No, the Thrashers won't fare well in postseason awards unless Tobias Enstrom pulls off a huge upset for the Calder Trophy.

But players on the Thrashers still have opinions on contenders they think should be honored for strong regular seasons.

Hart Trophy

The consensus in the Thrashers locker room is that Alex Ovechkin should win the MVP award even if the Capitals don't make the playoffs. It's understandable, considering Ovechkin has lit up the Thrashers this season. He willed the Capitals to a comeback win over the Thrashers on March 21 and has scored more career goals on Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen than any other goalie in the league.

Eric Perrin: "You can tell [Ovechkin] is a team player because he's always excited if he scores or somebody else scores —- as long as the team is winning."

Bryan Little: "Ovechkin —- that's probably who most guys said, right? Besides the fact that he puts up incredible numbers, he's so valuable to his team. You can't picture him not in that lineup. When he's in a game, he's such a factor. He plays for the team and he's exciting to watch."

Todd White: "[Ovechkin] has been carrying that team on his back for pretty much the whole year. But obviously [Pittsburgh forward Evgeni] Malkin has to be in there too —- especially after [Sidney] Crosby got hurt. Those two have been unbelievable."

Bobby Holik: "I say [New Jersey goalie Martin] Brodeur. Without him, they would probably have 10 less wins, maybe more. Is Ovechkin single-handedly winning games? How can you be the MVP when you play 16 games between us and Tampa? That's a lot of games against two of the worst teams in the league."

Norris Trophy

Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom is the front-runner to be named the league's top defenseman again, and few on the Thrashers could disagree. But Perrin suggested that when Lidstrom's reign ends, Washington defenseman Mike Green might dominate the category. Green entered the weekend with 17 goals in what has been a breakout season for the former first-round pick.

Jim Slater: "Lidstrom, but I also like Green. I would agree with [Perrin], he's going to win a lot."

Chris Thorburn: "I'd have to go with Nicklas Lidstrom. His plus-minus is unbelievable, and he's a big part of that team. But also [Pittsburgh's] Sergei Gonchar is one of my favorites. I like Sergei, he flies under the radar a lot but he gets it done offensively and defensively."

Calder Trophy

Thrashers rookie Tobias Enstrom will get consideration for rookie of the year, but he has some stiff competition. After a slow start, Washington's Nicklas Backstrom has surged into contention and will give the early favorite, Chicago's Patrick Kane, the most competition.

Perrin: "It's going to be between Backstrom and Kane. I've only seen Kane in highlights, but to me Backstrom is the best candidate I've seen. He just stays cool, stays focused. For a rookie to come in and act like that —- that's a lot of promise for a player.

Little: "I'd say [Phoenix forward Peter] Mueller. I used to play against him, we're the same age, and he's a great player. He had a slow start, but he's turned it on. He's not playing on a great team in Phoenix, but he's putting up good numbers."

Jack Adams Award

The race for coach of the year is wide open with so many teams still in contention. Montreal's Guy Carbonneau has done a remarkable job with the Canadiens, and Washington's Bruce Boudreau turned the Capitals around after Glen Hanlon was fired. But Pittsburgh's Michel Therrien kept the team in contention when injuries hit the Penguins hard. Barry Trotz lost a slew of players over the summer and kept Nashville in contention the entire season.

Thorburn: "It just seems like it turned around in Washington as soon as [Boudreau] came. Once they got his systems down, their team has pretty much been on fire."

Slater: [Carbonneau] has done a great job with Montreal; he's led them the whole year. They don't really have a superstar, but they have the No. 1 power play, and they're tough to play against.