LaberFred » Johnny Boychuk on the eve of the seaso

American Thanksgiving is the point of the NHL schedule where teams take stock of where they are in the standings. Some have met expectations, others not so much. Same with players and we take a look at those who are deserving of an extra helping of acknowledgement with quarter-season awards and honours. Best Player Rank Player GP G A PTS +/- 1 Sidney Crosby (PIT) 20 9 20 29 +6 2 Tyler Seguin (DAL) 22 17 11 28 +6 3 Steven Stamkos (TB) 22 14 10 24 +2 Crosby has been the best and remains the best. Seguin is getting better. Building upon an outstanding 2013-14 season, the thought of him not yet reaching his full potential has to make opponents shudder at what he may be capable of doing. Stamkos may not have eye-popping numbers but his game has become more complete and he impacts without having to score. Sounds like his GM, Steve Yzerman. Hart Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS +/- 1 Mark Giordano (CGY) 23 6 18 24 +11 2 Sidney Crosby (PIT) 20 9 20 29 +6 3 Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) 22 12 11 23 +15 Giordano has been outstanding for the Flames. What he does on a game in game out basis has allowed the Flames to rekindle thoughts of the playoffs. Vladimir Tarasenko gives the Blues something they haven’t had since Brett Hull. A scoring threat who can win games single-handed. Vezina Trophy Rank Player GP W-L-OT GAA SV% SO 1 Pekka Rinne (NAS) 18 14-3-1 1.97 .927 1 2 Jonathan Quick (LA) 18 10-4-4 2.22 .932 2 3 Jaroslav Halak (NYI) 14 10-4-0 2.23 .922 3 Rinne has been in net for every Nashville win to date. Enough said. Where would the Kings be without Quick? He has stolen points for a team that has uncharacteristically surrendered lots of shots. Halak is one part of Garth Snow’s off-season moves that has allowed the Islanders to be one of the NHL’s best teams. His overall numbers may not reflect his importance but the last seven games he has played certainly do. Norris Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS +/- 1 Mark Giordano (CGY) 23 6 18 24 +11 2 T.J. Brodie (CGY) 23 5 13 18 +13 3 Shea Weber (NAS) 21 6 7 13 +9 If you are the MVP, then it follows you are the best defenceman. Brodie deserves accolades for forming a duo that is arguably the NHL’s best defence tandem. His abilities complement Giordano and he has been a huge catalyst for the Flames’ success. Weber will remain in the Norris discussion for the foreseeable future. Nicklas Lidstrom began his annual hold on the Norris Trophy at the age of 31 and Weber is looking to follow suit as a top defenceman in his thirties. Best Defensive Defenceman Rank Player GP PTS ATOI +/- 1 Shea Weber (NAS) 21 13 26:59 +9 2 Ryan Suter (MIN) 20 11 29:13 +13 3 Duncan Keith (CHI) 21 13 25:27 +2 Weber is known for his tremendous shot but his defensive game is outstanding. Suter continues to master the balancing act of high minutes and superb play. A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Keith begins with defensive play that is a foundation of his overall success. Calder Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS +/- 1 Filip Forsberg (NAS) 21 9 13 22 +18 2 Aaron Ekblad (FLA) 19 2 9 11 E 3 Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) 22 3 12 15 +6 HM John Klingberg (DAL) 8 3 5 8 +6 Forsberg brings skill, power and intensity that is leading the way for the Predators and leading the way for the Calder. Ekblad’s maturity may not be widely noticed but he is playing very effectively in a very difficult position for an 18-year-old. Can Gaudreau follow a Hobey Baker Award with a Calder? That is the question now, not whether or not he can play in the NHL. Klingberg has been outstanding in his first eight games in the NHL. The sample size is small but if his play continues over the longer haul, he will move himself into top contending status. Lady Byng Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS PIM 1 Henrik Sedin (VAN) 22 5 16 21 2 2 Jakub Voracek (PHI) 20 7 22 29 6 3 Patric Hornqvist (PIT) 20 10 14 24 6 Sedin is producing again. He may epitomize the Lady Byng Trophy; a determined competitor who does it in a ‘within the rules’ framework. The interesting aspect of both Voracek’s and Hornqvist’s games is that they play with a power element. Playing that style is not conducive to Lady Byng consideration but perhaps the times they are a-changing. Frank J. Selke Trophy Rank Player GP G A PTS CORSI% 1 Jonathan Toews (CHI) 21 9 9 18 64.32 2 Jeff Carter (LA) 22 7 11 18 60.92 3 Patrice Bergeron (BOS) 23 5 11 16 56.99 Bergeron will always be in this discussion and he could easily be first but I like Toews’ ability to make an impact defensively and, at the same time, continue to contribute offensively. In Jonathan’s case one builds off of the other. Carter may be a surprise but since his move to centre ice, he has shown to be an exemplary defensive player. Given that he has worked with two relatively young wingers in Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, his all-around game deserves recognition. Top General Manager Rank GM GP W-L-OT PTS 2013-14 FINISH 1 Garth Snow (NYI) 21 15-6-0 30 34-37-5 2 David Poile (NAS) 21 14-5-2 30 38-32-3 3 Jim Benning (VAN) 22 15-6-1 31 36-35-4 The Islanders are where they are in the standings because of Snow. His off-season moves have proven to be exactly what the Islanders needed. Experienced forwards, an accomplished goalie who stabilizes the position and the coup-de-grace in acquiring Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk on the eve of the season, have shown him to be both calculating and bold. Poile has added key offensive players to the Predators. The trade for Filip Forsberg in March, 2013 is one of the decade’s very best and along with James Neal and taking a chance on Mike Ribiero, Nashville doesn’t have to hope for scoring they can generate it. Jim Benning took over a franchise that many thought no longer had a ‘window’ to compete for a Stanley Cup. Hiring Willie Desjardins, navigating a very tricky situation with Ryan Kesler, shoring up the goaltending with the signing of Ryan Miller and adding Radim Vrbata to play with the Sedins has allowed the Canucks to return to form. Jack Adams Award Rank Coach GP W-L-OT PTS 2013-14 FINISH 1 Bob Hartley (CGY) 23 13-8-2 28 35-40-4 2 Willie Desjardins (VAN) 22 15-6-1 31 36-35-4 3 Michel Therrien (MTL) 23 16-6-1 33 46-28-5 Hartley has high expectations so regardless of what others’ expectations were for the Flames, he has done a magnificent job. Keep in mind that he has lost three centres to injury: Matt Stajan, Mikael Backlund and Joe Colborne and they continue their winning ways. Desjardins led the Texas Stars to the Calder Cup championship last season and is showing a deft touch with the Canucks. Hopes have rebounded for the team in Vancouver. Expectations may not have been higher anywhere than in Montreal after the run to the Conference Final last season. The Canadiens are showing they are a team that don’t rely on any one player and their coach has instilled a belief in the team that they can be better than last year. Seattle Seahawks Jerseys . The light-heavyweight champion and number one ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world is on an 11-fight UFC winning streak, the longest in the history of the weight class. Michael Dickson Jersey . - Carter Verhaeghe scored the winner with 41 seconds to go as the Niagara IceDogs edged the North Bay Battalion 3-2 to even their first-round series at a game apiece in Ontario Hockey League playoff action on Sunday. http://www.seahawksfansofficial.com/dontae-johnson-jersey/.5 million. University officials released the term sheet signed by Harsin Wednesday, the day the former Broncos walk-on player and Boise native was named the successor to Chris Petersen, who left for Washington last week. Shaquem Griffin Seahawks Jersey .C. -- The shot that would have beaten No. Custom Seattle Seahawks Jerseys . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training.Seattle, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - Clint Dempsey made a triumphant return to Seattle on Sunday as he scored in the 71st minute to help the Sounders to a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers at CenturyLink Field. Dempsey spent the past month in Brazil with the United States national team at the World Cup, but in his first game back, it was his second-half goal that separated the Cascadia Cup rivals before Marco Pappa added an insurance tally four minutes from time for the hosts. Seattle has now won four of its last five games to move 10 points clear at the top of the Western Conference. The match was an extremely cautious affair in the opening 45 minutes as the two sides combined to put just one shot on target. But things came to life after the break as Portland goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts needed to be alert to keep out a chance from Gonzalo Pineda in the opeening minute of the half.dddddddddddd Dempsey nearly turned home a header from Zach Scott at close range in the 59th, but he made no mistake with his next chance. Ricketts produced a fine double save to first deny Dempsey and then Obafemi Martins in front of goal. However, Portland was unable to clear the ball and Pineda drove a shot toward the net that Dempsey was able to redirect home. Lamar Neagle nearly added another goal for the Sounders when he struck the post in the 82nd minute, while the Timbers came within inches of an equalizer in the 85th as Gaston Fernandez unleashed a long-range shot that clipped the outside of the upright with Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei easily beaten. One minute later, Seattle put the game away as Neagle led a counter-attack that saw him square the ball to Pappa inside the area for a left-footed finish. Cheap Barcelona Jerseys Cheap Real Madrid Jerseys Authentic Cheap Bayern Munich Jerseys Cheap Dortmund Jerseys Cheap USA Jerseys Cheap USWNT Jerseys France Soccer Jerseys Soccer Mexico Jerseys Cheap Germany Jerseys Cheap Belgium Soccer Jerseys Brazil Jerseys From China Germany Jerseys From China Authentic Soccer Mexico Jerseys Cheap Portugal Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Spain Jerseys Cheap France Football Jerseys Cheap Germany Jerseys Authentic Cheap Mexico Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Colombia Jerseys Cheap Belgium Football Jerseys Wholesale Argentina Jerseys Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys China cheap uswnt jersey authentic Authentic AC Milan Jerseys Discount Arsenal Jerseys Wholesale A.S. Roma Jerseys Wholesale Atletico Madrid Jerseys Chelsea Jerseys From China Barcelona Jerseys From China Cheap Bayern Munich Jerseys Authentic Borussia Dortmund Jerseys Authentic Inter Milan Jerseys Authentic Juventus Jerseys Cheap Leicester City Jerseys Wholesale Liverpool Jerseys Authentic Manchester City Jerseys Authentic Manchester United Jerseys Cheap Paris Saint-Germain Jerseys Authentic Real Madrid Jerseys Sevilla Jerseys For Sale Tottenham Hotspur Jerseys Outlet ' ' '