PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The previous couple of seasons with the Pens you could have voted him as guy who didn’t fit a system or most underachieving per career accomplishments, this season the players voted Erik Karlsson the Penguins Most Valuable Player.
Top 10 in assists and points among NHL defensemen this year, Karlsson has been the constant with injuries to others during the season. The 35-year-old has flourished under first-year head coach Dan Muse with 14 goals and 50 assists, both highs as a Penguin. He also leads the team averaging 23 minutes and 40 seconds of ice time a game.
Karlsson was the NHL’s second stat of the month for March with 24 points (nine goals) in 17 games, leading all defensemen.
Other award winners
- Players’ Player for leadership on and off the ice—Sidney Crosby, his 8th time winning the award as among other milestones, because the Pens all-time points leader and seventh in NHL history
- Unsung Hero Award—fourth-line forward Noel Acciari, for a second straight season with career-highs in goals (12) and assists (11)
- Rookie of the Year—Ben Kindel, the 18-year-old has 34 points (17 goals, four game-winning)
- Defensive Player of the Year—forward Blake Lizotte and defenseman Ryan Shea
- Baz Bastien Memorial Trophy (Media Good Guy Award as voted by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Assn.)—Bryan Rust
Sidney Crosby wins the Players’ Player for an 8th year, other awards
Sidney Crosby wins the Players’ Player for an 8th year, other awards
