Loading ...Another year has come and gone and the NHL has given out their awards for some of the best performances during the 2011-12 season. We’re here to honor some of the not-so-great achievements of the past season, as well as some lighthearted moments.
First we’ll start with some GM awards. The aptly named Trigger Happy Award goes to the GM who made the most trades throughout the season. With 16 trades, Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon takes home the award for the second year in a row. Tallon picked up players such as Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky and Kris Versteeg for this season. On the flip side, the You Suck Award for league’s worst GM goes to Columbus’ Scott Howson for the Rick Nash debacle and the Jeff Carter trades, building a team who finished in dead last.
Next are the statistical awards. The Broad Street Bully Award goes to Blue Jacket Derek Dorsett, who amassed 235 penalty minutes in a close race, beating Philadelphia’s Zac Rinaldo by three. The Greg Millen Trophy for most team goals allowed goes to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who yielded 278 goals, 19 more than the second worst team in Toronto. And finally, the Red Light Award for worst goalie of the year (minimum of 20 games) goes to Tampa’s Dwayne Roloson who had the worst GAA (3.66) and worst save percentage (88.6%) to go along with a mediocre 13-16-3 record.
This season’s Bettman Award for Villain of the Year was again an easy choice, going to Phoenix’s Raffi Torres. Torres was suspended for 25 games for hospitalizing Marian Hossa during a playoff game. Pending an appeal, Torres’ suspension will carry over into next season.
The second annual Biznasty Trophy for best twitter account was voted on by you, the fans. This year saw thirteen different players receive votes. In addition, the trophy’s namesake was unseated and a new champion crowned. This year’s winner has 47,000 followers and is Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog (@GabeLandeskog92). The voting was very close; thanks to all who voted.
This year introduces the Wayne Gretzky trophy for Playmaker of the Year. This is a creation of Alicia, and her award winner was Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin. The John Druce Award for good playoff season by a random player goes to the Kings’ Dwight King and his five playoff goals.
2012′s Charlestown Chiefs Award for nastiest game of the year goes to the Penguins for the second year in a row, for their April 1st game with the Flyers. The rivals combined for 50 PIMs in the final minute, and having coaches Peter Laviolette and Tony Granato ejected. The game was also famous for Flyers forward Scott Hartnell mocking a Penguins fan dressed as Hulk Hogan.
This season’s Injury Ninja Award, for most man games missed, goes to the Montreal Canadiens, who lost 440 games due to injury. The league’s Pepto Bismol Minus/Minus Award (named such because the coach needs it when the award winner hits the ice) goes to the Islanders’ Milan Jurcina. Jurcina “lead” the league with a -34 this season. The player who collected more teeth than goals, also known as the Wolf Stansson Trophy, goes to Eric Boulton of New Jersey. Boulton had 115 PIMs while failing to find the net in 51 games.
This year’s Cheech & Chong Whatcha Smokin’ Award for most head scratching trade will be given to the Sharks for trading Jamie McGinn and two prospects to Colorado for T.J. Galiardi, Daniel Winnik and a 7th rounder. All three NHLers are free agents but Winnik could leave San Jose as a UFA. During the time spent with their new teams, McGinn outscored both players combined (8 goals, 13 points in 17 games). The Sharks new duo had 4 goals, 6 points in 35 combined games. McGinn will likely be re-signed by the Avs and figures to play a big role in their rebuild.
Last, and certainly least, we come to the Alexandre Daigle Trophy for Least Valuable Player. With 11 goals, 57 points and missing the playoffs, this year’s trophy goes to Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf had 19 goals and 76 points in 15 less games last season while the Ducks made the playoffs.
This concludes the 2012 Crimespree Hockey awards ceremony. Hope you enjoyed this year’s edition!