Joe Sakic is widely considered the most respected player in the NHL, and Thursday night in Toronto, the Professional Hockey Writers Association may 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.
The writers’ group will crown a variety of award winners, including the Hart, Norris, Selke, Vezina and Calder recipients. The Jack Adams Award, for NHL 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 posted a 100-point season at age 37, the second-oldest player in NHL history to do so, behind Gordie Howe. Sakic’s 16 seasons with 50 or more assists ranks 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 or Norris Trophy winner, given to the best goalie and defenseman respectively.
The Selke award goes to the best forward.
Staff writer Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
