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I don't hate the NHL.

That seems a strange declaration. But at a time when many critics are dissecting the game, it's probably necessary.

Yes, the standings have been made almost unbearably even by the extra point for the shootout loss or overtime loss. Yes, coaches continue to find creative ways to stifle all creativity. Yes, officiating too often is unpredictable.

But goalies are being challenged at an increasing rate, and if they don't stand up and play great, they get lit up. The balance in the standings is creating a scenario in which it's difficult to predict a winner in just about any game. And kids are infiltrating the league at an alarmingly high rate.

Once upon a time, it was darn near impossible for a teenager to break into the NHL. Coaches frowned upon it, and the abundance of veterans made it unnecessary. Now, however, the salary cap has spread talent so evenly that organizations are looking down the roster and seeing teens and 20-somethings as their best options.

As Les Jackson put it when he came on as a Stars interim co-GM , "It's a young man's game."

And that's exciting.

It's how Chicago is trying to bring back a winning tradition. It's how Phoenix is trying to win new fans. It's how teams like Dallas and Colorado are trying to stay competitive.

Look at the Stars. Most nights, they dress four rookies – Matt Niskanen, Chris Conner, Nicklas Grossman and Mark Fistric – and a host of other 20-somethings. Colorado has rookies Kyle Cumiskey, T.J. Hensick, Cody McLeod and David Jones playing regular shifts.

These players not only bring a young spirit and a young drive, but they also make mistakes. That's something this league needs more of. Too long, the veteran players understood they could carve a place in the league simply by playing it safe. Too often, great offensive players cast away their creative instincts to become great checkers or great defenders.

But these kids want more than that. Patrick Kane in Chicago is trying to find new ways to score. Daniel Carcillo in Phoenix is exploring exciting ways to anger the opposition. Kris Letang in Pittsburgh is hoping to follow in Sergei Zubov's footsteps as a defenseman who excels in the shootout.

The world junior hockey tournament just concluded in the Czech Republic, and there was speculation the other day at the rink about what the rosters for the 2010 Olympic teams might look like. The guess here is there will be a lot of 20-somethings in Vancouver. A new wave is coming, and a new wave has already arrived.

The league is trending down in age. It is indeed a young man's game.

And that's kind of fun.

Here are the picks for the top awards:

(most valuable player)

Since I tend to make it the player who means most to a good team, the vote right now goes to Calgary's Jarome Iginla. The numbers say Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk and Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier should be right up there, that they are leading bad teams, and overcoming even more than Iginla. But I just have trouble making a most valuable player come from a team that's not even making the playoffs.

Honorable mention: Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay; Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta; Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose.

(top goalie)

Evgeni Nabokov has played every game for San Jose and has helped drive the Sharks to the top of the Pacific Division standings during a very turbulent time. His 2.01 GAA comes at a time when the Sharks are still trying to find a rhythm for their group of defensemen and while the forwards are struggling to score. He beats out Vancouver's Roberto Luongo, who is back on his amazing horse with a .930 save percentage, and Martin Brodeur, who has helped will the Devils to the top of the Atlantic Division.

Honorable mention: Roberto Luongo, Vancouver; Martin Brodeur, New Jersey; Chris Osgood, Detroit.

(top defenseman)

Nicklas Lidstrom simply plays the most minutes for the best team in hockey. Watching the Red Wings, you see that Lidstrom has a hand in everything. That's why he's plus-31 after 41 games. Sergei Zubov and Brian Rafalski are runners-up, and watch for Anaheim's recently- returned Scott Niedermayer to make a second-half push.

Honorable mention: Sergei Zubov, Dallas; Brian Rafalski, Detroit; Dion Phaneuf, Calgary.

(top rookie)

The Chicago duo of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews might fight all season for this award. Then again, maybe Washington's Nicklas Backstrom might continue to feed Alexander Ovechkin and snatch it away from both. Bottom line, this is one of the best rookie races in years. Atlanta defenseman Tobias Enstrom and St. Louis defenseman Erik Johnson are dark horses, and you even have to toss in Dallas' Matt Niskanen. The preseason guess here was Backstrom, so we're sticking with that pick.

Honorable mention: Patrick Kane, Chicago; Jonathan Toews, Chicago; Tobias Enstrom, Atlanta.

(top coach)

Seriously, did anybody think any team would run away with the NHL in this parity-driven era? What Mike Babcock has done with the Red Wings is nothing short of amazing. On paper, they are a good team. He has found a way to make them a great team. As they say in the NHL, full marks to him.

Honorable mention: John Paddock, Ottawa; Dave Tippett, Dallas; Brent Sutter, New Jersey.

Detroit at Ottawa (Saturday): The two best teams in the NHL, tops in each conference, will meet for the only time this season and play on Hockey Night in Canada. Ottawa won, 3-2, in Detroit last season, so there are plenty of fresh memories there.

Jarome Iginla, Calgary: The guy had scored 17 goals in his last 16 games entering the weekend. The Flames were 10-1-2. If anyone can handle what Mike Keenan dishes out, it's Iginla. And if anyone can be the captain that Keenan desires, it's Iginla.

Tampa Bay: Rarely do we point out a bad team as a team to watch, but the Lightning is worthy for several reasons. It has been really bad, going 5-14-2 entering the weekend. And it could be forced to trade Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis or Vincent Lecavalier.