Clement: MVP? Alex's still greatest player

Encore for Caps' Ovechkin? 70 goals; Lightning to win several awards Washington's Alex Ovechkin poses with, the Richard Trophy, Pearson Award, Hart Trophy and Ross Trophy in June. One of the NHL’s biggest stories of the 2008-09 season could be a turnaround by Tampa Bay, which in the course of four years has gone from Stanley Cup champion to the league’s cellar dweller. The Lightning have a new offensive-minded coach in Barry Melrose and a retooled lineup that should pack plenty of scoring punch. One of the new faces is Steve Stamkos, the top overall pick in last summer’s draft. So I’m expecting Tampa Bay to be on the rise and also expecting that when the NHL awards are handed out after the season, the Lightning will be taking home some of the hardware. Here are my award predictions: Richard Trophy (leading goal scorer) Alex... [read full story]