Blue Jackets Re-Sign Nicholas Drazenovic to One-Year Deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed center Nicholas Drazenovic to a one-year contract extension, which will be a two-way deal for next season.  The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.  He would have been eligible for group six unrestricted free agency this summer.  In 41 games this past season with Springfield of the AHL, he had 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points.  He last appeared in an NHL game during the 2010-11 season with the St. Louis Blues.  This is really just a depth signing for the Blue Jackets, as Drazenovic will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Hurricanes Sign Jiri Tlusty to Two-Year Extension

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed left wing Jiri Tlusty to a two-year contract extension worth $3.2 million.  The deal will pay him $1.5 million in 2012-13 and $1.7 million in 2013-14.  He would have been a restricted free agent this summer.  In 79 games this past season, he had 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points, career highs in all three categories.  Not a bad depth move for the Hurricanes, as Tlusty is a good playmaker and is versatile enough to play on both wings despite being very inconsistent in his scoring.  If Tlusty can produce numbers over the next two season like he did this past season, then his salary will be a bargain for Carolina.

2012 NHL Award Nominees & Winners

Here is a list of the NHL players who will be up for awards for the 2011-2012 season. The NHL Awards Ceremony will take place on June 20 in Las Vegas. The finalists for each trophy will be listed as the NHL announces them in the coming weeks. The winners of each award will be in bold and italics.


PLAYER AWARDS

ART ROSS TROPHY - Top Point Scorer
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins - 109 points

MAURICE "ROCKET" RICHARD TROPHY - Top Goal Scorer
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning - 60 goals

WILLIAM M. JENNINGS TROPHY - Fewest Goals Allowed
Brian Elliott & Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis Blues - 165 goals allowed

VEZINA TROPHY - Top Goaltender
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

FRANK J. SELKE TROPHY - Top Defensive Forward
David Backes, St. Louis Blues
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY - Skill/Sportsmanship
Brian Campbell, Florida Panthers
Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers
Matt Moulson, New York Islanders

CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY - Top Rookie
Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers

JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY - Top Defenseman
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators

BILL MASTERTON MEMORIAL TROPHY - Perseverance & Dedication to Hockey
Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators
Joffrey Lupul, Toronto Maple Leafs
Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens

NHL FOUNDATION PLAYER AWARD - Contributions to Charitable Causes
Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators
John-Michael Liles, Toronto Maple Leafs
Matt Moulson, New York Islanders

JACK ADAMS AWARD - Top Head Coach
Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues
Paul MacLean, Ottawa Senators
John Tortorella, New York Rangers

HART MEMORIAL TROPHY - League MVP
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

TED LINDSAY AWARD - MVP Voted by the NHLPA
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD - Top General Manager
Doug Armstrong, St. Louis Blues
David Poile, Nashville Predators
Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers

MARK MESSIER LEADERSHIP AWARD - Top Leader in Hockey
Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings
Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

KING CLANCY TROPHY - Humanitarian Contribution to Hockey
Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators

CONN SMYTHE TROPHY - Playoff MVP
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings


TEAM AWARDS

PRESIDENTS TROPHY - Top Team Based on Points
Vancouver Canucks - 111 Pts.

PRINCE OF WALES TROPHY - Eastern Conference Champions
New Jersey Devils

CLARENCE S. CAMPBELL TROPHY - Western Conference Champions
Los Angeles Kings

STANLEY CUP - League Champions
Los Angeles Kings


NHL FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins
Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils

NHL SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers
Ray Whitney, Phoenix Coyotes

NHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Jhonas Enroth, Buffalo Sabres
Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes
Jake Gardiner, Toronto Maple Leafs
Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers