While it may be a bit too early to hand out the NHL hardware and ponder whether Nicklas Lindstrom will win his seventh Norris Trophy, he will, if Alexander Ovechkin will make it back-to-back Hart Trophy victories, yep, or if interest will rise along with on-ice pugilisim, hell yes!, we can still recognize the players and teams with impressive mantle pieces. The Rocky Balboa Award. Georges Laraque, Montreal. Given to a one-dimensional goon who cashes in. At 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing in at 255 pounds, the Montreal native may not be the biggest enforcer on the ice, that honor belongs to the Bruin's 6-foot 9-inch Zdeno Chara, but there ain't no better scrapper in the league. After spending two seasons as Sidney Crosby's bodyguard, Laraque has cashed in with a three-year-deal that will net the winger $4.5 million. Not a bad payday for a player who has averaged eight minutes a game and whose skills were so impressive that he did not even suit up for the last five games of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Tony Romo Award. The Detroit Red Wings Given to the team that has it all (wealth, history) and gets even richer (Jessica Simpson). Missing games because of a broken pinkie notwithstanding. Coming off another Presidents' Trophy - its fourth in six years - and their 11th cup, the New York Yankees of the National Hockey League lands the biggest free agent on the market - forward Marian Hossa - in a very un-New York way. Hossa took a considerable pay cut to put on the red sweater, which has to make Penguins' fans even more irate. Declining multi-year offers from Pittsburgh, Montreal, the Rangers, Minnesota and Edmonton, Hossa signed a one-year deal worth $7.45 million for a shot a winning the cup. The Clint Eastwood Award. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey. Given to the player who though aged remains at the top of his game. The 36-year-old goaltender is competing for his fifth Venzina Trophy - he's won four of the last five - and after 14 seasons remains the games most durable netminder, leading all goalies in minutes played over the last three seasons. During those same three years, he has finished first in wins, goals against average and save percentage. Two seasons ago he set the single season record for victories with 48 and next month he will become the all-time leader in career wins. As of this writing he trailed Patrick Roy by eight. The Simon and Garfunkel Award. Colorado. Given to the team still looking for Joe Dimaggio. Since Patrick Roy retired following the 2003 season, and in the six months since Roy was suspended by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for instigating a fight between his son Jonathan and two members of the Chicoutimi Saguen