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Flyers Takeaways: NHL Award Ceremony

By Colin Newby

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights blocks a Philadelphia Flyers' shot in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 04, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Flyers defeated the Golden Knights 5-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights blocks a Philadelphia Flyers' shot in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 04, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Flyers defeated the Golden Knights 5-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The NHL held its virtual award ceremony on Tuesday night. Flyers winger Oskar Lindblom had already been announced as the recipient of the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Last year’s ceremony highlight for Flyers fans was the announcement of center Sean Couturier as the winner of the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward for the 2019-20 season, but no Flyers in addition to Lindblom were nominated this year.

Despite the minimal participation, five of the remaining 14 award winners were names with notable historical ties and significant impact on the future of the Flyers.

Vezina Trophy- Marc-Andre Fleury

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was named the Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s best goalie. Fleury stood between the pipes for the Pittsburgh Penguins during his first 13 NHL seasons, the period of time that truly solidified them as the arch-rival of the Flyers.

The image of Fleury in a Penguins sweater will never be erased from the minds of some Flyers fans. He has, however, put up a better collective save percentage and goals against average in Vegas than in Pittsburgh.

Norris Trophy- Adam Fox

This one stings. The Flyers are exploring options to acquire a top-pair defenseman while the New York Rangers celebrate 23-year-old Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox.

Fox torched the Flyers on March 25 with five assists in an 8-3 beatdown by the Rangers. He finished with five goals and 42 assists in 2020-21. Expect to hear his name frequently in future Metropolitan Division matchups.

Jack Adams Award- Rod Brind’Amour

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour is the Jack Adams winner as coach of the year. Brind’Amour played 633 games over nine seasons with the Flyers. He was a vital part of the core during the Eric Lindros era in Philadelphia before being traded for center Keith Primeau in 2000. “Rod the Bod” has earned a spotless reputation around the NHL, and Flyers fans should be unquestionably happy for his accomplishment.

Selke Trophy- Aleksander Barkov

Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov dethroned Couturier as the Selke winner, which is more frequently given to the best two-way forward rather than simply a defensive specialist. Nobody can make a legitimate case that a member of the 2020-21 Flyers deserved to win an award recognizing great defense.

Jim Gregory Award-  Lou Lamiorello

The New York Islanders continued to stifle teams with superior talent and reached the NHL Semifinal round this year. Their architect, Lou Lamiorello, was given the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.  The Flyers saw New York’s pesky style up close during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they’ll deal with the same headaches next season when Metropolitan Division play resumes.

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