2016 NHL Awards

“I Just Try to Do My Best”: Barry Trotz on his NHL Awards Suit

Photo: Bruce Bennett

Washington Capitals goaltender and Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby rocked a stunning John Varvatos number to the 2016 NHL Awards on Wednesday, noting that he enjoyed the “rock and roll” motif of his new suit. Caps video coach Brett Leonhardt appeared wearing socks with Barry Trotz‘s face on them to go along with a fancy tuxedo. When Trotz, who won the Jack Adams, appeared on the red carpet, he was also wearing new attire, ditching his usual black for a fresh blue suit with narrow pinstripes.

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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Capitals Video Coach Brett Leonhardt Wore Barry Trotz Themed Socks at NHL Awards

Photo: Chris Gordon

Brett “Stretch” Leonhardt (he’s tall) has lived an eventful hockey life. Originally a producer and videographer for the Capitals’ website — and occasional Verizon Center DJ — he became known throughout the hockey world when he served as an emergency goaltender for a game in December 2008.

After Jose Theodore injured himself during a pregame skate, Stretch signed an amateur tryout agreement before the Caps faced the Ottawa Senators. Leonhardt later left DC for a job in the NHL’s war room in Toronto before coming back as Washington’s video coach in 2012. In 2013, Leonhardt, a former junior hockey and NCAA Division III goaltender, once again served as a backup, preforming his usual video editing duties during the intermissions.

Now, he’s added a notch in his storied career: wearer of absurd Barry Trotz themed socks.

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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NHL Awards: Evgeny Kuznetsov Received Votes For Hart and Lady Byng Trophies

Photo: Drew Hallowell

In his second full season in the NHL, Evgeny Kuznetsov broke out. The 24-year-old center tallied 20 goals for the first time in his career and led the league in primary assists. He also led the President’s Trophy winning Capitals with 77 points, becoming the first player not named Ovechkin or Backstrom to accomplish that feat in a decade.

Kuznetsov’s big season was not lost on voters. The Chelyabinsk native received one fourth place and one fifth place vote for the Hart Trophy as league MVP. Kuznetsov was one of 23 NHL players to receive a vote.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Braden Holtby Decided to Wing His Vezina Trophy Acceptance Speech: It Was Fantastic

Photo: Ethan Miller

Wednesday night in Las Vegas, Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby won the 2016 Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender. Holtby became the third Capital all-time to earn the accolade joining Jim Carey and Olie Kolzig in the history books.

Holtby kissed his wife Brandi and was kissed on the cheek by his mother Tami when he was announced as winner.

Six-time Vezina winner and 2014 Hall of Fame inductee Dominik Hasek presented Holtby the trophy on stage along with Kevin Weekes.

At the very beginning of his acceptance speech, a noticeably nervous Holtby admitted that he ignored his wife’s recommendation to write his thoughts down on a piece of paper.

But that didn’t matter. Holtby dominated the speech just like he did to every NHL team this season.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Braden Holtby Wins the 2016 Vezina Trophy as Goaltender of the Year

Photo: Bruce Bennett

It was more of a coronation than a surprise. At the 2016 NHL Awards here at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, a dapper Braden Holtby strode up on stage to receive the Vezina Trophy as “the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position” in the 2015-16 regular-season by the league’s general managers. He beat out fellow finalists Ben Bishop (35-21-4, 2.06 goals-against average, .926 save percentage) and Jonathan Quick (40-23-5, 2.22 goals-against average, .916 save percentage).

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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Barry Trotz Wins Jack Adams as Coach of the Year

Photo: Bruce Bennett

When Barry Trotz took over as the head coach of the Washington Capitals the summer 2014, the team was in disarray, with a myriad of self-inflected wounds from the tenure of Adam Oates, who was soon run out of town.

Just two years later, Trotz led the Caps to a 56 wins, the most in franchise history, as the team captured its second Presidents’ Trophy. Now he’s won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year as voted on the league’s broadcasts, picking up the trophy at the NHL Awards Show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino here in Las Vegas.

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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Braden Holtby Fries Will Arnett During Awkward NHL Awards Interview

Before Braden was given the award (and before X-Ambassadors butt rocked your butt face off), Holtby was subjected to a grilling by host Will Arnett.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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NHL Awards: Brian MacLellan Finishes Second in General Manager of the Year Voting

After landing TJ Oshie and Justin Williams and re-signing Braden Holtby during the summer, General Manager Brian MacLellan watched his Capitals win a franchise record 56 games during the regular season. The Caps became the tenth team in NHL history to accumulate 56 wins or more. Alex Ovechkin led the league in goals. Braden Holtby tied Martin Brodeur for most wins in NHL history.

In May, MacLellan was named a finalist for the NHL General Manager Of The Year award. Ovechkin (Richard, Messier), Holtby (Vezina, Lindsay), and Barry Trotz (Adams) were as well.

Tonight in Las Vegas we learned MacLellan did not win. Mac finished a distant second to Penguins’ General Manager Jim Rutherford.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Rocket Richard Winner Alex Ovechkin Will Not Attend the 2016 NHL Awards

Ovechkin poses with the Rocket Richard Trophy, which he won again this year, at the 2014 NHL Awards. (Photo: Harry How)

The Washington Capitals had a domineering regular season in 2015-16, running away with the Presidents’ Trophy by 11 points. On Wednesday evening in Las Vegas, their personal feats from this past season will be honored. Well… most of them.

One Caps player already has hardware locked up: Alex Ovechkin, who won the Richard Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer. It was his third straight 50-goal season. But there will be no crazy blue suits on the red carpet this year. Ovechkin will not be in Las Vegas to claim his prize.

“Alex will not be attending the Awards this year,” a Capitals spokesperson said in an email to RMNB, declining to elaborate further. A spokesperson for the NHL also confirmed Ovechkin’s absence.

Ovechkin is also a finalist for the Mark Messier Leadership Award for the work he did for the American Special Hockey Association. Let’s assume he’s not going to win that one, lest the Awards become even more awkward.

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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NHL Awards: Braden Holtby Shops for Perfect Red Carpet Suit (Photos)

Photo: Capitals

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby arrived in Las Vegas today to prepare for the NHL Awards where he is the odds-on favorite to win the Vezina Trophy. Holtby spent the afternoon doing ~~a marketing event~~ red carpet prep, visiting John Vavartos to pick out the suit he will wear during one of the biggest moments of his career.

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By Rachel Cohen 7 years ago

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