In hockey betting, the Stanley Cup is a special trophy, known in many sports bettor circles as the most recognizable in sports. In no sport is a trophy more closely tied to victory; can you name the World Series trophy or NBA Finals trophy? Didn’t think so. It’s fitting, then, that NHL also seems to be the only sport with famous trophies for each individual award. Let’s preview the NHL Awards. They take place this June in Vegas. Think Rick Tocchet and Janet Gretzky will go?

CALDER TROPHY (Rookie of the Year)
Nominees (Announced April 22): Steve Mason, Bobby Ryan, Kris Veersteg

With respect to Ryan and Veersteg’s solid rookie campaigns, the fact that Mason is getting serious Vezina and Hart consideration should virtually guarantee this award for him. He deserves it, as he was the first rookie goalie since Tony Esposito (!) to lead the NHL in shutouts. Mason had 10, by the way.

Online betting pick: Steve Mason

NORRIS TROPHY (Best Defenseman)
Nominees (Announced April 23): Zdeno Chara, Mike Green, Nicklas Lidstrom

Hockey betting legend Nicklas Lidstrom owns this award, having won it six of the last seven years, but I can’t remember a tighter race than this year’s. Lidstrom is steady as can be, but Mike Green had one of the best offensive seasons by a defenseman in the last two decades, notching 31 goals. My money is on the hulking Chara, though. He’s the true leader of the Bruins and has improved his skating, shooting and passing so much in the last five years that they now rival his outstanding defensive game. It’s his turn.

Online betting pick: Zdeno Chara

SELKE TROPHY (Best Defensive Forward)

Unlike (hopefully) the Kentucky Derby odds, this is probably a two-horse race, with the same two horses as last year – Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg – leading the charge. I think it’s Datsyuk’s turn to get it; few players are as revered by his peers as this guy. Mike Richards and David Krejci are in the mix too. It would also be nice to see Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler get a nomination.

Online betting pick: Pavel Datsyuk

VEZINA TROPHY (Best goaltender)

Some online betting fans think Roberto Luongo is good enough to warrant consideration even in a shortened season, but this looks like a Steve Mason-versus-Tim Thomas battle. Interestingly enough, while Mason was probably the most valuable goalie, Thomas was probably the best, leading the NHL in goals against average and save percentage. The NHL will give the former minor-league journeyman his due this season.

Online betting pick: Tim Thomas

JACK ADAMS AWARD (Best coach)

This is typically one of the toughest puck betting awards to predict. Do you give it to the best coach on the best team or the guy who leads the biggest turnaround?

Based on turnaround operations, Dan Bylsma in Pittsburgh worked miracles, as did Joel Quenneville in Chicago. The Sharks flourished under Todd McLellan but were already a good team, so my pick for this award goes to Claude Julien, who had almost the same team as last year and guided it from a No. 8 Stanley Cup odds seed to a No. 1.

Online betting pick: Claude Julien

HART TROPHY (Most Valuable Player)

I think Steve Mason deserves this award – where would Columbus be without him? – but I wouldn’t bet on him at the offshore sportsbook. The Hart is Alexander Ovechkin’s award to lose once again, and Evgeni Malkin should be right behind him for the second straight season. Zach Parise and maybe even Datsyuk could get nominations, but Alexander the GR8 remains the best and, probably, most valuable hockey player on the planet.

Online betting pick: Alexander Ovechkin