I was given word from the higher ups at Hockeybuzz that I'm to continue writing about the Blue Jackets until I'm told otherwise, so expect new content on a near daily basis.
Now that the Columbus Blue Jackets' most successful season in franchise history has come to a close, there's plenty of time to look back on the year that was.
In today's post I'm handing out most of the major awards to the Jackets player I feel is most deserving.
Art Ross: Ryan Johansen
Johansen took a huge step forward this season, going from a healthy scratch in the AHL to a borderline star in the NHL within a season. He led the team in points by a large margin, as he finished atop the Jackets with 63 points. James Wisniewski was 2nd with 51.
Hart Memorial Trophy: Ryan Johansen
Johansen did it all for the Jackets this season. He played against the toughest competition on the team, and continued to produce at a high rate on a consistent basis, as he led the team in goals, points and drove possession at even strength.
Vezina Trophy: Sergei Bobrovsky
Bobrovsky proved to be worth the money he was handed last off-season, as he won 32 games in 58 starts while posting a .923 save percentage, 2.38 goals against average and recording five shutouts. Curtis McElhinney was OK when Bobrovsky went down with injury, but his numbers were mediocre at best.
Calder Memorial Trophy: Ryan Murray Boone Jenner had a real nice season scoring 16 goals and driving possession, but defense is a harder position to play at a young age, and Murray was excellent this season. He didn't face great competition, and was spoon fed offensive zone starts by head coach Todd Richards, but he more than held his own on the ice, and chipped in offensively recording 21 points in just 66 games.
Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy: Ryan Johansen
Johansen led the team in goals, scoring 33 while playing in all 82 games this season. Artem Anisimov was 2nd on the team in that regard, scoring 22.
James Norris Memorial Trophy: James Wisniewski
Wisniewski didn't face overly tough competition - he played 3rd toughest minutes among Jackets D - and he sure made the most of it. Wisniewski recorded 51 points, and was the best possession player on the team driving play at a 54% rate, meaning 54% of all shot attempts while he was on the ice were taken by the Jackets. Frank J. Selke award: Brandon Dubinsky
Ryan Johansen played the toughest competition on the team, as opposing teams used their top guys to shut him down, but Dubinsky was clearly Todd Richards' designated shutdown center, as we also saw in the playoffs when he was matched up against Sidney Crosby. Dubinsky started over 33% of his shifts in the defensive zone, which was near the highest on the team, and still drove possession, while chipping in with 50 points.
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