Ovechkin receives Art Ross, Maurice Richard Trophies

May 28, 2008 - 11:00 PM By Chris Adamski PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby likely forever will be linked as the superstars anointed as the faces of the NHL since entering the league during the post-lockout season.

But as Ovechkin - the Washington Capitals' young megastar - accepted the Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, he openly wished he could trade places with the Penguins' Crosby on Wednesday.

"I'm a little bit jealous," Ovechkin said to laughs at an awards ceremony at the Omni William Penn Hotel, mere blocks from Mellon Arena, where Crosby would be taking part in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings.

One year after Crosby won the Art Ross and Hart Trophies, the latter of which is given to the league MVP, Ovechkin took the league's awards for most points and most goals in the 2007-08 season. The Russian also is the heavy favorite to win the Hart, which will be awarded in Toronto on June 12.

Ovechkin posted 65 goals and 112 points this past season. The goals total was the highest in the NHL since Mario Lemieux netted 69 in 1995-96, but Ovechkin sounded as if it was not the pinnacle of what he could achieve.

"It was a good year, but it wasn't my best year," the 22-year-old said. "When I take the Stanley Cup, that will be my best year. I'm happy to take (these trophies), but the biggest one is not in my hands yet."

Ovechkin deflected much of the credit for his performance to his teammates, coaches and the Capitals organization. Washington had the worst record in the Eastern Conference but rebounded after a coaching change, going 37-17-7 under Bruce Boudreau to ultimately win the Southeast Division title.

Ovechkin recorded four goals and five assists in the conference quarterfinals as the Capitals lost to the Philadelphia Flyers, dropping Game Seven in overtime.

"To be last in the conference and then at the end of the year win the division and be in the playoffs, it was a great experience," Ovechkin said. "We went through a lot as a team, but we got through it."

The Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies were not the only ones handed out Wednesday.

Most notably, the Jennings Trophy officially was presented to the Red Wings' veteran duo of Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek. The Jennings is given to the goaltenders who play a minimum of 25 games for the team that allows the fewest goals during the regular season.

With the Red Wings leading the Stanley Cup Finals, two games to none, and playing later Wednesday evening, neither netminder was on hand to formally accept the trophy as they were preparing for Game Three. Detroit general manager Ken Holland did the honors on their behalf.

"I talked to Dom and Chris, and obviously they couldn't be over here. They were a little busy," Holland said. "But the one thing they wanted me to stress is, obviously this is a team trophy, and it's not an individual trophy. They wanted to make sure that was gotten across."

The Red Wings allowed only 184 goals in their 82 games this season, an average of 2.24 per contest. The statistics for the 43-year-old Hasek and the 35-year-old Osgood were remarkably similar, as each made 40 starts, won 27 games and allowed 84 goals.

"It's a team award, and the defensemen were great and forwards played defensively really well," Holland said. "But certainly, they made key saves throughout the season. When you see them work as hard as they do and what they bring every day in practice, it's no surprise they won this award."

Also Wednesday, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin was given the Mark Messier Leadership Award, which is presented to the player who exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice.

Messier was on hand to present the award. He cited Sundin's presence in the pressure-cooker environment that is Toronto and the fact that the Swede refused to accept a trade because, if he was going to win the Stanley Cup, he wanted to see the entire season through and experience all of ups and downs.

"Getting recognition from Mark Messier is something I didn't expect," said Sundin, an 18-season veteran who has been a Maple Leaf for 14 campaigns. "Obviously, he's the best leader who's ever played the game of hockey, so I'm game very proud of that."

The NHL Foundation Award was presented to Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier and Vancouver Canucks center Trevor Linden. That award is designed to recognize the player who displays commitment, perseverance and teamwork, which the league calls "the core values of hockey."

"I think the longer you play, the more you realize how fortunate you are," said Linden, a 20-year veteran. "I've always been very blessed to be around for 20 years and play a game that I love, so I've always felt that you need to find ways to try to make a difference and do the best you can."

The Vincent Lecavalier Foundation was started to benefit chronically ill youth and youth charities.

"It's great," Lecavalier said. "I always wanted to do a foundation, but I never could the first couple years in the league because I wanted to establish myself in the league at first. But after things slowed down, my first goal was to start the foundation."