Bucci's picks for NHL awards

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Buccigross's latest column

Highlights:

Jack Adams Award (coach of the year)

• Who votes: NHL Broadcasters' Association; Last season's winner: Alain Vigneault (Vancouver)

Bucci's winner: Mike Babcock, Detroit Red Wings. Just about every coach whose team has made the playoffs would be a good pick. If the Capitals make it, Bruce Boudreau would be an inspirational and fine pick. But Babcock is a top-tier coach who is an excellent model for others to follow. If I had a vote, I would go in that direction.

Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenseman)

• Who votes: Professional Hockey Writers Association; Last season's winner: Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit)

Bucci's winner: Nicklas Lidstrom. That makes six Norris trophies in seven seasons for Lidstrom. He is the game's biggest presence on defense. To appreciate him most is to watch him in person. His brain is always 100 percent turned on. He must be exhausted after each game from all the mental fuel he uses during the course of a game.

He doesn't pick for all the awards, but does pick for Vezina, Calder, and Hart.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Personally, this is my favorite part:

How do you feel about this theory?

The Detroit Red Wings are the only team in their division that will make the playoffs. With the unbalanced schedule, does that make their point total a little inflated as opposed to teams from the Pacific and Northwest, which are battling a group of playoff teams within their own divisions?

I mean, let's face it, the Central is a terrible division.

Jim Handzel

Sunnyvale

The Red Wings actually have been average against Central Division teams this season (13-11-2). The Wings DOMINATED the Northwest this season (15-2-3) and went 15-5-0 against the Pacific.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Personally, this is my favorite part:

The Red Wings actually have been average against Central Division teams this season (13-11-2). The Wings DOMINATED the Northwest this season (15-2-3) and went 15-5-0 against the Pacific.

QFT. The Central has just given us fits this year (as in some year's past as well). Wasn't it only recently that we clawed our way over .500 in the Central?

[seeinred 1,488]

Doesn't the Jack Adams trophy usually go to the coach of a team that was awful the year before and decent this year? Kind of like how the Hart doesn't actually go to the best player on the best team, it goes to the best player on a not-so-good-to-average team usually.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

Like both of those picks but I wouldn't give Babcock the Jack Adams. I think that a lot of the writers don't have a clue either most years but that's what makes them interesting I guess is the differences in opinions on different players/coaches/teams.

[Zion 93]

Talk about putting a hockey fan in his place.

I laugh at the comments posted, though. Niedermayer better than Lidstrom? At what, vacationing? Okay, I'll give him skating, but seriously...

[imisssergei 0]

Talk about putting a hockey fan in his place.

I laugh at the comments posted, though. Niedermayer better than Lidstrom? At what, vacationing? Okay, I'll give him skating, but seriously...

It's really hard to compare to two. They are both world class defensemen, but they play such different styles. Hands down Scotty is the best skater in the league, no one touches him there. But no one is near Lidstrom's ability with the stick. Both are absolutely incredible to watch.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

Bucci,

I previously wrote to you about being graced with the chance to meet future Hall of Famers Mike Modano and Joe Sakic in January while on my honeymoon in Cabo. My new wife and I discovered three weeks ago that she was pregnant and had been since January. Since you are the man to ask, what would be a good hockey name for a son or daughter?

Steve Kaufmann

St. Louis, Mo.

Just name it after the father. Mike or Joe will work.

Hahahah

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Bucci is my fave columnist ever. I absolutely love reading everything he writes. His replies are really hilarious sometimes.

I agree about Babs for best coach. He definitely deserves it.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Absolutely agree that Babcock should at least be considered for the Jack Adams trophy. It's absurd that Red Wings' coaches are not considered because it seems like we are actually expected to win our division, conference, Pres trophy every year. Don't forget we are now in an era of parity. Babcock does not have 9 HOFers on his team and an unlimited payroll . He has kept his team on a level above that of the rest of the league - pointswise comfortably above the competition in the division (yeah i know it sucks but so does the SE and their coaches are considered) and the conference. It is ridiculous that this trophy seems to be indeed reserved for the "crappy team that made good this year - must be the coach."

[eva unit zero 271]

It's really hard to compare to two. They are both world class defensemen, but they play such different styles. Hands down Scotty is the best skater in the league, no one touches him there. But no one is near Lidstrom's ability with the stick. Both are absolutely incredible to watch.

I would argue that there are many players who could challenge Scott for the title of best skater. Hell, Bret Hedican might be the best skating defenseman. Jay Bouwmeester could stake a claim to that title as well. If you go by what some posters on LGW say, though, Brett Lebda is easily the best skater in the league.

[imisssergei 0]

I would argue that there are many players who could challenge Scott for the title of best skater. Hell, Bret Hedican might be the best skating defenseman. Jay Bouwmeester could stake a claim to that title as well. If you go by what some posters on LGW say, though, Brett Lebda is easily the best skater in the league.

I dunno Eva, no one is quite as graceful as Scotty. Fedorov is a name that comes to mind, but IMHO, Scotty takes the cake.

[CapnSmitty 39]

I love Bucci!

That is my biggest sorrow about ESPN not carring hockey anymore...we dont get to see NHL2Night on ESPN2 anymore )c:

[RedFX 48]

This may be the best quote EVER

Bucci,

I previously wrote to you about being graced with the chance to meet future Hall of Famers Mike Modano and Joe Sakic in January while on my honeymoon in Cabo. My new wife and I discovered three weeks ago that she was pregnant and had been since January. Since you are the man to ask, what would be a good hockey name for a son or daughter?

Steve Kaufmann

St. Louis, Mo.

Just name it after the father. Mike or Joe will work.

[Doggy 130]

Hi John,

How do you feel about this theory?

The Detroit Red Wings are the only team in their division that will make the playoffs. With the unbalanced schedule, does that make their point total a little inflated as opposed to teams from the Pacific and Northwest, which are battling a group of playoff teams within their own divisions?

I mean, let's face it, the Central is a terrible division.

Jim Handzel

Sunnyvale

Aaaaahahahahahahaha!!

What a moron. Clearly this guy has looked at the standings and suddenly had an opinion on hockey.

I can't stop laughing. Must be embarrassing to be a complete idiot.

[BeatDown20 0]

I still say with no bias, Lidstrom should be MVP. I mean it's great that AO broke all the Caps goal records, but lets face it, the Caps are a pretty shabby hockey team. If he was truely the MVP, he could get his team to the playoffs. Lidstrom, on the other hand, has his team set in stone for the playoffs. He has 66 points in 71 games as a defenceman, and is a +41. I know he wont win it, but he should.

The Vezina is a no brainer, Brodeur. No one has been as good as him this year Luongo has been good, but stuck on a bad team. Nabakov has a ton of wins, but adequate stats for a Vezina winner. If one of Ozzie or Hasek had actually had 55+ games, they could be there. But as it stands, Brodeur.

[daniel1 32]

I dunno Eva, no one is quite as graceful as Scotty. Fedorov is a name that comes to mind, but IMHO, Scotty takes the cake.

Kovalev, or Crosby. Either or those two are better skaters than Neederwhiner is. They pull of most of their fancy skating with the puck and also while battling defencemen; Neederwhiner mostly skates from his own goal line (untouched) and either dishes the puck off to a forward or dumps it in... heck even I'd look good doing that, lol.

[Guest QuackQuack]

I still say with no bias, Lidstrom should be MVP. I mean it's great that AO broke all the Caps goal records, but lets face it, the Caps are a pretty shabby hockey team. If he was truely the MVP, he could get his team to the playoffs. Lidstrom, on the other hand, has his team set in stone for the playoffs. He has 66 points in 71 games as a defenceman, and is a +41. I know he wont win it, but he should.

The Vezina is a no brainer, Brodeur. No one has been as good as him this year Luongo has been good, but stuck on a bad team. Nabakov has a ton of wins, but adequate stats for a Vezina winner. If one of Ozzie or Hasek had actually had 55+ games, they could be there. But as it stands, Brodeur.

You just contradicted yourself completely.

Lidstrom is on a stacked team. Hes playing with Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Rafalski.

Ovechkin is playing with....?

Its a testament to Ovechkin's dominance that his team is actually in the playoff hunt.

If the Wings lost Lidstrom, sure the team would be lower in the standings but they would still be contenders.

If the Caps lost Ovechkin, who takes over? Nylander, Backstrom, Fedorov?

I would also argue that this team, with Raflaski on it would be hurting a hell of a lot more if they lost Datsyuk or Zetterberg then if they lost Lidstrom. The defense could survive without Lidstrom, as this season has shown.

Remove Datsyuk and Frazen, Hudler and Flip are basically worthless. Zetterberg certainly would have a dip in his point production. The offense would be abysmal. And I hate to say it, without goal production, this team would resemble the Canucks, without Luongo.

Lidstrom is certainly the best defenseman in the league. But hes not even close to the most valuable player, to this team at least.

1. Ovechkin

2. Malkin

3. Brodeur

4. Luongo

5. Iginla

6. Datsyuk

7. Kovalev

8. Bryzgalov

9. Lidstrom

10. Lecavalier

T-minus ten minutes before someone dissects this post and sights the Wings losing streak to Lidstrom's absence, even though half the team was injured including our other all star defenseman.

The truth is, Lidstrom has never and will never be an MVP candidate on this team. Its never been a bias against defenseman or this team, hes just not that important to the success of this team as some of you would like to believe.

Remove any of the players on the list above from their teams and they would all be getting lottery picks.

Edited March 27, 2008 by QuackQuack

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

You just contradicted yourself completely.

Lidstrom is on a stacked team. Hes playing with Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Rafalski.

Ovechkin is playing with....?

Its a testament to Ovechkin's dominance that his team is actually in the playoff hunt.

If the Wings lost Lidstrom, sure the team would be lower in the standings but they would still be contenders.

If the Caps lost Ovechkin, who takes over? Nylander, Backstrom, Fedorov?

I would also argue that this team, with Raflaski on it would be hurting a hell of a lot more if they lost Datsyuk or Zetterberg then if they lost Lidstrom. The defense could survive without Lidstrom, as this season has shown.

Remove Datsyuk and Frazen, Hudler and Flip are basically worthless. Zetterberg certainly would have a dip in his point production. The offense would be abysmal. And I hate to say it, without goal production, this team would resemble the Canucks, without Luongo.

Lidstrom is certainly the best defenseman in the league. But hes not even close to the most valuable player, to this team at least.

1. Ovechkin

2. Malkin

3. Brodeur

4. Luongo

5. Iginla

6. Datsyuk

7. Kovalev

8. Bryzgalov

9. Lidstrom

10. Lecavalier

T-minus ten minutes before someone dissects this post and sights the Wings losing streak to Lidstrom's absence, even though half the team was injured including our other all star defenseman.

The truth is, Lidstrom has never and will never be an MVP candidate on this team. Its never been a bias against defenseman or this team, hes just not that important to the success of this team as some of you would like to believe.

Remove any of the players on the list above from their teams and they would all be getting lottery picks.

The Wings were on a pretty bad snag in most of February when they won only once in 11 games. Lidstrom was injured for a good bit of those games. The team is definitely more than just Nicklas Lidstrom, but you are really downplaying his importance to this team in terms of results on the ice and statsheet, as well as his "quiet" leadership.

[norrisnick 1]

You just contradicted yourself completely.

Lidstrom is on a stacked team. Hes playing with Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Rafalski.

Ovechkin is playing with....?

Its a testament to Ovechkin's dominance that his team is actually in the playoff hunt.

If the Wings lost Lidstrom, sure the team would be lower in the standings but they would still be contenders.

If the Caps lost Ovechkin, who takes over? Nylander, Backstrom, Fedorov?

I would also argue that this team, with Raflaski on it would be hurting a hell of a lot more if they lost Datsyuk or Zetterberg then if they lost Lidstrom. The defense could survive without Lidstrom, as this season has shown.

Remove Datsyuk and Frazen, Hudler and Flip are basically worthless. Zetterberg certainly would have a dip in his point production. The offense would be abysmal. And I hate to say it, without goal production, this team would resemble the Canucks, without Luongo.

Lidstrom is certainly the best defenseman in the league. But hes not even close to the most valuable player, to this team at least.

1. Ovechkin

2. Malkin

3. Brodeur

4. Luongo

5. Iginla

6. Datsyuk

7. Kovalev

8. Bryzgalov

9. Lidstrom

10. Lecavalier

T-minus ten minutes before someone dissects this post and sights the Wings losing streak to Lidstrom's absence, even though half the team was injured including our other all star defenseman.

The truth is, Lidstrom has never and will never be an MVP candidate on this team. Its never been a bias against defenseman or this team, hes just not that important to the success of this team as some of you would like to believe.

Remove any of the players on the list above from their teams and they would all be getting lottery picks.

You are way too obvious.

[up2here 41]

Kovalev, or Crosby. Either or those two are better skaters than Neederwhiner is. They pull of most of their fancy skating with the puck and also while battling defencemen; Neederwhiner mostly skates from his own goal line (untouched) and either dishes the puck off to a forward or dumps it in... heck even I'd look good doing that, lol.

Im not sure anyone in the league can touch Lombardi or Fedorov,even at Sergei's age he is unbeleivable. Crosby isnt nearly as fast as the top skaters in the league but hes probably in the top 5 when it comes to strength on his skates.

[Doggy 130]

1. Ovechkin

2. Malkin

3. Brodeur

4. Luongo

5. Iginla

6. Datsyuk

7. Kovalev

8. Bryzgalov

9. Lidstrom

10. Lecavalier

T-minus ten minutes before someone dissects this post and sights the Wings losing streak to Lidstrom's absence, even though half the team was injured including our other all star defenseman.

The truth is, Lidstrom has never and will never be an MVP candidate on this team. Its never been a bias against defenseman or this team, hes just not that important to the success of this team as some of you would like to believe.

Remove any of the players on the list above from their teams and they would all be getting lottery picks.

Hahaha! Funny post.

Are you John Handzel from Sunnyvale??

[eva unit zero 271]

You just contradicted yourself completely.

Lidstrom is on a stacked team. Hes playing with Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Rafalski.

Ovechkin is playing with....?

Its a testament to Ovechkin's dominance that his team is actually in the playoff hunt.

If the Wings lost Lidstrom, sure the team would be lower in the standings but they would still be contenders.

If the Caps lost Ovechkin, who takes over? Nylander, Backstrom, Fedorov?

I would also argue that this team, with Raflaski on it would be hurting a hell of a lot more if they lost Datsyuk or Zetterberg then if they lost Lidstrom. The defense could survive without Lidstrom, as this season has shown.

Remove Datsyuk and Frazen, Hudler and Flip are basically worthless. Zetterberg certainly would have a dip in his point production. The offense would be abysmal. And I hate to say it, without goal production, this team would resemble the Canucks, without Luongo.

Lidstrom is certainly the best defenseman in the league. But hes not even close to the most valuable player, to this team at least.

1. Ovechkin

2. Malkin

3. Brodeur

4. Luongo

5. Iginla

6. Datsyuk

7. Kovalev

8. Bryzgalov

9. Lidstrom

10. Lecavalier

T-minus ten minutes before someone dissects this post and sights the Wings losing streak to Lidstrom's absence, even though half the team was injured including our other all star defenseman.

The truth is, Lidstrom has never and will never be an MVP candidate on this team. Its never been a bias against defenseman or this team, hes just not that important to the success of this team as some of you would like to believe.

Remove any of the players on the list above from their teams and they would all be getting lottery picks.

Lidstrom is FAR more important to the Wings' success than Datsyuk is.

[up2here 41]

Lidstrom is FAR more important to the Wings' success than Datsyuk is.

Agreed.Lidstrom is HANDS DOWN the most valuable Red Wing in my opinion.