NHL: Hockey Predictions From the Couch

By Ryan Norrington

Sports Central Columnist

The NHL's regular season is right around the corner and professional prognosticators are busy giving us their opinions on who will win the major awards this year, such as the Hart Trophy, the Vezina, and the Norris. Well, I like to do things a little differently, so I'm going to give you my best guesses on some awards that get very little attention or don't even exist - yet. The new trophies will be named after players who have exemplified the qualities of the award.

The Pat Falloon Trophy

This award is to go to a player who came to the NHL with a lot of hype and promise, but will continue to disappoint in the 2000-2001 season.

Runners-Up

1. Daniel Briere: Briere was once the AHL rookie of the year and before that led the QMJHL in scoring. In three partial seasons with the Coyotes, he has managed 25 points while shuttling between Phoenix and Springfield.

2. Jamie Rivers: This formerly highly-touted defencsman Jamie Rivers once scored 121 points as a blue liner in Sudbury of the OHL. In five NHL seasons, he has managed 22 points. The only thing that keeps him from winning this award is the fact that he has worked hard to make himself a solid defensive defenseman, and therefore is at least contributing in some form.

Winner

Alexandre Daigle: Daigle came to the NHL touted as the next big thing and conned the Senators into using their #1 overall pick on him. Since then he has failed on four different teams, despite being given plenty of ice time and solid line-mates. Oh yeah, he's also a laughable 156 in his 476 career NHL games.

The Vladimir Krutov Trophy

This trophy is awarded to the player who collects a healthy NHL paycheck while not showing interest or effort on a regular basis.

Runners-Up

1. Patrick Marleau: When Marleau first entered the league, he was compared to Mark Messier. Are you kidding me? I'm not sure he's thrown a hit since he joined the league, and certainly does not have even the minutest amount of the Moose's intensity. He has incredible offensive skills but has not made any attempts at playing defensively or physically since joining the Sharks.

2. Alexei Zhamnov: Zhamnov continues to show no interest in putting any points on the board in the first half of the season. The sad thing is, once he decides to exert himself, he is one of the most talented players in the league. Maybe this year he will show up a little sooner with new coach Alpo Suhonen and GM and Zhamnov-lover Mike Smith running the team.

Winner

Vladimir Malakhov: This guy should be in the running for the Norris Trophy every year. On talent alone, there may be no better defenseman. Unfortunately, he has absolutely no heart and only shows up when he wants to, which is less and less frequently. Adding to the problem, is the fact that he is extremely brittle.

The Marian Hossa Trophy

This trophy goes to the player who had a solid, but quiet rookie year and is most likely to break out with an excellent sophomore season.

Runners-Up

Trevor Letowski: Letowski managed 7 short handed goals in his rookie year and the fact that the Coyotes had him on the ice in such important situation, indicates he should get plenty of opportunities this season.
David Legwand: Legwand has all kinds of talent and on Nashville he will get lot's of ice time and should shine this year.

Winner

Paul Mara: This guy is a stud. He has all the tools to be a top defenseman in the NHL and will take a big step in that direction this year.

The Harold Snepsts Trophy

This trophy goes to a veteran who is still making a solid contribution in the NHL, but could just as easily be playing with his grandchildren in the den. Special consideration will be given to those who continue to play a physical game or who choose not to wear a helmet.

Runners-Up

Pat Verbeek: 36-years-old and still scoring 25 goals with 50 points and 100 minutes a year. All the while getting under people's skins and playing a feisty game like he always has.

Chris Chelios: Another veteran Red Wing, Chelios is 38 and still a physical force. Chelios had a stellar season last year, notching a team leading +48 to go along with 40 points and 100 minutes.

Winner

Steve Thomas: Thomas is the epitome of a clutch player and at 37 is still willing to drop the gloves, especially to protect teammates like Mats Sundin. Last year Thomas had a lot of trouble getting going, but once he did, he became the Leafs' best player down the stretch.

Article courtesy of Sports Central