The big award show recap and other news

First of all, since I live in a tv free zone, thanks to my super super bud, aka my partner in crime in these parts for hooking me up with a streaming feed of the awards show in the first place so I could actually SEE the damn thing.

Secondly, if you are looking to fill dead time in the middle of the award show, instead of trotting out bands for a crappy tune or a mediocre bumping and grinding circus act (that alone was tres disappointing) or the gold v silver ducks clip, how about, oh I don't know, allowing the players to actually get more than a "gee, this was unexpected" and let them thank the people who got them there? It's a disgrace that the league thinks people need such entertainment. Maybe, JUST MAYBE, people tune in to see the players out of uniform and being their gracious and humble self (exception noted below). I did however dig Michael Rosenbaum (who looks nice with hair on his cue ball head) busting out the Zarley Zalapski reference.

Thirdly, how about instead of actors we don't care about and comedians who are not funny, lets have former players (other than Lucky Luc and the original Flower) hand out awards. Get Cam Neely out there. Bobby freaking Orr for Pete sake. Yeah, and like I said, give the players more than 30 seconds to accept and thank everyone in their past.

Fourthly, someone REALLY needs to tell Patrick Kane to look with your eyes and nto your hands. Could he look any more foolish?

Now, on to the actual awards

Calder: I had a buddy pulling for Matty Duchene but I'm pleased that Tyler Myers won it. I got to see a lot of his big ol' body playing for the slugs this past season and man, he was really stinkin' good. I think there is a reason he won it running away (and no, I don't think a west coast bias was in play either)

Selke: Say what you will, but there are not many forwards who play better defense than Pavel Datsyuk. If you doubt it, watch him in a game. There are times when he's not on the score board, but paying attention you'll know he controlled the game. Plus I think Kessler is a giant douchebag (Sorry Amy. Just saying it like it is).

Adams: Not a real shocker here honestly. Yes, all were very qualified to win the award, but Tippett totally turned a wayward team around making the Yotes a playoff team. Hats off to him (and also to Shane Doan for his awesome plug to the free agents out there and the Army bit was sorta nifty too).

Norris: All I can say is thank the gods above that Mike Green didn't win. I blame his association with the cavemen but I digress. I think that when you play on a run and gun team you really shouldn't be up for the best defensemen. Now if your team averages 1.2 goals a game and you are still a winning team, Norris votes SHOULD go your way. Green is not that awesome of a defenseman. Would I take him on my team? Sure, but I'd pair him with someone who could back up his ill timed pinches and flubbings of play.

Masterton: I don't know if this award can hit home until much later for most winners. You're praised for getting through something generally tragic and devastating in your life. Kudos to Jose Theodore for keeping it together for his acceptance speech. I know I didn't.

Now my favorite Vezina: Crunchy ruled the day. And rightfully so. Sure Marty had better numbers, but you take Marty out of the Devils line up and you still have a pretty good team. You take Miller out of the Sabres? You have a team trying to figure out if they want Taylor or Tyler. I think Tippet winning the Adams screwed Bryzgalov.

The Ted Lindsay award: I think it's about time the league did an award name change. And to honor Terrible Ted with this award just makes sense. Without him, there would be no 8 and 9 million dollar contracts. I'm just sorry Ovechkin won it.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a fan of Ovies. Period. I think he's a hot dog and show off and generally a fucknut who doesn't deserve the attention he gets. Is he talented? Of course he is. Ten of me don't match up to the talent he's got in his eye lid, but that's not what I'm talking about. I grew up watching guys like Stevie Yzerman and Joe Sakic. Those are the models I look to for how a hockey player should act. Ovie spits in the face of that image. Deeming yourself so important that you don't exit the stage like you're supposed to to get out your thanks even after the show went on is just annoying. Plus wear a damn tie. Maybe it's because of the work I do or maybe I'm just nuts, but I'd like to live in a world were composure and grace mean something. Apparently, nhl players don't agree.

Hart: Not to take anything from Henrik Sedin and his fine season, but I don't think he should have won. Call me a homer or call me anti-Canucks I don't really care. Sid had my vote all the way on this one. Pft, going into why is pointless at this time but still, I stick with my belief.

So much for the gala event.

Now for something completely different.

As seen on a headline (I just can't remember where) Let the dismantling of the cup champs begin. Who saw this one coming so soon? Dustin Byfuglien to Atlanta? Enjoy the heat Dustin. That's about all you can look forward to.

The Sharks, while letting their goal tender Nabby out to pasture (should have kept Kipper I guess)...they signed PattyMarleau and Joe Pavelski. A small part of me wanted to see Marleau leave SJ because I think no matter what they do in the playoffs (wait, what?) he will take the blame. Now that Rob Blake has retired, what will that team do? Give Barfight Joe Thornton the C? Not bloody likely. I'm thinking Boyle.

I really want training camps to open tomorrow.

I finally joined the rest of the western world (or so it would seem) and got a stupid Twitter account. But really, it's only for one thing and one thing only: July 1.

Hey that killed some serious time. I should go forth now and be productive or something.