GM of the Year

Hart Award:  Aaron Ekblad

Norris Award:  Adam Fox

Rocket Richard Award:  Leon Draisaitl

Lady Bing Award:  Nate Schmidt

Selke Award:  Seau Couturier

Vezina Award:  Marc-Andre Fleury

Calder Award:  Kirill Kaprizov

  It's time to vote for the last and most prestigeous of our fictional awards;   GM of the Year.  This award is presented to one GM from both conferences.  It is awarded to the GM(s) who most excelled in his position.  We're talking about online presence, articles, responding to trade offers and chatting about more than lunch. 

  To be fair, there is only one man who should get all of our votes this season and every season moving forward.  That man is Randy Blake.  Without Randy there is no league.  We cease to exist.  He is responsible for processing every sim and trade.  He has to read all the drivel posted so he can stay updated with endless rule change suggestions.  He has to put up with complaining and the stream of criticism he receives as he navigates us through the ups and downs of using a new portal.  When things go wrong he has to improvise.  When things go right we don't even notice.   League management had nothing to do with the GM award nominees this season but you can bet that if I had written out the list, you'd have the choice of voting for Randy and only Randy.  Both conferences!

  Now back to the award. 

GM of the year – Awarded to one GM from each conference.

Criteria to qualify:

League activity

Trades

Articles

Team performance

Agreeing with Chuck on Slack (this criteria was waived as a result of it being impossible)

Nominees: Western Conference

Rod – Chicago Blackhawks/Seattle Kraken.  The Hawks managed to improve their record, get into the playoffs and acquire an additional 13 picks.  Chicago goes into free agency with only one UFA and a brighter future thanks to Rodo and his 19 trades.  Whoever inherits the Blackhawks will benefit from the moves made by this GM and good luck to Rod in Seattle.

Patrick – Nashville Predators.  Last year the predators finished 24^th.  This season was looking like more of the same until a new vision for the team came to fruition.  Patrick made 12 trades and transformed his team from a middle of the pack loser to a scary team to play against in the playoffs.  The Preds almost made it to the Western Conference finals losing narrowly to the Oilers in game seven.

Steeeeeeeeve – Vegas Golden Knights.  All silliness aside, Steve took his team from 27^th to a playoff position this year.  His 38 trades are awe inspiring and a clear indication that he has no social life.  The Knights are not only set for the future, they are a force to be reckoned with today.  But Steve does so much more than run a successful team.  He works out details for the league, he figures out your protection list for expansion.   The guy literally answers all my messages.  That should win him the award right there.

Nominees: Eastern Conference

Remi – Montreal Canadiens.  The worst human being on the planet (after Steve) so don’t vote for me.

Nick – Carolina Hurricanes.  If anyone ever deserved your vote it’s the barely teenager who’s been beating you down all season.  The young GM finished the season with a 52-19-9 record and defeated his own father in a game seven playoff matchup.  I felt the tension from over 300km away.  Nick wasn’t very busy this season with only five trades but sometimes you need to stick with what works and so far it’s working.

Alex – New Jersey Devils.  The Devils managed only 16 wins in 2020 securing last place in the league.  Alex made a flurry of trades (24) and managed to drag the Devils from the depths of hell into near playoff contention finishing 17^th overall. He managed that in a very tough Eastern Conference. He was also very active and responsive which are qualities we seek in all our league members.  Watch out for Alex and the Devils for years to come.

  So there it is.  Our final award.  May we all strive to be on this list next season and help this league thrive.  Good luck to all in 2022-2023.