For every Golden Knight, any trophy they win tonight is not the one they really wanted. However, a little hardware for an amazing season never hurt anybody. Vegas has four finalists in four separate categories at the 2018 NHL Awards. William Karlsson is up for Lady Byng (sportsmanship), Deryk Engelland for Mark Messier Leadership Award, Gerard Gallant is a shoe-in for Jack Adams (coach of the year), and George McPhee for GM of the Year.
The other finalists for each award are as follows. (We will update each award with the winner as well as some quotes and whatever else we come across throughout the night)
Lady Byng Trophy
William Karlsson (VGK)
Aleksander Barkov (FLA)
Ryan O’Reilly (BUF)
Winner: William Karlsson
To be honest I’m more nervous, kind of scared. What if I win? I have to go up on the stage, it’s kind of scary. For sure (scarier than playing the Stanley Cup Final). Much more. At least I know what I do on the ice. Going up on the stage and potentially having to speak to a lot of people is a lot scarier. -William Karlsson
Voting for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy by members of the PHWA: pic.twitter.com/iwvqpJ3mjs
— PHWA (@ThePHWA) June 21, 2018
It’s very special, just looking back a year ago who would have thought I would have been sitting here nominated for an award, but to win it, it’s been a crazy year. -Karlsson
You did great Bill. pic.twitter.com/EHyoUznWao
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) June 21, 2018
Messier Leadership Award
Deryk Engelland (VGK)
Wayne Simmonds (PHI)
Blake Wheeler (WPG)
Winner: Deryk Engelland
"I guess it means I'm old. It's an honor, you just do whatever you can to help the guys in the room succeed and get to where they want to get." -Deryk Engelland, Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award finalist pic.twitter.com/YINyydjwAu
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) April 24, 2018
Clean shaven Deryk isn't here for long… pic.twitter.com/mIfkkm6CIy
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) June 21, 2018
It’s a huge honor. Growing up in Edmonton and northern BC you are an Edmonton fan, especially in the 80s, so to watch them play it was extremely special and now to be standing here accepting the award from him (Mark Messier), it’s going to definitely go up on the wall in my house. -Deryk Engelland
Jack Adams Award
Gerard Gallant (VGK)
Jared Bednar (COL)
Bruce Cassidy (BOS)
Winner: Gerard Gallant
My coaching staff is very involved in what we do. They are great guys and they all work very hard. For me being nominated, it’s about our coaching staff. They are the guys who work hard, I’m the guy who gets the credit. -Gerard Gallant
Turk was 6 away from a unanimous Jack Adams win. Somehow one person left him completely off the ballot. https://t.co/OQxkWzSg32
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) June 21, 2018
General Manager of the Year
George McPhee (VGK)
Kevin Cheveldayoff (WPG)
Steve Yzerman (TBL)
Winner: George McPhee
Going to have the family here and enjoy a night where a lot of awards are being handed out and some great players being recognized so we’ll have a fun night and then we’ll fly out to Dallas and get to work. -George McPhee
GM of the Year voting breakdown (Voted on by GMs & panel of League executives, print & broadcast media after 2nd round of playoffs) pic.twitter.com/HHqjjyjiut
— Sean Leahy (@Sean_Leahy) June 21, 2018
Red Carpet
An inpatient owner is a good owner. #2Years1Cup pic.twitter.com/hh71bixNzT
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) June 20, 2018
I intend to make this a dynasty. We are not going to be one and done. We are going to bring the Stanley Cup here… more than once. -The Creator
When on the red carpet, ask the red carpet question… pic.twitter.com/AtFk8MCLBg
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) June 20, 2018
RJ
The two voters I’m most interested in checking out:
-The one voter who gave Karlsson that first place Hart vote. Gotta buy that guy or gal a beer.
-The one voter who left Gallant off their ballot. Gotta buy that guy or gal a Diet Zima.
Rob
Awesome job guys! Too bad we weren’t up against the kings for all four awards… woulda been fun to sweep them again.