award given to the player that best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

While Sedin snatched the Hart with his league best 83 assists, it is hard to imagine any player coming back from two suspensions and still led his team to a franchise first President's Trophy as League's best in the regular season.

For many fans, the individual awards may seem like old hat. Rather it is the lack of playoff success (thus far) that makes this year's awards somewhat insignificant. It is great that the Caps have players that are recognized for their efforts, but fans are looking for more team accolades now the Washington Capitals are serious Cup contenders.

Eyes are focused on George McPhee's actions this off season and from what can be deduced is that some familiar faces will not return. Theodore maybe looking for work this summer as no deal or talks have come his way. Instead, GMGM will be going with the kids Semyon Varlamov and Micheal Neuvirth. Theo confirmed as much at the awards show according to Tarik's blog:

"We had a good talk," Theodore said. "I enjoyed my time in Washington. Two great years. Winning percentage, stats-wise, it was fun to play for the Caps. But things in the new NHL, they are, they're going to go with the young kids [Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth] and I respect that."

"I have nothing but good words to say about this city, especially the fans and the organization," he added. "With the way I finished last year, I'm just looking forward to next season."

Shaone Morrisonn is another player that may not be in Caps camp this fall as is Brendan Morrison. McPhee has not talked to either Mo or B.Mo about returning as of yet and may let both go to make room to bring in talent in Hershey.

Salary cap-wise the league will give teams a bump to $59.4 million. A raise from $56.8 million.

Awards For The NHL Awards Show

Alex Ovechkin took the Hart Trophy again, he repeats as the league's most valuable player. He snubbed his countrymen Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin to win the award once again. Ovi also won the Lester B. Pearson Award for MVP decided on by the players and the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in the '08 - '09 season.

Mike Green sat second fiddle (or third) to Zdeno Chara who took home the Norris Trophy for best defenseman.

You know all the winners (if you don't, you can find them all on NHL.com). Now here are the awards I will be giving out for the awards show.

The Tear Jerker award: Tim Thomas when he was awarded the Vezina Trophy. "I have been more worried about getting my name on a roster than I have been about winning the Vezina." Aww, doesn't it break your heart.

The Classiest award: Jean Beliveau and his acceptance speech for the '09 lifetime achievement award. He attributed all of his successes in life to his family especially his wife. Classy.

The Funniest Moment award: Tim Thomas after he and his teammate Manny Fernadez won the William M. Jennings Trophy. Thomas spoke first thanking the usual people as well as his wife. Then he turned to Fernadez and said, "Do you want me to thank your wife Manny?" It got a good laugh and Thomas turned bright red. Proving goaltenders share everything (no, not really).

The "I Look Exactly Like the Presenter" award: Jerome Iginla as he accepted the Bridgestone Messier Leadership Award. Both Mark Messier and Iginla were sporting the shaved head look. Check out those shiny domes.

The Awkward Moment Next to a Beautiful Girl award: Presenter Kirk Muller when he as presenting the award for the Selke (best two way forward). Tricia Helfer joined him and spoke first. Muller was a wreck next to the super model. He stumbled on his words and only Helfer's good looks and smooth talk saved the day. Hey, I would have been stumbling over my words too with this beautiful girl next to me.

The Best Attempt At English But Fell Short award: Evgeni Malkin with Pavel Datsyuk as runner up. Malkin spoke broken English when he accepted his Art Ross Trophy. "I would like to thank the organization and stuff," Malkin sputtered. "Of course I want to thank my parents, they support me on my lap(? - hey that is what I heard). Thank you very much." Ovi chimed in after his speech, "Well Geno, your English is better than Pavel Datsyuk English." A Russian riot ensued there after (no, not really).

The Random Thank You Speech award: Alex Ovechkin for thanking his equipment manager when he accepted the Rocket Richard Trophy. Brock Myles, the Capitals' equipment manager was the source of Ovi's praise. "We forget to say thanks to our guys that work in the team like trainers. Just normal guys who help us," Ovi said. "So I want to give this award to the Capitals organization, Washington fans and our trainers." Sweet.

The Snub Handshakes and Award Shows award: Sidney Crosby, whose name and picture (besides the opening) were never seen. Was he even there?

The "I Wore What I Wore to Prom" award: Mike Green in a simple tux with bow tie. Just about everyone else showed up in a suit. I think the NHL should have made this a black tie event. Green looked sweet.

The Inspirational Moment of the Night award: Vladimir Kostantinov who walked out on stage with a walker. Amazing moment and why no one gave that man a standing ovation, I will never know. He was a presenter and walked out with good friend Igor Larionov to present the Pearson award. Although Konstantinov looked like a dejected old grouchy man (which kind of made him look endearing), it was amazing to see him on his own two feet as the last time I saw him he was in a wheel chair.

The "What the Heck Do We Do Now" award: Everyone after the show ended. Ovechkin just took the Hart Trophy backstage and the Micheal Buble concluded the show, the entire crowd just sat and looked around wondering what the in the world was going on. I am sure they would have sat there all night if producers hadn't got everyone out of the theater. I mean you are in Vegas people, look somewhat excited to be there.

Congratulations to all the real winners of the real awards. That officially concludes the '08 -'09 season. Ovechkin ended the night on a positive note for Caps fans, "Next year, I hope Stanley Cup will be ours."

Photos by Getty Images, Harry How/Ethan Miller/Bruce Bennett

Ovechkin Cleans Up, Boudreau Wins Too

Alex Ovechkin just made history, again. The dynamic Capitals winger took home the clean sweep, winner of the Hart Trophy for leagues MVP, the Lester B. Pearson Trophy for best player as voted on by the players, the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals and the Art Ross for most points. Ovechkin was the first player to take home all four.

Bruce Boudreau also got a shiny new trophy taking home the Jack Adams Trophy for leagues top coach. Boudreau took the team from worst to first and propelled the Caps into the playoffs with a team that had been riddled with injuries.

Nick Backstrom did not take the top rookie honors, that went to Patrick Kane who beat both Backstrom and his teammate Jonathan Toews out for the Calder. While Backstrom was prevented the historic sweep for the franchise, he was named to the NHL's All Rookie team.

All of Ovechkin's awards will be on display today at the Kettler Iceplex from noon to one Friday, June 13th. This was actually written in the press release:

"Due to travel and space constraints, the Jack Adams Award, which was won by head coach Bruce Boudreau, will not be on display."

Wow, so much hardware they couldn't get it all back home!

Malkin And Iginla Become Footnotes

That's right, I am calling it. Alex Ovechkin will win the Hart. Not because he is the NHL's top scorer with most goals and points. Not because he was an instrument in the biggest turnaround for any team ever going from dead last in the Division at the halfway point and coming back and winning their division and a playoff berth. Not because he would be only the second Russian to have the award on his resume that grows every time he takes the ice. It's because he is so smooth with the ladies (hey, he met a girl on the internet and she was actually who she said she was).

While it would have been nice to see them in Round 2, this is certainly a nice prize to reflect on a crazy season that had Ovechkin the composer of a hell of a comeback. Only Jerome Iginla could come close as he certianly helped carry his team into the playoffs. But he didn't have to do it from the basement of the conference.

Other News and Notes:

• Ovie has also been cleared to play for team Russia in the World Championships having solved his insurance woes. The Russian Federation had to pay upwards of $800,000 to insure the $174 million contract it had been reported. Russia won their exhibition game against Canada 4-1 without the services of Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov or Alex Semin.
• Don't forget about other Caps that are playing: Nick Backstrom for team Sweden, Mike Green will suit up for team Canada, Tomas Fleischmann for the Czech Republic, Sami Lepisto for team Finland and Cristobal Huet for team France.
  
• Detroit, Pittsburgh and Dallas all have a commanding lead in their series 3-0. The second round is turning out to be a dud for Colorado, New York Rangers and San Jose. A big turnaround from a first round that had four game sevens. We could even be looking at a battle for Pennsylvania in the Eastern Conference Finals. Who are you going to cheer for now?
• The NHL has put together a group to reexamine the size of goaltenter's pads. Included in the group are Martin Broduer (Mr. I-hate-tinted-Visors), Rick DePietro (bad hip and all), Ryan Miller ("yo momma" champion), Dany Heatley (who would like to score more goals) and Mike Cammalleri (who would like to win a game). One thing I think the should do away with are the big pants. I have seen slimmer diapers on a baby. Plus, they have these square fronts on the thighs making the pants look as if you have bricks in your pockets. Round those suckers out.