Calder and Bure Trophies

All three nominees are very deserving this year. Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture, and Michael Grabner all played exceptional in their first full NHL seasons. First off is our former winger Michael Grabner. He was shipped out in the Ballard trade this past summer and played 0 games for the Florida Panthers because they decided to try to have him clear waivers. Great move there, as the New York Islanders scooped him up. He just went on to score 34 Goals, added 18 Assists and was a plus 13 for the Islanders. No that was not a type-o, there was an Islander that was a plus this year.

The second Calder finalist is Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks. Logan played a great season netting 32 Goals, 24 Assists and was an impressive plus 18. He also played for one of the most high-powered offenses in the NHL. An offense that over the past decade has produced scorers like Marco Sturm, Milan Michalek, and Jonathan Cheechoo. Guys who leave the Sharks and never return to that production level, not even close in Cheechoo's case.I am not saying Couture won't be a good NHL player, but when you are playing in that system, your stats are a bit padded.

The third finalist is Carolina's Jeff Skinner. This kid has been on this Earth less time than I have been a Canucks fan, pretty impressive considering I am from Michigan. He scored 31 Goals, had 32 Assists, and was a plus 18...for the Carolina Hurricanes. This kid was about as impressive as any rookie in the last 10 years. He made an appearance in the All-Star Game, which was good idea by the NHL to include rookies. Skinner was almost must-see TV. That and he is 18 years old. 

This was a no-brainer after reviewing the stats. Grabner is a pure scorer, and I think he will continue his success. Logan Couture is very talented, and has size, but plays on a high-powered offensively minded team. Jeff Skinner plays on a team where the other best player was a Center. He did play some wing, but he created plays and scored, and is the youngest by 4 years. No contest.

I chose to go with the aptly names Pavel Bure Trophy, because there may have been better Canucks rookies, but none were ever as exciting. This was a tough one for the this year. The main finalists are Chris Tanev, Cody Hodgson, and Lee Sweatt. Sweatt played well on that dinged up blueline, as well as Yan Suave. They were rushed up quickly, but answered the call. 

My preference toward everything Cody Hodgson is no secret. I love the guy. He has made great leaps this year, more so on the physical side. He finally looks like an NHL player and honestly has looked pretty damn good in the playoffs as well. However, this award is for the regular season and Chris Tanev was the man. 

He played in 29 games, which I am guessing is about 28 more than the Canucks had planned. Although he only had one assist in those 29 games, he also had an even rating. Not bad for a guy who probably didn't think he would play too many games this season. He was a pleasant surprise on the Blueline and I think he gained some invaluable experience.