by Luke DeCock

The News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)

If the Washington Capitals missed the playoffs and Alex Ovechkin beat out Jarome Iginla for the Hart Trophy anyway, that decision would have corrected the injustice of 2002 when Iginla was denied the trophy for the exact same reason.

That season, Montreal Canadiens goalie Jose Theodore surprised Iginla, by far the league's most dominant player, for the Hart Trophy, apparently because Iginla's Calgary Flames didn't make the playoffs.

The general consensus this year is that Ovechkin is the Hart favorite whether the Capitals made it or not And that's the right answer.

Of these awards, the NHL's general managers vote on the Vezina Trophy and the NHL Broadcasters Association on the Adams Award. The others are awarded in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

HART TROPHY– MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington
The debate over whether Ovechkin deserved to be named MVP if the Capitals didn't make the playoffs was completely moot.

Not only was he the best player in the league -by far – he was clearly the most valuable to his team, almost singlehandedly taking the Capitals from last place to the verge of the Southeast Division title.

When both are healthy, Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby figure to fight over the Hart for years to come the way Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux did in the late '80s and early '90s.

Also under consideration (in alphabetical order):
Jarome Iginla, Calgary; Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit; Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh; Eric Staal, Carolina.

NORRIS TROPHY BEST DEFENSEMAN

Nicklas Lidstrom, D, Detroit
At this point, the question isn't whether Lidstrom is the best defenseman of his generation. It's where he ranks among the all-time greats. The argument could be made that only Bobby Orr is ahead.
Lidstrom does it all. He's stout defensively, both in terms of positioning and physical play. He passes the puck as well as any power-play specialist. And he's a consummate professional who's at his best every night.

Also under consideration: Brian Campbell, San Jose; Zdeno Chara, Boston; Dion Phaneuf, Calgary; Chris Pronger, Anaheim.

VEZINA TROPHY – BEST GOALIE

Evgeni Nabokov, G, San Jose

When the Sharks were struggling during the first half of the season, Nabokov was a rock, starting San Jose's first 43 games. And when they turned it around and became the NHL's hottest team over the
final two months of the season, Nabokov was a big part of that.

Like Jean-Sebastien Giguere in Anaheim, Nabokov has been platooned for most of his career. And like Giguere, he thrived as the unquestioned No. 1.

Also under consideration: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey; Giguere, Anaheim; Henrik Lundqvist, N.Y. Rangers: Tim Thomas, Boston.

CALDER TROPHY – BEST ROOKIE

Patrick Kane, C, Chicago

Teammate Jonathan Toews may be a more well-rounded player, and Washington's Nicklas Backstrom may end up as the leading scorer among rookies, but Kane's ability to take over a game pushes him ahead of those two.

Despite his smallish stature, Kane has the kind of offensive instincts that cannot be taught. He'll be the the focal point of the Blackhawks' renaissance for years to come.

Also under consideration: Backstrom, Washington; Tobias Enstrom, Atlanta; Carey Price, Montreal; Marc Staal, N.Y. Rangers: Toews, Chicago.

SELKE TROPHY – BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD

John Madden, New Jersey

Rod Brind'Amour‘s injury opens up this category because when healthy the defending Selke winner is perennially a favorite. Anaheim's Samuel Pahlsson would have been the frontrunner, but has missed most of the season as well.

It's time to once again recognize the player who keeps the Devils the Devils, even under a new regime. Madden centers what, on any given night, can be the NHL's best checking line.

Also under consideration: Chris Drury, N.Y. Rangers; Ryan Kesler, Vancouver; Saku Koivu, Montreal; Todd Marchant, Anaheim.

ADAMS AWARD – BEST COACH

Bruce Boudreau, Washington

The former Hyannisport Presidents' star took over a team headed nowhere, with almost no fanfare, and turned the rudderless operation around. Glen Hanlon had been doing a great job in Washington with much worse teams, but he never had the Caps playing this well.

There are many worthy candidates this year who didn't have the luxury of inking the likely MVP into their lineup every night. But the Capitals' turnaround was so stark and so driven by Boudreau's easygoing personality that he stands above the rest.

Also under consideration: Mike Babcock, Detroit: Guy Carbonneau, Montreal: Peter Laviolette, Carolina: Ron Wilson, San Jose.