First Annual HARTY Awards

 The Stanley Cup has been awarded to the Los Angeles Kings, but the NHL isn't done handing out hardware just yet. The 2012 NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas is upon us, where the league's best hope to receive an individual awards to demonstrate their great seasons. Every player in attendance would exchange their scoring title or MVP to be in the Kings' position with Lord Stanley hoisted over his head in a heartbeat, but it still remains a fun event for all. Even though we didn't get a fancy opera hall, pretty girls to present trophies, or Nickelback to perform the whole time (you can thank us for that last one,) The Hart of Hockey is proud to present its first annual HARTY Awards.
 What is a HARTY you ask? It's a cheesy, generic name for what we're handing out to some of the NHL's best, awards that are probably more prized than some NHL award. HARTYs are based on the NHL's most prestigious awards, but then we've thrown in a few extra categories as well. The HARTYs are not supposed to reflect any kind of prediction for who will win in Vegas; in fact, you'll even notice some of our nominees are different than those of the NHL. These are just for fun, but rest assured, we will be adding these heralded accomplishments to the winners' Wikipedia pages. Well, even as the host I'm getting the "wrap it up" signal, so let's go on with the HARTY Awards!

King Quick: The League's Unsung MVP

 Although another weeks remains in the NHL's regular season, Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin is just about a lock to win the Art Ross and Hart trophies as the league's leaging scorer and most valuable player.  Sure, you could make an MVP argument for Tampa Bay's sniper, Steven Stamkos, who will surely win the Rocket Richard Trophy if he stays healthy through these last few games of the year.  You could do the same for Philadelphia's young dynamo, Claude Giroux, or even the man backstopping the team who currently leads the entire NHL in points, the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist.  Yes, the National Hockey League is up to its neck in talent, and a lot of the greatest players get the credit they deserve.  However, there is one man who sits far outside anyone's current radar for the Hart Trophy despite being undoubtedly the single most valuable player to his team.  That man is the Los Angeles Kings' 26 year-old netminder, Jonathan Quick.

Photo courtesy of Norm Hall (Getty Images)

 Although the Kings came into the season with L.A. Lakers-like expectations after the offseason acquisitions of Mike Richards and Simon Gagne, but execution was lacking during the majority of the first-half of the season and scoring was at a premium for a high-powered offense.  Quite frankly, considering the weapons Los Angeles has, it was pathetic.  Now, the only reason this team is even in the hunt for a playoff spot at this juncture of the season is directly attributed to Quick's spectacular play between the pipes.  He has been a shining star night in and night out for the Kings.
 Quick is tied for the league lead in shutouts with nine on the year, he has posted a 1.92 GAA thus far, which is good enough for third among all goalies, and he boasts a .930 save percentage, as well.  All impressive statistics, but Quick's play extends much farther than these numbers.  He's been tremendous during the Kings' (frequent) tight games, and has given them a chance to win those close matches until the last second.  Now only is his agility and athleticism are aesthetically pleasing to fans of all teams, they have allowed him to stop the puck at key points in games and are the only reason the Kings can even be considered for the playoffs.
 Before acquiring Jeff Carter on February 23, L.A. managed a lowly 1.98 goals per game.  That was good enough for worst in the league.  During that stretch, Quick kept the Kings close to victory in games they undoubtedly deserved to lose, allowed them to steal some points in OT and SO losses, and even helped his team secure two points with his many shutouts.  Since the Carter deal though, the Kings average three goals per game and have been doing their part to help their goaltender in the push for the playoffs.
 Despite being easily the most valuable player to his team's success this season, Jonathan Quick has been nowhere to be found in the talks for the Hart Trophy.  Quite frankly, with all of the talent in the NHL, there's a possibility he could even get snubbed for a Vezina Trophy nomination (competition like Henrik Lundqvist, Jimmy Howard, Pekka Rinne, and Marc-Andre Fleury can do that.)  The fact of the matter is, whether he goes home from Las Vegas at the end of the season with any hardware or not, the fact that the Kings are in any position to contend for a playoff bid this year is directly contributed to the artful performances of Jonathan Quick in goal.  He is without a doubt, the unsung MVP of the NHL.