Our selections for Flyers' 2018-19 awards

Share

Going End to End today are NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Boruk and Jordan Hall.

The topic: Our selections for the Flyers' 2018-19 team awards, which will be handed out before Saturday's regular-season finale.

Bobby Clarke Trophy (Flyers MVP — selected by sportswriters and sportscasters)

Boruk: Sean Couturier 

This is a rather easy one for me. Last season, I had Couturier penciled in until Claude Giroux put the team on his back and carried it to the playoffs. This year, Couturier was once again steady (not spectacular) defensively and led the Flyers in goals. This should be a unanimous selection. 

Hall: Sean Couturier 

Couturier does so much. He's first on the team in goals (career-high 32) and faceoffs won (728), second in points (74) and ice time per game (22:05), third in shorthanded ice time (181:55) and leads Flyers forwards in blocked shots (60). At 26 years old, he should be an untouchable right next to Giroux.

Barry Ashbee Trophy (Most outstanding defenseman — selected by sportswriters and sportscasters)

Boruk: Radko Gudas

Let's be perfectly honest here: no one defenseman on this team was outstanding, so I’m reverting to which blueliner was the most consistent and reliable. Ivan Provorov struggled throughout the first half of the season with giveaways in the defensive zone, while Gudas was steady all season long. Gudas cut down on many of the mistakes and miscues from his previous seasons.

Hall: Travis Sanheim

No defensemen truly stood out this season as Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere experienced down years after career seasons. Sanheim, who just turned 23, was the one who stood out the most when his role grew under interim head coach Scott Gordon.

Yanick Dupre Class Guy Award (Presented to the Flyer who best illustrates character, dignity and respect both on and off the ice — selected by Philadelphia chapter of PHWA)

Boruk: Andrew MacDonald 

Apparently, they don't want to have a multi-award winner in this category, so with Couturier winning the award last season, this is a rather easy selection. Say what you want about the Flyers' defenseman, but MacDonald has been a class act not just this season, but throughout his Flyers tenure. Never complains when he's scratched while also lending his experience to the younger players. 

Hall: Scott Laughton

Laughton has played his butt off every single game this season. He skates hard, is a max-hustle kind of player and treats the game right. He's been respectful, honest and accountable after each difficult loss.

Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy (Most improved — selected by teammates)

Boruk: Travis Sanheim

There are two names that stick out here: Sanheim and Oskar Lindblom. It wouldn’t surprise me if the players chose Lindblom, but considering the strides Sanheim took in Year 2 playing on the top pair with Provorov, while increasing his point total from 10 his rookie season to 34 in 2018-19, I think Sanheim has made the biggest jump in his overall improvement.  

Hall: Oskar Lindblom

Lindblom, a 2014 fifth-round pick, has taken major strides and looks like a bright spot for the future. His 15 goals are sixth most among NHL rookies and the 22-year-old has played just 13:42 a game this season.

Gene Hart Memorial Award (Player with the most “heart” — selected by Philadelphia Flyers Fan Club)

Boruk: Brian Elliott 

The Flyers' goaltender was the PHWA recipient for the Masterton Award for perseverance and dedication, so I think this award shares some of those same qualities. After gutting it out in last year’s playoffs, Elliott endured a second hip procedure in November after undergoing offseason surgery and has quietly turned in a rather respectable season, which will likely be his last in Philadelphia.

Hall: Claude Giroux

Giroux puts up a lot of numbers and collects different accolades, but he doesn't get enough credit for traits like heart and dedication. He's made numerous adjustments for the better of the team, playing different positions, roles and a lot of minutes. He takes great pride in the wearing the Flyers' jersey.

Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

More on the Flyers

Contact Us