The Unconnected Red Wings Blog’s Mid-Season Awards

Well, the Wings have played 41 games, putting us at the halfway point of the season. It’s time for us to hand out some mid-season awards on the Unconnected Red Wings Blog.

Anthony’s Awards
Selke Trophy: Valtteri Filppula
I was wavering between Filppula and Pavel Datsyuk on this one. Before Filppula was hurt, he was the best performing forward on the Wings. Now that he’s back, he’s just showing us more and more why he’s such a major piece of this team.
Runner-Up: Pavel Datsyuk

Calder Trophy: Jimmy Howard
The Wings actually have a few rookies to choose from this season. That doesn’t happen much in Detroit lately. I chose Jimmy Howard because he has given solid, consistent goaltending since he’s essentially taken over the starting job from Chris Osgood. It’s very difficult to unseat a veteran from his starting position, and it’s even more difficult to put up the numbers Howard has with such an injured team.
Runner-Up: Jonathan “Big Rig” Ericsson

Norris Trophy: Brad Stuart
Brad Stuart has been the most solid, consistent defenseman all season. He BARELY edged out Nicklas Lidstrom in my mind. I do think, though, that in the second half of the season, Lidstrom will take over the title of the most solid, consistent defenseman on the team. He’s just too good.
Runner-Up: Nicklas Lidstrom

Biggest Surprise: Todd Bertuzzi
Bert started the season in the dog house for us here at the UCRWB. All the sudden, Todd Bertuzzi started burying the puck, and he’s kept it up. I was surprised that he did that, so, he’s the Surprise Player for this half of the season.
Runner-Up: Justin Abdelkader

Hart Trophy: Jimmy Howard
Jimmy Howard has been the man. He has kept the low-scoring Wings in just about every game he’s started. That’s not too shabby for a rookie, and it is extremely important for a team that’s hurting for goals. Keep it up, Jimmy. We might just see you between the pipes in Game 1.
Runner-Up: Henrik Zetterberg

Lady Byng: Pavel Datsyuk
See Double Zero’s reasoning.

Player I Have Forgotten Is A Red Wing: Sergei Kolosov
It seems unfair to pick a prospect, but where the hell did his mean streak go? He only has 8 PIMs in 33 games. I wish the AHL kept track of hits so I could see if he’s still doing that, at least.

Tough SOB Award: Brad May
I picked the fighter. I know, too obvious. Sorry.

Double Zero’s Awards
Selke Trophy: Darren Helm
More often than not it seems like when a big defensive play is made it is Helmer that is making it. Most recently against the Coyotes he saved at least 2 goals that Howard could not have made a save on (I say at least because the Thrasher vs Ilses game was too awesome to not watch).
Runner-Up: Henrik Zetterberg

Calder Trophy: Jimmy Howard
There is no one else who even challenges him for this. Ozzy hasn’t been himself so far this year and Jimmy is taking advantage of the situation. The wings are back in the playoff hunt thanks to Jimmy’s solid play. And some of the saves he has been making…holy hell, Batman.
Runner-Up: Reread the first sentence of this section.

Norris Trophy: Brad Stuart
No defenseman has done the work Brad has this season, and no one has matched his level of play. He is playing in every situation and very rarely is he not getting the job done. I can’t think of any other word to describe his play this year other than “fantastic”
Runner-Up: Nicklas Lidstrom due to the fact he is not posting his usual absurd numbers.

Biggest Surprise: Drew Miller
The waiver claim of little note has shown flashes of a highly skilled player in both ends of the rink. He isn’t putting up crazy numbers or anything, but I don’t think anyone could have expected him to make some of the plays he has made. Waiver pick up of the year if I dare say so – WHICH I DO.
Runner-Up: Tomas Holmstrom leading the team in goals

Hart Trophy: Henrik Zetterberg
He was the guy who carried the team through the worst patch of the injury &%$# storm before that storm claimed him as well. The guy is one of the best offensive players, one of the best defensive players, plays every situation, doesn’t matter who you put him with and he produces. The guy is the freaking man. I salute you, Sir.
Runner-Up: Jimmy Howard

Lady Byng: Pavel Datsyuk
Was there any doubt?

Player I Have Forgotten Is A Red Wing: Jason Williams
Didn’t do much before getting hurt, and since he has been hurt I have forgotten (on several occasions) that he is on the team.

Tough SOB Award: Johan Franzen
He “hurt” his knee but decided to play out the game and I think he scored the game winning goal. Mentions his knee hurts and gets some tests and he has an injury that is going to keep him out for months. Chuck Norris had never felt jealousy until that moment.

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images North America)