The Hart Trophy (League MVP)

Today was the announcement of the nominees for the 2009-2010 Hart Trophy, which is the NHL MVP award. The nominees for 2009-2010

Alex Ovechkin - the 2 time defending league MVP. Led the Washington Capitals to the best regular season record and the President's Trophy.

Sidney Crosby - the 2007 winner of the Hart Trophy. Captain of the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. He shared the Rocket Richard trophy as the league leader in goals for 2009-2010.

Henrik Sedin - Vancouver Canucks - winner of the 2010 Art Ross trophy for leading the league in scoring, the first Canuck to win the award.

The Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship)

The Lady Byng trophy which is given "to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability".

The 2010 nominees:

Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit RedWings - The 4 time defending winner of this award is going for his 5th consecutive Lady Byng. He would become the first player to win the award 5 consecutive years and second all time in Lady Byng Trophies behind Hall of Famer Frank Boucher who won it 7 times between 1927 and 1935.

Brad Richards - Dallas Stars - This is Brad's third nomination and he took home the trophy in 2004.

Martin St. Louis - Tampa Bay Lightning - this is the fourth time for Martin to be nominated, he has yet to win the trophy.

2009-2010 Rocket Richard Trophy Winner

This years Rocket Richard Trophy race ended in a tie between Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Steve Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning with 51 goals.

This year had the fewest goals for the winner(s) since 2004 when 3 men (Jarome Iginla,Rick Nash and Ilya Kovalchuk) tied for the trophy with 41 goals.

 The 2 time defending Richard trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin finished runner up with 50 goals.