Faber Award

The Faber award is always handed out to the GM who makes the most influential move in turning the fortunes of their team around. Let’s look at the three nominees for this years award before we announce the winner.

Neil Rochwerg, Anaheim – The trade:
Anaheim Ducks: Andrei Svechnikov --- Vancouver Canucks: Ilya Mikheyev, Jonathan Huberdeau, TB 19 Rnd 1, CHI 19 Rnd 1

What a haul. Quite clearly the Canucks really like Svechnikov, and I can not blame them. But this was a trade that really changed the fortune of the Ducks. After this deal, GM Rochwerg went on a trading frenzy that made his team into a playoff team. If this trade does not happen, I do not think you see him make all those other deals.

Sebastiano Loconte – The trade:
Edmonton Oilers: Robin Lehner, Jonas Brodin, EDM 19 Rnd 1, EDM 20 Rnd 4, BOS Extension --- Colorado Avalanche: Connor Hellebuyck

This was a pretty even deal for both sides, but the Oilers saw an area where they could improve and went and did it. Nothing against Robin Lehner, but when you get a chance to get one of the best goalies in the world to match an already stacked lineup, you have to go and do it.

Steve Nicodemo – The Trade:
San Jose Sharks: John Carlson, SJ Extension --- Florida Panthers: Nikolaj Ehlers, FLA 19 Rnd 1

Another pretty even deal, but I have to think this one in the short run looks like a win for the Panthers. Carlson stepped in and became the number one d, led all d in points and even brought home the Norris this year. How much more could you want out of a deal?

The winner of the Faber award this year is GM Neil Rochwerg. When asked to comment GM Rochwerg said, “Very honoured to win this award. This was the first step in what was a busy year for us down in Anaheim. This was step one in what has been a long rebuild and we look forward to continuing to make moves as we try and reach the ultimate goal of winning the cup.”

Thanks all for reading my post on the awards and good luck to those teams remaining in the playoffs.