The T.A.B.B. 2009 Playoff Awards

For all, the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs drew to a close of extremes. Either you loved every second of Sidney Crosby hoisting the Cup in Detroit due to your respect for the Pens captain or for your incredible disdain for Detroit's recent dominance over the NHL. On the other hand, you could have hated seeing the Pens capture the Cup due to your disliking of Crosby (much like myself) and the entire Pittsburgh Penguins team. Fact is, whether it was a bitter, sweet or a bittersweet ending to the playoffs, you can't say it wasn't entertaining. With another year in the books, it's time to hand out the non-conventional awards of the playoffs invented by yours truly.

The Worst Playoff Slogan: "The Beard is Back" - Detroit Red Wings.

- Like, really? "The Beard is Back"? The beard never left when you consider that Detroit hasn't missed the playoffs since the 1989-90 season. A word for the Detroit Red Wing P.R staff, do your research before making another dumb slogan.

The Best Playoff Slogan: "We Want It" - Boston Bruins.

- Okay, maybe I'm being a homer here. In all seriousness though, the simplicity is there and clear as day. The Bruins wanted it, the fans wanted it, ownership wanted it and the city of Boston wanted it. However, thanks to Scott Walker and the rest of the Carolina Hurricanes, they'll have to want it more next year, and so on and so forth until they get it.

The 'OMG' Moment: The Fall of Marty - New Jersey Devils Game 7

- On March 17th, Devils goaltender and President of the Sean Avery Haters Club Marty Brodeur passed Patrick Roy's NHL record of 551 wins with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite Brodeur's 15+ years of dismantling opponents, he simply couldn't hold off the Carolina Hurricanes in the closing minutes of Game 7. The Devils were penciling themselves in for a date with the Washington Capitals in the 2nd round when disaster struck. With just 1:20 left in the 3rd period, Jussi Jokinen struck again when he scored the game-tying goal. Then, the unthinkable happen when Eric Staal slipped one by the ten-time All-Star with just 32 seconds left in regulation to secure a win and advancement to the 2nd round for the 'Canes.

The Joe Thornton Award: Jeff Carter - Philadelphia Flyers.

- The Joe Thornton Award is given to the player who plays very strongly in the regular season but then disappears when the pressure's on. For this 'honor', the choice is simple: Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyer's sniper finished with a career high 46 goals, good for 2nd in the NHL behind Alexander Ovechkin. Then, when it came time for the Flyers to avenge their 2008 Conference Finals loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Flyers number one scoring threat was nowhere to be found. Carter finished with just 1 goal and a -2 in their 6 game series loss.

The Ulf Samuelsson Trophy: Scott Walker - Carolina Hurricanes.

- The Ulf Samuelsson Trophy, is an award intended for the cheap shot of the Playoffs. Now, close runner up honors for this "award" go to Donald Brashear's hit on Blair Betts and Michael Cammalleri's punch to the head of Martin Havlat, both notable cheap-shot's of the 1st round. However, the honor goes to Mr. Walker who's punch to Aaron Ward's face went unsuspended and inevitably put Scott in position to finish the Bruins season in Game 7's overtime period.

The All Guts Award: Mike Richards - Philadelphia Flyers, Sergei Gonchar - Pittsburgh Penguins and Phil Kessel - Boston Bruins.

- This award goes for the guys who put their physical pain aside and still were more than able to compete at a high level of play. Richards competed at a high level and registered 5 points in 6 games..in true captain fashion with two torn shoulders. Sergei Gonchar, injured in a questionable hit by Alexander Ovechkin missed just two games and was an offensive leader on the Penguins blueline with his 14 points in 22 games despite playing through a torn MCL in his knee. Phil Kessel, the Bruins best pure goal-scorer earns honors for this award with his strong post-season play through a torn rotator cuff and hip injury.

The Worst Playoff Beard: Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins and Jonathan Toews - Chicago Blackhawks.
- Alright, I know these guys are young but seriously? Crosby's pirate 'stache would leave even Captain Hook insulted. Toews, can we get some gravy with those 'chops? C'mon Peter Pans, get real...you guys looked like the 8th graders who forced facial hair upon themselves in feeble attempts to land the good looking girls.

The Best Playoff Beard: Erik Cole - Carolina Hurricanes

- Seriously, this guy had the thickest beard of anyone..even in the 2nd round. The dark-ness of the beard truly made the 'Canes winger a weirdo with a beard-o.

The Irony Award: Marian Hossa vs. Pittsburgh

- In all honesty, this was one of the reasons why I found myself rooting for the Penguins at times. I love the continuing torment of Marian Hossa by the Hockey God's above. The irony of Hossa's statement made upon signing with the Red Wings of "When I compared the two teams, I felt like I would have a little better of a chance to win the Cup in Detroit.". Oh, the irony.

The Player Who's Stock Doubled In The Playoffs Trophy: The Sedins - Vancouver Canucks

- Every one's presumed 2 for 1 deal continued their 2008-09 strong regular season play into the playoffs where they each registered 10 points in 10 games. The Swedish twins both proved themselves more than capable offensive weapons and were lethal on Vancouver's powerplay. Their estimated July 1st pay-day has undoubtedly increased with their strong performance. Whether the Sedins will end up moving to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or even Atlanta has yet to be determined.

The 'Who The Heck Is That?" Award: Jonas Hiller - Anaheim Ducks

- Undoubtedly, the biggest surprise of the 2009 Playoffs was the man in between the iron for the Anaheim Ducks, a 27-year old Swiss goaltender. Jonas Hiller, a career back-up to J.S Giguere was given the task of stopping the NHL-best San Jose Sharks, which he did. Then, Hiller was given the task of stopping the Detroit Red Wings, something he almost did. Overall, Hiller finished with a 7-5-1 record with a 2.23 GAA. His play has also put the Ducks in position to trade away Giguere and make room for Hiller to take over as the full-time starter in Anaheim.

Now come's the fun part, the NHL draft and the beginning of free agency are just weeks away.