Joe Sakic is widely considered the most respected player in the NHL, and tonight in Toronto, the Professional Hockey Writers Association might give him more recognition.
The Avalanche captain is the favorite to win the Lady Byng Trophy, given annually to the NHL player who best represents a mixture of superior ability and sportsmanlike conduct. He previously won it in 2001.
The writers’ group will crown a variety of award winners, including the Hart, Norris, Selke, Vezina and Calder recipients.
The Jack Adams Award, for coach of the year, will be presented by NHL broadcasters.
Avalanche center Paul Stastny is one of three finalists for the Calder, given to the league’s rookie of the year. Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin is the favorite to win it. The Avalanche has no other award finalists.
Sakic, who posted a 100-point season at age 37, is the second- oldest player in NHL history to do so, behind Gordie Howe. Sakic’s 16 seasons with 50 or more assists rank behind only Wayne Gretzky and Ron Francis.
Sakic won the Hart Trophy as NHL most valuable player in 2001, and Peter Forsberg won it with the Avalanche in 2003. Chris Drury won the Calder Trophy with the Avs in 1999. The team never has had a Vezina (best goalie) or Norris Trophy (top defenseman) winner.
The Selke Award goes to the best defensive forward.
Staff writer Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
