The NHL announced the home-openers for its 31 franchises yesterday. Our Florida Panthers will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 11 in the first home game of 2018-19 campaign. The Cats will open the season on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 6. They will probably play one more on the road before facing the Blue Jackets at the BB&T Center. The season will start with four games on October 3.
Aleksander Barkov (Lady Byng Trophy) and Roberto Luongo (Bill Masterton Trophy) didn’t bring back any hardware at the NHL’s Award Show in Las Vegas last night.
Here’s a list of all the winners:
Hart Trophy
Awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team: Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils
Jack Adams Award
Awarded to the NHL coach judged to have contributed the most to his team’s success: Gerard Gallant, Vegas Golden Knights
Vezina Trophy
Awarded to the goalkeeper judged to be the best at his position: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Selke Trophy
Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
Bill Masterton Trophy
Awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey: Brian Boyle, New Jersey Devils
Lady Byng Trophy
Awarded to the player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability: William Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights
Mark Messier Leadership Award
Given to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey: Deryk Engelland, Vegas Golden Knights
Calder Trophy
Awarded to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition: Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders
Norris Trophy
Awarded to the defenseman that demonstrated the greatest all-around ability in the position: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
King Clancy Trophy
Awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community: Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
William Jennings Trophy
Goaltender(s) who played 25 games or more for the team with the fewest goals against: Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Ted Lindsay Award
Most valuable player, as voted on by the NHLPA: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Art Ross Trophy
Given to the player who leads the league in points: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy
Given to the player who leads the league in goals: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Litter Box Nuggets (Five for reading)
- New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall is just the second player in the Hart Memorial Trophy’s 94-year history to be traded and then take home the award. (TSN)
- The salary cap for next season is expected by around $80 million, an increase of about $5 million from 2017-18. (NHL)
- While things appeared to dumpster fire-like in Ottawa from the outside, Garry Bettman says don’t believe the hype. (ESPN)
- The Vegas Golden Knights capped off its extremely successful inaugural season with a huge night at the awards show. (Knights on Ice)
- Seattle remains on track to become the NHL’s 32nd club. When this happens depends mostly on the building is ready, mostly. (NHL)/