NHL Awards 2012: Date, Time, TV Schedule and Finalists

With the 2012 NHL playoffs in full swing, the fans of the sport are as into the action now as they have been all season. That’s why announcing the finalists for the awards now will make the fans care and tune in when they go live.

The full slate of playoff games ahead will appease the fans for now, but when it’s all said and done, the fans need to invest some time into the awards ceremony.

 

When: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Encore Theater at Wynn, Las Vegas, Nev.

Watch: NBC Sports Network—United States and CBC—Canada

 

NHL Awards Announcement Schedule

Thursday, April 26

Norris Trophy (top defenseman)

 

Friday, April 27

Hart Trophy (most valuable player to his team)

 

Monday, April 30

Jack Adams Award (top head coach)

NHL Foundation Award (community service)

 

Current Finalists

Calder Trophy (top rookie)—Adam Henrique, Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

With three very deserving stars in the Rookie of the Year chase, I have to lean toward No. 1 overall pick and Edmonton Oilers stud this season, RNH.

 

Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)—David Backes, Patrice Bergeron, Pavel Datsyuk

Until otherwise noted, Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk is a lock for this award. After winning three of the last four seasons, I think he ties the all-time record with his fourth Selke.

 

Lady Byng Trophy (skill/sportsmanship)—Brian Campbell, Jordan Eberle, Matt Moulson

With the rebirth of the Florida Panthers, defender Brian Campbell is the perfect face to put on this award in 2012. It makes sense to give the Panthers some sort of credit.

 

Masterton Trophy (perseverance, dedication)—Daniel Alfredsson, Joffrey Lupul, Max Pacioretty

After the neck injury that Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty suffered, there is no doubt that he should walk out of the 2012 NHL Awards show with the Masterton.

 

General Manager of the Year—Doug Armstrong, David Poile, Dale Tallon

This is the closest race of any of the awards this season so far, but it has to go to the highest seeded team in the playoffs: Doug Armstrong’s St. Louis Blues. A wild year of rebuilding is just part of a much bigger project that has been going on for years.

 

Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)—Henrik Lundqvist, Pekka Rinne, Jonathan Quick

While the popular pick has to be Henrik Lundqvist, I would put my money on the more talented Pekka Rinne. An amazing year in Nashville had more to do with who was in between the pipes than anything else.

 

Check back for more on the National Hockey League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NHL Page to get your fill of all things hockey.

Follow @Donald_Wood

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1160005-nhl-awards-2012-date-time-tv-schedule-and-finalists

Milwaukee Brewers New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants