It's that time of year for the New York Islanders. The last buzzer sounded 13 days ago. But Fischler's season never ends, and it's time for the annual distribution of The Maven's annual awards.
It's that time of year for the New York Islanders.
The last buzzer sounded 13 days ago.
But Fischler's season never ends, and it's time for the annual distribution of The Maven's annual awards.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: That's too easy for words, and the words are Ilya Sorokin. With some solid backup help from Semyon Varlamov, Sorokin carried his club through thick and thin. He may have been overworked at the end, but his game was nonpareil enough for Ilya to be in the running for a Vezina Trophy. Still, in his twenties, Sorokin is just approaching his prime.
Runner-up: Zach Parise. He didn't miss a game all season, never stopped hustling, and never stopped scoring.
LEADING GOAL AND POINT SCORER: Brock Nelson continued his ascent to elite status as an NHL attacker. Scoring the most goals and most points for his club is a nifty double-dip. All things considered, the Minnesotan was the most consistent of the team's forwards.
Runner-up: Mathew Barzal. Until his serious injury which effectively ended his regular season's work, the dipsy-doodle dandy was heading for a banner campaign. Mat's return for the playoffs was more dramatic than effective. He never quite regained mint condition, but it was a good try nonetheless.
BEST DEFENSEMAN: At the start of the season, last October, The Hockey News Yearbook rated Ryan Pulock the Isles best defenseman. He was one-two with his buddy Adam Pelech. Ryan retained the top position through a season in which Pelech was significantly sidelined with injury.
Runner-up: Noah Dobson: Although he had a real down season on defense this term, Dobson was the team's best offensive D-man and should not be completely chastised.
BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD: Jean-Gabriel Pageau: A master at face-offs and dependable as a penalty-killer, the solid French-Canadian always was on the ice for the hardest matchups and invariably was up for the task. J.G.'s smarts outweighed his size.
Runner-up. Casey Cizikas. On any given night -- or day -- Double C was as effective as Pageau. There never were any off-nights for the hustler who never shied away from sacrificing his body for his team, both in the regular season and playoffs.
BEST Newcomer: Hudson Fasching. Unlisted on the Islanders pre-season roster and not even mentioned among the club's Top Ten Prospects, Fasching came in from out of the blue when coach Lane Lambert needed injury replacements. In no time at all, he became a key contributor on offense -- scoring big goals -- but also was a solid checker in the John Tonelli tradition.
Runner-up: Simon Holmstrom. The right wing who was nurtured in Bridgeport proved to be an elite skater with plenty of upside. He should make the club next season.