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Filip Forsberg, Predators Reach Agreement on 8-Year Contract Worth Reported $70M
Jul 9, 2022
NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 15: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Washington Capitals during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on February 15, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
Filip Forsberg and the Nashville Predators reached an agreement on a new eight-year contract, the team announced Saturday.
ESPN's Dawn Davenport first reported the sides were nearing a deal that would pay Forsberg close to $70 million.
The news comes after the left wing had been linked in numerous trade rumors leading up to the March 21 deadline. However, Predators general manager David Poile said on March 1 that he wanted to extend the alternate captain's contract before the deadline, so the deal comes as no surprise.
Poile said in an interview with 102.5 The Game in Nashville (h/t NHL.com):
"No, I'm not trying to trade Filip Forsberg, I'm trying to sign Filip Forsberg. It hasn't been done. I don't know when it's going to get done. I don't have the crystal ball to say it will get done. Both sides want it to happen, but it hasn't happened now."
The Washington Capitals selected Forsberg 11th overall in the 2012 draft before trading him to the Predators. The Swede has spent his entire 10-year career in Nashville, tallying 220 goals and 249 assists for 469 points in 566 games.
The 27-year-old appeared in 69 games during the 2021-22 season, tallying 42 goals and 42 assists.
With Forsberg remaining in Nashville, the franchise can focus on locking up several soon-to-be free agents such as Nick Cousins.
Ryan McDonagh Traded from Lightning to Predators for Philippe Myers, Grant Mismash
Jul 3, 2022
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 22: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period in Game Four of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 22, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Philippe Myers and forward Grant Mismash, the franchise announced Sunday.
"He's one of the best defenders in the NHL, he's a selfless player and a great leader. I would like to thank him for everything he's done for us," Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois told reporters.
Tampa Bay's decision to move McDonagh was largely to clear cap space, as the 33-year-old is under contract for four more seasons with an average annual salary of $6.8 million.
If the Lightning buy out the remainder of Myers' contract, which has been speculated, they will have cleared more than $7.3 million in cap space, per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff. However, BriseBois told reporters Sunday that they don't plan to buy out the veteran defenseman and that they like his "toolbox," per The Athletic's Joe Smith.
That said, the Bolts are still over the salary cap by $933,333, per CapFriendly, and will need to clear more cap space if they hope to re-sign unrestricted free agents Ondrej Palat and Jan Rutta this summer.
Tampa Bay is currently set to head into the 2022-23 season with a defense that includes Myers, Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak, Zach Bogosian and Cal Foote. While that's not a bad group, the loss of McDonagh is a tough blow to the unit.
McDonagh spent four-and-a-half seasons with the Lightning after being sent to Tampa Bay in a trade from the New York Rangers, with whom he began his career, in February 2018. He played a key role in each of Tampa Bay's Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021 and the team's run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2022.
From 2020-22, the Minnesota native averaged 21:47 of ice time in 171 regular-season games, tallying nine goals and 41 assists for 50 points. He averaged 23:10 of ice time in 68 playoff games in that span, notching two goals and 16 assists for 18 points.
While McDonagh is undoubtedly past his prime, he still had a solid 2021-22 campaign, tallying four goals and 22 assists for 26 points in 71 games while averaging 22:27 of ice time, the highest he's averaged since the 2017-18 season.
McDonagh will now be tasked with helping anchor a Nashville defense alongside Norris Trophy finalist Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm. It's unclear which pairing he will play on, but Josi and Ekholm will probably be ahead of him on the depth chart.
Even with the trade for McDonagh, Nashville has $18.1 million in cap space, per CapFriendly. That gives the Predators more than enough room to re-sign star forward Filip Forsberg, in addition to some of their other free agents.
However, the Preds could use an upgrade on offense even if Forsberg returns, so it's possible the franchise will look into some of the top available forwards when free agency opens.
As for the Bolts, Myers will probably be one of their bottom pairing defensemen. He tallied one goal and three assists for four points in 27 games with the Preds last season and had an underwhelming three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers before that, posting six goals and 23 assists for 29 points in 115 games.
Mismash spent the 2021-22 campaign with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, tallying six goals and 12 points in his rookie year. The 23-year-old will likely remain in the AHL for the 2022-23 season as Tampa Bay has plenty of offensive depth.
Avalanche's Cale Makar Wins 2021-22 Norris Trophy
Jun 21, 2022
DENVER, CO - MAY 31: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) celebrates his goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) in the second period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar has won the 2021-22 Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, beating out Nashville Predators veteran Roman Josi and Tampa Bay Lightning big man Victor Hedman for the honor.
Makar, who was also nominated for the award last season, is Colorado's first-ever Norris Trophy winner.
The 23-year-old led all defensemen with 28 goals and ranked second among defensemen with 86 points in 77 regular-season games. He also averaged 25:40 of ice time and a plus-48 plus/minus.
The Avalanche selected Makar fourth overall in the 2017 draft. After playing four seasons of college hockey at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he made his NHL debut during the 2019-20 season.
The Canadian tallied 12 goals and 38 assists for 50 points in 57 games during his first season and won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's most outstanding rookie. He also finished ninth in Norris Trophy voting that year.
Makar was a finalist for the Norris award during the 2020-21 pandemic-shortened season after recording eight goals and 36 assists for 44 points in 44 games, but he finished second to New York Rangers star Adam Fox.
Considering he had a breakout 2021-22 campaign, it's no surprise he was the winner of this year's Norris Trophy.
Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Wins 2021-22 Ted Lindsay Award
Jun 21, 2022
TORONTO, ON - MAY 10: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on May 10, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has won the 2021-22 Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's most outstanding player, beating out Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi for the honor.
Matthews is the first Maple Leaf and only the second United States-born player to win the award after Patrick Kane.
The 24-year-old also won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal scorer for the second straight season and won the Hart Trophy as the player viewed to be the most valuable to his team.
Matthews tallied a career-high 60 goals and 46 assists for 106 points in 73 games. He also recorded 19.2 percent of Toronto's goals, which helped the team finish second in the Atlantic Division with a 54-21-7 record and reach the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
The San Ramon, California native finished first in the NHL averaging 0.82 goals per game. It was the highest per-game rate for any player since Mario Lemieux averaged 0.99 goals per game in 1995-96. In addition, he finished first in the league with 44 even-strength goals.
The Maple Leafs selected Matthews first overall in the 2016 NHL draft, and he has been a staple in their lineup ever since. He won the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie in 2016-17 after finishing with 40 goals and 29 assists for 69 points in 82 games and has also earned one All-Star selection.
In 407 career games, Matthews has had 259 goals and 198 assists for 457 points. He is under contract with Toronto through the 2023-24 season at $11.6 million per year.
Rangers' Igor Shesterkin Wins 2021-22 Vezina Trophy
Jun 21, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 03: Goaltender Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers waves to the fans following a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on June 3, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
New York Rangers star Igor Shesterkin has won the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender, beating out Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators) and Jacob Markstrom (Calgary Flames) for the honor.
The 26-year-old becomes the third goaltender in Rangers history to win the award, joining Henrik Lundqvist and John Vanbiesbrouck. Lundqvist was last to win the award for the franchise in 2012.
The news comes as little surprise as the third-year netminder dominated play and led the Rangers to a second place finish in the Metropolitan Division.
Shesterkin won 36 of his 52 starts, going 36-13-4 with six shutouts and a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. He led the NHL in even strength save percentage (.934) and goals saved above average (26.38), per Natural Stat Trick.
In addition, the Russian recorded a .866 high-danger save percentage at even strength, which ranked second behind New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin.
The Rangers selected Shesterkin in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL draft. He spent the 2019-20 season as a backup and emerged as the team's starter during the 2020-21 season, posting a 16-14-3 record in 35 games (31 starts).
With a Vezina Trophy to his name, Shesterkin will be due for a significant extension after the 2024-25 season. He's currently on a four-year, $22.6 million deal that he signed before the 2021-22 season, making $5.6 million per year.
Report: Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to Buy Predators over Several Years
Jun 17, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: A view of the jersey logo of the Nashville Predators during their game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
Bill Haslam, who served as Tennessee's governor from 2011-19, will purchase the Nashville Predators in a gradual process.
Per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, Haslam will become the Predators' new owner "over a period of years" as he purchases shares of the franchise from the ownership group led by Herbert Fritch.
Scott Soshnick, Kurt Badenhausen and Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico reported Thursday that Haslam was nearing a deal to purchase the franchise.
The report noted that the Predators are valued at $680 million, which ranks 26th out of 32 NHL teams.
Per Hockey Reference, Nashville ranked fourth in the NHL in home attendance (758,317) and average attendance (18,496) and third in capacity percentage (100.6) during the 2021-22 regular season.
According to Wyshynski, the process of Haslam purchasing a majority of shares to become the majority owner is expected to happen over three years. The are "no current plans" for minority owners to sell their shares to Haslam.
Fritch joined Nashville's ownership group in 2007 and assumed control of the franchise in January 2019. He succeeded Tom Cigarran, who remains a member of the ownership committee.
Forbes estimates Haslam's net worth at $2.3 billion. His father is the founder of the Pilot Flying J truck stops. The 63-year-old served as president of the family business from 1995-99.
Haslam is the younger brother of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.
The Predators have made it to the playoffs in each of the past eight seasons. They reached the Stanley Cup Final during the 2016-17 season, losing in six games to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Nashville finished fifth in the Central Division this season with 97 points. The No. 1 wild-card team was swept in the first round of the postseason by the Colorado Avalanche.
NHL Rumors: Nashville Predators Nearing Deal to Sell Franchise to Bill Haslam
Jun 17, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 17: A view of the jersey logo of the Nashville Predators during their game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
It appears the Nashville Predators will soon have a new owner.
The team's ownership group, which is led by Herbert Fritch, is inching closer to a deal to sell the franchise to former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam, according to Sportico's Scott Soshnick, Kurt Badenhausen and Eben Novy-Williams.
Haslam, the brother of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, is worth $2.3 billion, according to Forbes, which values the Predators at $600 million.
The Predators entered the NHL in 1998 as an expansion team, though Fritch didn't join the ownership group until 2007, when the franchise's original owner, Craig Leipold, was considering selling the team to an investor that wanted to relocate the franchise to Canada.
Fritch assumed control of the team in January 2019 when he was named chairman. His reasons for wanting to sell the franchise are unclear.
Despite being one of the more lower-valued teams in the NHL, the Predators have a strong following in the Music City. Nashville had the league's second-highest attendance percentage (100.6) during the 2021-22 season, according to ESPN, trailing just the Vegas Golden Knights (104.2).
The Predators have grown particularly popular in Nashville since the team reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017. Despite falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins that year, the team has reached the postseason every year since and in 15 of the last 18 seasons.
That said, the Predators had a disappointing 2021-22 campaign, finishing fifth in the Central Division with a 45-30-7 record and being swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Colorado Avalanche.
Nashville has struggled to contend for a title since that 2017 Stanley Cup run, and the team's new owner will be tasked with helping get the team back on track.
If the sale goes through, the Predators will become the second NHL team over the last year to be sold. The Pittsburgh Penguins were sold to the Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, in November 2021.
The quest for a first Stanley Cup title goes on for another year for the Nashville Predators . The Colorado Avalanche swept Nashville in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs...
Dear Abbey: Community Members Choose Their NHL Award Winners
Apr 29, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 19: Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning accepts the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team, during the 2019 NHL Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 19, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Welcome to another edition of Dear Abbey. I donât give life advice like the real Dear Abby, but I do talk about hockey.
The end of the regular season means voting season for the members of the hockey media. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and broadcast media vote on most of the major awards. A few are voted on by players and NHL general managers. The hype for the NHL Awards doesnât quite hit its peak until after the Stanley Cup Final, but they are being talked about quite a bit at the moment since voting for all awards occurs before the start of the playoffs to fairly judge regular season performances.
Currently, I'm in the process of completing my ballot. It's not an easy, or quick, exercise. It once took me an entire cross-country flight to complete my ballot, and in the process of writing this, I've already changed my mind about a few rankings and candidates. It takes a lot of time to look at all of the traditional metrics and the underlying metrics, and I do try and talk to some people throughout hockey to try to get a feel for the contributions of players on teams I may not be as familiar with.
These awards mean a lot to players and that needs to be taken into consideration.
At a later date, I'll go into detail on my thought process for choosing and ranking the finalists. But today is all about giving the fans a voice in the awards. We asked members of the B/R hockey community who they would choose for the major honors: The Hart, Norris, Vezina, Calder and Selke Trophies and the Jack Adams and Jim Gregory Awards.
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 19: Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators waves to a fan during warmups prior to an NHL game against the Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena on April 19, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
Hart Trophy: Most Valuable Player
Matthews: Hart, McDavid: Ted Lindsay just because itâs a damn coin flip for the Hart. (@eddystros84)
Josi should win the Hart (@frankthetank95)
Igor for the Hart and Vezina and itâs not even close (@T8Salt)
I would definitely vote Josi for the Hart if I could. For what the award is, player most valuable to his team, I feel like nobody else represents that better than Josi, Man has carried that team on his back into a playoff spot. (@jrs99)
I expected fans to choose New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin and I expected voters for Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid. But it appears as though Roman Josi has entered the chat.
The Nashville Predators defenseman has been the Norris Trophy frontrunner all season. He recently became the first blueliner to eclipse 90 points since Ray Bourque did it during the 1993-94 season with the Boston Bruins. The 31-year-old Swiss defender logged the highest-scoring season by a defenseman in the salary cap era (Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson played at an 89-point pace in 2019-20 but the season was shortened because of COVID-19 and he finished with 75).
The Preds have exceeded expectations this season. Matt Duchene is having a career renaissance at age 31 with his first 40-goal season. Filip Forsberg also turned in a 40-goal year. Juuse Saros has been one of the best goalies in the league.
But Josi is the engine that makes the car go.
And for the record, in 2018, there was another player that âcarried that team on his back into a playoff spot,â that had the same coach: Taylor Hall, who was then a winger for the New Jersey Devils. That should speak to John Hynes' abilities as a coach, and possibly garner him some Jack Adams votes.
The Hart is an exceptionally difficult award to predict this year. Matthews became just the 21st player in NHL history to score 60 goals, Johnny Gaudreau put up 113 points for the Calgary Flames and has become a more complete player off the puck, McDavid is the best player in the world and continues to play like one and Jonathan Huberdeau's 85 assists demonstrate his importance as a distributor for a team that has averaged more than 4.0 goals per game this season.
Josi will get votes. So will Shesterkin. The rest on this list probably will too. Is there a wrong answer? Itâs difficult to say when there are so many deserving candidates.
EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 22: Colorado Avalanche Defenceman Cale Makar (8) in action in the second period during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Colorado Avalanche on April 22, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Norris Trophy: Best Defenseman
Josi: Norris (@eddystros84)
Makar for Norris (@crybabycarr)
If Makar wins the Norris, thatâs just pure bias because people like him more and heâs the flashier player. No offense to him at all, but this year Josi is the better defenseman. (@noahquesnelle)
I disagree that a win for Makar, the Colorado Avalanche defenseman and 2020 Calder Award winner, would be pure bias because he's an elite defenseman and he has played at an elite level this season. As for who has the edge? It's a tough call.
Makar has outscored Josi 27-22 but Josi edges him in points, 93-85.
Makar is defensively responsible, but Josi is the better defender. However, the old Paul Coffey adage still rings true in todayâs NHL: The best way to play defense is have the puck. When Makar is on the ice, the Avs are generating 55.71 percent of the shot attempts; when Josi is on the ice, the Preds are taking 86.85 percent of the attempts.
Sure, you could make the argument that Makar is on a stronger team with more talent and Josi, the 2020 Norris winner, has been carrying the Preds and making everyone around him better. But thatâs an argument for the Hart Trophy, not for the Norris. The Norris Trophy is an award for the most outstanding defenseman, not the most valuable defenseman.
The two are neck-and-neck, so I think the one thing we can (mostly) agree on is that this isnât the year for Victor Hedman or Adam Fox, despite the fact that those are two exceptional defensemen.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers makes the walk to the ice against the Winnipeg Jets at Madison Square Garden on April 19, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
Vezina Trophy: Best Goaltender
Igor: Vezina (@eddystros84)
As a reminder, the Vezina is voted on by general managers, not the media.
But if it was up to the fans, the winner would be Shesterkin.
Itâs clear that Shesterkinâs play this season has put him in the upper echelon of netminders, with his name in the same conversation as Andrei Vasilevskiy, Marc-Andre Fleury, Connor Hellebuyck, Sergei Bobrovsky and Robin Lehner. The metrics used to evaluate them arenât as accurate as the metrics used to evaluate the skaters and they can vary wildly from year-to-year.
Goaltending stats can be more easily influenced by the skaters in front of them, which is why goals against average is sometimes discounted, and one bad game can wreck their save percentage.
At one point this season, Shesterkin had an absurd .945 save percentage. He'll end the season somewhere around .935, which could lead all goalies by about 5-10 percentage points, with New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin likely to finish second.
You can bring in the argument about value to a team in Vezina Trophy discussions because goaltending is absolutely crucial to success. The Devils could really fly this season and up-and-coming young players generated offense in all sorts of ways, but their minus-57 goal differential showed just how much of an Achilles heel goaltending was.
Shesterkin is the favoite despite the fact that heâll make less than 55 starts, but a 1A and 1B model is largely favored in todayâs NHL game, so I donât think that will take away too many votes.
I would also expect Saros, Frederik Andersen, Jakob Markstrom, Darcy Kuemper and possibly even Sorokin to garner some votes as well.
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 24: Moritz Seider #53 of the Detroit Red Wings skates during warm up prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils on April 24, 2022 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
Calder Memorial Trophy: Rookie of the Year
Bunting (@thedudeyaknow)
Seider (@jrs99)
Seider: Calder (@eddystros84)
There was one reader who called Michael Bunting an old man, which made me laugh because at 26, the Toronto Maple Leafs forward is considerably older than most rookies. In fact, he barely qualifies as a rookie. Sportsnet's Justin Bourne said he dodged the qualifications "matrix style" and that's exactly how it should be described.
From the official hockey operations guidelines:
To be considered a rookie, a player must not have played in more than 25 NHL games in any preceding seasons, nor in six or more NHL games in each of any two preceding seasons. Any player at least 26 years of age (by September 15th of that season) is not considered a rookie.
The AHL and ECHL veteran played in 21 games last season and five in the 2018-19 season before and he made the birthday cutoff by only two days.
Itâs quite a feat, as are his 63 points which lead all NHL rookies. He might be about 5-6 years older than the other top first-year players, but itâs great to see players like Bunting and 24-year-old Predators rookie Tanner Jeannot, the rookie goals leader with 24, finally break through at the NHL level after grinding in the minor leagues for so long.
Moritz Seider has already become the franchise cornerstone the Detroit Red Wings expected him to become when they drafted him in 2019. The German defenseman has logged heavy minutes in important situations for a rebuilding Red Wings team and has looked as mature and effective as some of the longtime NHL vets. His teammate Lucas Raymond, a 20-year-old rookie, was one of Detroitâs top forwards this year and showed immense potential.
Trevor Zegras, second in rookie points with 60, wasnât mentioned by fans, but the Anaheim Ducks center has been one of the most entertaining young players in the league this season. He displays tremendous skill with his lacrosse-style goals and, while maybe frustrating to some, his flashy plays are redefining the way the game is played.
Seider seems to be the favorite, but you canât overlook Zegras, Raymond, Matt Boldy in Minnesota or Seth Jarvis in Carolina.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 17: Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers gets set for the face-off against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period of an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on April 17, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. Florida defeated Detroit 6-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Best Two-Way Forward
JEEK Selke (@thedudeyaknow)
Lindholm (@jrs99)
Selke this year is the hardest but I think two players stand out, Barkov and Erickson Ek (@eddystros84)
Patrice Bergeron has won the Selke four times, come in second place four times and third place in voting twice. Bergeron and Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar have become the gold-standard of two-way centers.
However, the fans are higher on Minnesota Wild forward Joel Eriksson Ek. I think Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames has a strong case as well, and Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov can never be counted out of a Selke competition.
In recent years, the Selke Trophy has become an award to recognize the best two-way forward. If that's the case, then we're really not giving Matthews or McDavid enough credit. Technically, that's not the criteria. The definition states, "the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game."
What constitutes a good defensive forward is up for debate, which is why this award is somewhat subjective. Minnesota winger Marcus Foligno told The Athletic that a Selke winner should have shutdown defensive abilities and also contribute offensively. How much offensive contribution is up for debate.
Physicality, shot suppression and puck possession are factors as well.
Matchups may be the biggest factor. Are these forwards regularly playing against other teams' top lines and limiting their production? Barkov and Bergeron do that, so are players like Rangers center Mika Zibanejad.
The Hart and Selke leave the most room for interpretation but expect the regular suspects like Bergeron and Barkov to be named finalists and donât be surprised if Eriksson Ek, Lindholm and even Matthews are in the mix as well.
CALGARY, AB - APRIL 23: Darryl Sutter head coach of the Calgary Flames speaks to the media after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Saddledome on April 23, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
Jack Adams Award: Coach of the Year
Darryl Sutter (@thedudeyaknow)
Jack Adams goes to Dean Evason (@eddystros84)
This is award is voted on by members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association.
Darryl Sutter hockey is not the most exciting brand of hockey. It's a low-event game with a lot of cycling, checking and shooting the puck into the netting. But the grizzled cattle farmer from Viking, Alberta has proven that itâs still an effective brand of hockey and it works with a more modern-day personnel group.
The two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach has guided the Flames to a 111-point season and a Pacific Division title. Sure, the Pacific was a mess this season but the Flames never let any other team even make it a competition. A plus-87 goal differential shows how overpowering Calgaryâs powerful offense could be, and the Flames also excelled in special teams.
Sometimes the award ends up going to the coach of the team that best defied expectations, and Sutter's Flames squad did that. You could say they got some help from the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights, but to me, the goal differential speaks for itself.
The other coaches that meet that criteria are Hynes and Rangers bench boss Gerard Gallant. The Rangers were pegged as a playoff team but they've risen to become one of the Eastern Conference powers this season.
We can't mention this award and not discuss the job that Andrew Brunette has done down in Florida. Brunette was named the interim coach in October after Joel Quenneville resigned amid the fallout from the Kyle Beach case. The Panthers have gone 51-17-6 under Brunette and he helped keep things together at a time when they could have come undone.
Sure, Brunette had an elite roster to work and that roster got stronger at the trade deadline with additions like Claude Giroux and Ben Chiarot, but he did lose one of the best defensemen in the game in Aaron Ekblad for several games. The team's recent 13-game winning streak also bolsters his credentials.
Evason, the coach of the Wild, has done a great job this season and was rewarded for his recent success with a contract extension right before the New Year. But I think other coaches may have stronger cases.
SAINT PAUL, MN - MARCH 21: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin speaks at a press conference prior to the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Xcel Energy Center on March 21, 2022 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
Jim Gregory Award: General Manager of the Year
Jim Gregory to Bill Guerin (@eddystros84)
This award is decided by a 42-member panel that includes all 32 general managers, five NHL executives and five media members.
A team is only as good as its starting goaltender, and Guerin acquired a very good one this year in Fleury. The Fleury trade was arguably the biggest one made at the trade deadline, but there were other smaller moves made as well to add depth and toughness to the lineup.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury should not be overlooked for this award, either. The first-year GM made savvy moves for forwards Andrew Copp, Frank Vatrano and Tyler Motte (although Motte has been injured since early April) and defenseman Justin Braun that gave the Rangers a much deeper bottom-six and a stabilizing presence on the blue line.
Bill Zito in Florida, a 2021 finalist, should get consideration as well considering the remarkable season the Panthers had. However, while this roster was constructed by Zito, it was former general manager Dale Tallon that acquired many of the key players.
This has not dissuaded voters in the past. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has won the last two awards, and many of the players that reached the Eastern Conference Final in 2020 and the Stanley Cup semifinal round were acquired by the GM he succeeded, Garth Snow.
Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois has mastered the salary cap and Kyle Dubas (Toronto) and Don Waddell (Carolina) have constructed two top-tier teams, so I wouldn't be surprised to see any of their names when the finalists are announced.
