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2008-09 Nhl Playoffs Slated to be as Exciting as Ever

Since as far back as 1893, professional hockey teams have been competing for the prestigious NHL Stanley Cup trophy, awarded to the winner of the NHL playoffs. The cup itself, is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, partly due to the fact that unlike other professional leagues, the NHL does not create a new trophy year after year, but instead hands the same one down. For this reason, the cup has been extended in size on many occasions, to make room for the engraved names of many new Stanley Cup Champion players and teams. Some of the NHL’s most well known legends, including Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe, Maurice Richard and Wayne Gretzkey, all have their names engraved on the cup; some more than once.

Over the years, as the Stanley Cup grew into a massive and over 100 year-old trophy, it became not only the pride of the NHL, but also a symbol for the rich history and culture of hockey in North America in general. Every Canadian and American hockey player dreams of one day winning the cup and it is this drive and determination to be included in the NHL’s legacy, which makes playoff hockey some of the most action-packed and exciting in all of professional sports. Over the years, many legends and legacies have been set in stone, during the Stanley Cup finals.

As the 2008-09 NHL regular season approaches its end, the excitement and anticipation of the 2009 NHL playoffs begins to peak. Last year, the Detroit Red Wings won their 11th Stanley Cup in franchise history, after a grueling 3-2 victory over rookie phenom Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins, in the sixth game of the series. In the 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Penguins will look to put this heartbreaking loss behind them and bring the cup home to Pittsburgh, while Detroit will look to keep the cup at home for a consecutive year. It won’t be easy for either team, however, as top contenders during the regular season, will all look to beat both of these teams and steal the cup for themselves. Some of this year’s top contenders include the San Jose Sharks, the Boston Bruins, the New York Rangers, the Washington Capitals, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Montreal Canadiens, the Vancouver Canucks, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks.

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NHL - Finalists Chosen for the Rookie of the Year Trophy

April 22, 2009 – The finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy were announced this Wednesday. The trophy is given every season to the year’s most outstanding rookie, a long tradition that began with NHL President Frank Calder over 60 years ago. This year’s finalists are Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks, and Kirk Versteeg of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Last year’s trophy went to Blackhawks player Patrick Kane, who, with 72 points and an astonishing 51 assists, beat out teammate Jonathan Toews as well as Nicklas Bäckström of the Washington Capitals.

The three finalists for this year’s trophy have all brought talent to the NHL in their first year as professionals. But of the three, who is the most likely to win? Take a look at the contestants.

Steven Mason

Let’s face it: the guy has proven a priceless addition to the Blue Jackets. The team’s entry into the postseason for the first time in the franchise’s history can be attributed to Mason. In 2006, he was picked in the third round; by 2008-09, Mason led the League with 10 shut outs, while other contenders battled for second place with a mere 6.

Netminding fell on Mason’s not-so-tender young shoulders when former Columbus goaltender Pasqual Leclaire stunned his teammates an underwhelming 3.83 GAA and a .867 save percentage. Mason took up the burden nicely. In the 2008-09 season, he was second in the League with a GAA of 2.19 and seventh with a save percentage of .916. He has also been the reason that Columbus has allowed the 9th fewest number of goals this season.

Now he has the opportunity to do something only four other goaltenders have done in the last quarter-century: gain the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Bobby Ryan

Mason may have skill, but Ryan, in addition to skill, has a story. Several stories, in fact. In his childhood home, his father once badly assaulted his mother and, as a result, faced a brief stint in prison. In his career, Ryan suffered through the Ducks’ seemingly capricious decision-making: after the Ducks chose him second overall in the 2005 draft, Ryan was moved back and forth between the Ducks and their AHL affiliates during the next two seasons.

Somebody give this guy a break.

But perhaps he doesn’t need one; his talent speaks for itself. He has a much-sought-after combination of size and skill that translates into scoring plays. So when he joined the Ducks this season, he made a big difference. With only 64 games under his belt this season, he leads all rookie scorers with 31 goals and 57 points. On March 22, 2009, he beat out Dustin Penner’s rookie point record for the franchise when he made 2 assists, gaining his 46th point. He, along with the Corey Perry / Ryan Getzlaf line, has helped move the Ducks into the postseason this year.

Kirk Versteeg

The Blackhawks have a chance to gain the Calder Memorial Trophy twice in a row with finalist Kirk Versteeg. Versteeg was a fifth-round choice for the Bruins, but has shown his skills this season. He is a fast forward with incredible skill, pushing for the net and moving easily through traffic. He has proven himself dangerous on the ice.

With 22-31-53, he is fourth on the Blackhawks for scoring and fifth in goals; he tied with Billy Gardener in the franchise’s record for short-handed goals, and tied for third in the NHL with seven short-handed goals. He was named to the NHL’s Young Star Games in January of this year, although, due to an injury, did not play in the event.

Importantly, he beat out all rookies in the League this year with 31 assists, and, with 53 points, is second only to Ryan.

Although Versteeg presents a formidable opponent, Mason and Ryan have received most of the attention this season. Mason, in particular, has been singled out for the award since the beginning of the season. The award will be given out at the NHL awards ceremony on June 18, in Las Vegas.

About the Author

Cindy Ferguson is a high-ranking sports writer, currently writing reviews on the NHL for the sports betting industry. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, making sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.