FHL TURKEY AWARDS, 2019-20

Towering floodlights, miles of red carpet, a caravan of limousines - all that can mean only one thing, that’s right folks, it’s time for the 3rd annual FHL Turkey Awards.

The FHL Turkey Awards is an annual event that takes place each year at Thanksgiving. The award is presented to three players - one from each position - who have not lived up to their lofty expectations. That is, players taken relatively early in the draft who, as of late November, are playing like shit.

The 2019-20 recipients are...

<drum roll, please>



JOHNNY GAUDREAU
After netting 36 goals, 63 assists and 99 points last year - and entering his prime at 26 years of age - Johnny Gaudreau appeared ready to hit the big time, the diminutive winger sure to surpass the 100 point mark - maybe even challenge for the scoring title and the coveted Art Ross. His potential was boundless. That’s exactly what GM Morgan was thinking when he drafted Gaudreau in the 1st round. Morgan’s thinking - like milk that has been left on the counter overnight, was off. Through the first 28 games of the season, Gaudreau has collected only 5 goals and 15 assists - numbers that rank Gaudreau 50th among all NHL forwards. Gaudreau is currently keeping company with players who weren’t even drafted; absolutely nothing about Gaudreau, thus far, resembling a 1st round pick.

DISHONORABLE MENTION
Claude Giroux, drafted in the 2nd round (25GP, 8G, 10A)
Sean Monahan, drafted in the 3rd round (28GP, 6G, 14A)




P.K. SUBBAN
As a member of the Nashville Predators, P.K. Subban shared the spotlight with a bevy of offensive-minded defenseman. Despite the competition, Subban flourished, the colorful rearguard recording 16 goals and 59 points in 2018. As a member of the New Jersey Devils - and now the star of the show - Subban’s numbers were sure to soar - a 15 goal, 70 point season all but guaranteed. That’s exactly what GM Morgan was thinking when he grabbed Subban with the 11th pick in the 2nd round. Morgan’s thinking - like milk that has been left on the counter overnight, was off. Through the first 23 games of the season, Subban has netted just 2 goals and 3 assists; numbers that rank Subban (hang on, I gotta grab a calculator) 115th among all NHL defenseman. If we had an additional FHL Turkey Award to give, Subban would receive two.

DISHONORABLE MENTION
John Klingberg, drafted in the 2nd round (20GP, 1G, 7A)
Erik Gustafsson, drafted in the 2nd round (23GP, 3G, 5A)




PEKKA RINNE
It’s difficult to pinpoint a crappy goaltender as they can - if playing for a good team - win a lot of games even when playing poorly. Despite posting subpar numbers of 3.06 (GAA) and .889 (SV%) Pekka Rinne has won 8 games at the Thanksgiving break; not a horrible number by most standards, but certainly a horrible number when you take into account that Rinne was drafted in the very first round. The wonky pick has been compounded by the fact that Rinne is now sharing time with Juuse Saros; the Nashville backup starting 10 of the 24 games contested thus far - a number that would have Saros playing 35 of his team’s 82 games (that’s only 47 games for Rinne). A first round pick for a part-time goalie with crappy numbers? Yes sir, the epitome of an FHL Turkey.

DISHONORABLE MENTION
Devan Dubnyk, drafted in the 3rd round (4W, 8L, 3.36 GAA, .893 SV%)
Cory Schneider, drafted in the 5th round (0W, 4L, 4.59 GAA, .852 SV%)


PAST WINNERS
2018-19
Anze Kopitar
Erik Karlsson
Matt Murray
2017-18
Joe Pavelski
Brent Burns
Carey Price