NHL Awards show takes center stage on Wednesday at the Pearl

By Ryan Greene

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 | 2:15 a.m.

Last June, Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Kesler ventured to Las Vegas simply as a finalist for the Frank J. Selke trophy, given annually to the NHL's top forward based on defensive play.

This year, Kesler is back as the Pearl Theater at the Palms today will be home to the NHL Awards ceremony for the second consecutive summer.

Again, Kesler is one of three finalists for the award, but this year, he was used by the league as an ambassador of sorts for the awards show.

He was in Las Vegas last month promoting the ceremony, which is being held on American soil for just the second time. He's not just giving lip service, either, when he says that the event should be a Vegas mainstay.

It will be held again in Las Vegas next year, but locations beyond that have not yet been determined.

"Everybody that I talked to liked coming here ... for a couple of days, at least," he said with a grin. "Things are being run a lot more smooth, and this is the second go at it. The first year was great. This year, they've got bigger names coming, and it looks like it'll be even better."

Kesler also offered up a little bit of advice to fellow NHLers who are making their inaugural trips to Las Vegas.

"Pace yourself," he said, again cracking a smile.

One NHL headliner making his first trip to the awards ceremony in Vegas is Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, who earned an Olympic silver medal with Team USA in February.

Even with no NHL teams located within roughly a five-hour drive of town, Miller agrees that the city's reputation alone makes it a win for the league.

"The league's trying to put the image out there that it's a fun sport," he said. "Vegas is about the hype. A lot of big-name people can come here to play, and I think they're trying to line it up that we have some high-profile athletes — some of the best in the world."

Miller drove into town from Los Angeles late Monday night and spent his Tuesday afternoon lounging by the pool at the Palms. After his media responsibilities in the evening, he was planning on taking in a performance of Ka at MGM Grand.

Miller is one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, which honors the league's top goalie.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith also is looking forward to the relaxing opportunities Vegas has to offer.

Keith gained national attention during this season's Stanley Cup Playoffs when he took a puck in the face while blocking a shot in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against San Jose. He lost several teeth but left the game for only a few minutes before returning.

Two weeks ago, he helped the Blackhawks take home the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years. As soon as the team returned to Chicago the next morning after a Game 6 overtime victory in Philadelphia, it was a 24-7 party for the players, who celebrated with the city's long-suffering fans.

Kane said he hadn't had a good night's sleep since heading home to British Columbia five days ago and arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday armed with plastic teeth to fill in the empty spaces in his mouth. Keith added that he plans to get his teeth permanently replaced just before the start of the 2010-11 season.

"It's pretty neat being here," he said. "Being nominated and being a part of it."

Keith is up for the James Norris trophy, given to the league's top all-around defenseman.

Actor and comedian Jay Mohr will host the show, while several Hollywood stars are expected to be in attendance, including actor Mark Wahlberg and rapper Snoop Dogg. Red carpet festivities will start about 3 p.m. outside of the Palms.

The awards show will air on Versus starting at 4:30 p.m. PST.

AWARDS AND FINALISTS

Art Ross Trophy (League's leading scorer): Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks.

Bill Masterton Trophy (Perseverance, sportsmanship & dedication to hockey): Kurtis Foster, Tampa Bay Lightning; Jed Ortmeyer, San Jose Sharks; Jose Theodore, Washington Capitals.

Calder Trophy (Outstanding rookie): Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche; Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings; Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres.

Frank J. Selke Trophy (Forward who excels in defensive play): Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks; Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hart Trophy (Most valuable player to his team): Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins; Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals; Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks.

Jack Adams Award (Outstanding coach): Joe Sacco, Colorado Avalanche; Dave Tippett, Phoenix Coyotes; Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators.

James Norris Trophy (Outstanding all-around defenseman): Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings; Mike Green, Washington Capitals; Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks.

King Clancy Trophy (Leadership qualities on and off the ice): Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes.

Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct): Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; Brad Richards, Dallas Stars; Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ted Lindsay Award (Most outstanding player selected by the NHLPA): Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins; Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals; Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks.

Maurice Richard Trophy (Regular season goal scoring leader): Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins; Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning.

Vezina Trophy (Outstanding goaltender): Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils; Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes; Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres.

William M. Jennings Trophy (Goaltender on club with fewest goals against): Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils.

Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP): Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks.

NHL General Manager of the Year Award: Don Maloney, Phoenix Coyotes (Winner); George McPhee, Washington Capitals; David Poile, Nashville Predators.

Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins; Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes; Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres.

NHL Foundation Player Award: Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings; Mike Green, Washington Capitals; Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres.

Presidents' Trophy (Club with most points in regular season): Washington Capitals.

Prince of Wales Trophy (Eastern Conference Playoff Champion): Philadelphia Flyers.

Clarence Campbell Bowl (Western Conference Playoff Champion): Chicago Blackhawks.