NHL awards show to stay in Las Vegas, move to Hard Rock
The annual NHL Awards Show is staying in Las Vegas. But it is moving to a new venue.
The Hard Rock Hotel will host the league’s annual gathering of its best players June 22 at The Joint. The NHL confirmed Monday the site and date.
The league’s Board of Governors are also expected to hold their meetings that week in Las Vegas. The owners have been studying for several months whether or not to expand to Las Vegas and/or Quebec City for the 2017-18 season.
However, a decision on whether or not to expand is expected before the owners come to Las Vegas in June. If that decision is made prior to June, it would be done through a special meeting called by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. At the moment, no decision has been made.
The Hard Rock will be the fourth different location the NHL has used since it first came to Las Vegas in 2009 for its postseason gala. The Palms hosted the awards show from 2009 to 2011. Wynn Las Vegas hosted from 2012 to 2014. Last year’s event was held at the MGM Grand Garden.
The NHL was looking to return to the MGM. But there were scheduling conflicts with both the Grand Garden and T-Mobile Arena, so the league explored the Hard Rock, which has The Joint, a 4,000-seat venue.
Information on public sale of tickets will be announced in the next couple of weeks.
At least four players know to save the date. Chicago center Patrick Kane won the scoring title and will be the recipient of the Art Ross Trophy. Kane had 46 goals, 60 assists and 106 points for the Blackhawks.
Washington’s Alex Ovechkin won his fourth straight Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and sixth of his career after leading the NHL in goals with 50.
Anaheim’s goaltending duo of John Gibson and Frederik Andersen won the William M. Jennings Trophy which goes to the team whose goalies play at least 25 games apiece and allow the fewest goals. The duo allowed just 192 goals this season.
Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow on Twitter: @stevecarprj
