On behalf of the 2MA Crew, I would like to say that our prayers are with Richard Zednik, his family, and the entire Florida Panthers organization and its fans.

I know we joke around a lot here, but there’s nothing funny about what happened last night.

The Devils lost another member of their family as Max McNab passed away on September 2nd.

For those that don’t know the name, Max was the Devils second GM, replacing Billy MacMillan mid-season in 1983. Current GM Lou Lamoriello suceeded McNab in 1987.

The Devils drafted such players as Kirk Muller, Chris Terreri, Sean Burke and Eric Weinrich during his tenure, and these draft moves would help change the team image from a Mickey Mouse club to respectability. He remained with the team as Executive Vice President until retiring in 1994.

I tend to think of the Devils organization as a close knit family and anytime we lose a member of that family, we should take a moment and say a little prayer. So as training camp looms on the horizon, take a moment and think about Max and what he did for our little hockey team. His son David McNab is Assistant General Manager with the Anaheim Ducks and I hope that Max got to spend one more day with the Cup before his death.

With the NHL handing out its annual awards on Thursday night, I thought today would be a good day to share my list of who I think should win these awards.

Lester B. Pearson
- Sidney Crosby: No doubt that everyone in the NHL looks at Sid the Kid as the best thing to happen to this league. I’ve never heard one player in the league say the guy was overrated or didn’t deserve all the attention he gets. This kid IS the present and future of this league.

Calder Trophy
-Evgeni Malkin: With 33 goals and 52 assists the 20 year old Russian had an instant impact on the Penguins as he helped Sidney Crosby win a scoring title at 19, and made the Penguins a playoff contender again. A star from the word go the only difficulty he had in the NHL was getting out of his Russian contract, now the only question is how many years will him and Crosby take before they are the new Mario and Jagr leading the Penguins not just to the playoffs but to the Stanley Cup.

Frank J. Selke Trophy
-Jay Pandolfo: In College Jay Pandolfo at Boston University was one of the top goal scorers in the NCAA. However, upon joining the Devils Pandolfo was asked to sacrifice scoring to be a defensive forward in the team’s trapping defensive system. In 2006/07 Pandolfo once again was solid on defense and also had one of his finest offensive season while taking few penalties, which should have made him a Lady Byng candidate. However, before the Byng, Pandolfo deserves his first Selke.

Jack Adams Trophy
-Michel Therrien: Last year the Penguins were one of the worst teams in the NHL as they finished in last place with a 22-46-14 record. This year they challenged for a division title until the very end of the season and went to the playoffs for the first time in 6 years. While the development of players like Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin were the main reason. All three being under the age of 20 had to learn to win from someone and that is the coaching job Therrien did as the young Penguins have a bright future.

Vezina Trophy
-Martin Brodeur: One day Martin Brodeur may be looked upon as the best goalie in the history of the NHL as the two-time Vezina Winner is quickly moving up the all-time wins list and career shutout lists. This year may have been the best of Brodeur’s career as he set a new single season record with 48 wins, true the shoot out adds a big asterisk, but with 13 shut outs, and many coming in games he saved 30 or more shots as the new NHL forces goalies to be on their toes much eliminating the old Devils tactic of playing keep away with a lead.

Hart Trophy
-Martin Brodeur: There are rare occasions when a goalie wins the Hart Trophy as the league MVP. However, this is one of those occasions, while Sidney Crosby was the best skater, nobody not even Crosby was more valuable to his team then Marin Brodeur was to the Devils. Brodeur started all but 5 games this year as he set records for minutes played and wins with 48, while posting 13 shutouts. However it was the 33 wins by just one goal that illustrates how valuable Bordeur was to the Devils who won another Division Title.

I have to say this day is a little bitter. I know, I know get over it already but watching Niedermayer lift that Cup last night was the last thing I wanted to do. It is just a little aggrevating that in the two years since he left New Jersey, he’s been to a Conference Finals and in his second season, wins the big prize. Even though the boys have put together two decent seasons since his departure, lets be realists when we say we aren’t that close to the big prize. On top of all that I had to watch Chris Pronger also raise the Cup.

Excuse me while I look for the closest toilet.

But I don’t want to take anything away from Scotty. He’s an incredible player and a player that can leave a championship calibre team and lead another team in the same direction, as Captain, deserves a lot of praise. I do believe Anaheim realized what they were getting back on August 4, 2005 and again realized it last night. I’m sure Paul Kariya wishes he stuck around now!

Anaheim is an amazing team and while their free agent list is a little large, I do think they should be right in the thick of things next season too.

I am starting to believe that there might be something to the Canadian Curse (although I wish they would name it something else as I don’t believe in so called “curses.”) Of the three teams that recently made it to the Finals, I thought Ottawa had the strongest chance but in the end made the weakest showing.

Since the moment the Devils lost to the Senators I wanted the Stanley Cup Finals to be over because I want to get on with answering our off-season questions. We are finally there and I guess seeing Scotty raise the cup could have been a little worse, he could have done it against New Jersey.

Congratulations Anaheim on hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup!!

Anyone remember this blog?

Yeah, I proclaimed I was better than Sidney Crosby. How awesome am I?

Well, over the past few months a few angry Penguins fans have voiced their displease for my proclaimation.

So, Pittsburgh fans, I say this to you:

I’m still better than Sidney Crosby.

Just kidding.

I mean, he is apparently the next Penguin Cap’n, so, well, he’s technically one-up on me right now.

Watch your back, Sidney. Once I get bionic knees and sweet talk my way into the NHL, I will surely kick your butt.

Book it.

Joe and I would like to express our condolences to those affected by the tragic shootings that occurred today at Virginia Tech University. Already being called the deadliest campus shooting in American history, reports indicate that 32 people have been killed while many others have been injured — some quite serious.

The gunman is also among the dead, Virginia authorities report.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the students and faculty of Virginia Tech along with their families.

…it sure made me smile after tonight’s latest loss in the skid.

WATCH: Clark, the Canadian Hockey Goalie (link opens in new window)

Quick description: Hockey Goalie Clark, absolutely dreads the offseason, so he decides to pick up a new summertime hobby to fill the void that seemingly lacing up the skates can only do for him. Will playing in the infield for the Bears satsify that craving for Clark and put him in the ranks of Bo and Deion, among others? Find out by watching the brilliant movie short, Clark, the Canadian Hockey Goalie!

…okay I’m done playing Movie Critic…tee-hees.

Thanks goes out to Mandy for the link!

Chris Simon has been given Time Out indefinitely by the NHL, as the league now must figure out what to do with Dumbass Simon after his lumberjack swing at Ryan Hollweg’s (baseball) head.

Better yet, Dumbass doesn’t get any pay in the meantime. Guess he’ll have to shave his own head for the time being…

So, another black eye for the NHL. Gotta love the McSorleys, Niedermayers, Domis, Bertuzzis, and now, the Simons, eh?

Granted, Ryan Hollweg is as annoying as any other punk NHL player, but, well, common sense says you just don’t do that, Mr. Simon. Guess Dumbass lacks common sense.

If there’s justice, Simon will sit in the corner for the rest of the season, and if the Islanders happen to make the playoffs, he should at least be done for a round. And if the Isles don’t make the postseason, Long Island can take a collective poop on Dumbass because thanks in large part to HIM, the team failed yet again.

…no word on any action towards Colby Armstrong, who as we remember, threw a viscious elbow at Brad Lukowich. Poor Rad Brad ended up having to stay overnight at a local Pittsburgh hospital for observation over a probable concussion. Last time I checked, throwing elbows warranted at LEAST a penalty. Apparently this is not the case in the “new” NHL…le sigh.