Las Vegas NHL blog, part I.

Welcome to Las Vegas, where Ducks forward Bobby Ryan has bet against himself to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.

Ryan said this afternoon that he and Chicago Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg both wagered on Columbus goaltender Steve Mason, who is the odds-on favorite to be presented the award here at the Palms Hotel and Casino.


“I think everybody feels the same,” Ryan said. “It’s going to be Steve after the year he had.”

All the awards, from the Hart (MVP) to the nonpareil Lady Byng (“most gentlemanly play”) will be handed out starting at 4:30 p.m. The NHL agreed to move the ceremony to the Palms for the next three years — quite a change of scenery from the previous host city, Toronto. Driving through a desert and following a red carpet rarely lead you to hockey players. Even Ryan was somewhat in awe of the whole spectacle.

“It’s a little surreal still,” he said. “It’s nice to be in this company and get to know these guys a little bit.”

Ryan had a breakout season for the Ducks, leading all NHL rookies in goals (31) and points (57). Versteeg led all rookies in assists (31) and short-handed goals (4), and played an integral role in the Blackhawks’ run to the Western Conference finals. But Mason, at age 20, posted the best season by a goaltender in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ young history. He was second in the league in goals-against average (2.29) and is also a candidate for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender.

The ceremony will be carried live on Versus.
This entry was posted in Anaheim Ducks/NHL by J.P. Hoornstra. Bookmark the permalink.

About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.

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