FanHouse Tony Esposito

Aside from helping lead his team to the postseason for the first time in franchise history, Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason has an opportunity to take home some serious hardware at the NHL's award ceremony in June. After being named as one of the finalists for the Calder Trophy as the top rookie, the 20-year-old Mason is also a nominee for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender. Joining Mason as finalists are Boston's Tim Thomas and Minnesota's Niklas Backstrom.

According to John McGourty of NHL.com, the only players to win both the Calder and Vezina in the same season are Tom Barrasso, Ed Belfour, Tony Esposito and Frankie Brimsek.

Every day from Monday to Saturday, The Ice Sheet will take a look at the biggest stories in the league that happened on the ice and elsewhere the night before.

If you had to build a franchise around one of the league's young players, and it couldn't be either Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin, you would probably go with Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf. Rarely does a club get the chance to utilize a defenseman that is the complete package of size, toughness, grit, strength, shooting power, and offensive acumen.

Therefore, you can be sure the Flames knew they had something special in their modern day Scott Stevens-like stalwart, and they were going to do everything in their power to keep the boy around.

How about a big nice contract extension for six years at about $6.5 million per season? Yeah, that ought to do it.

I'm excited about the prospect of playing another six years in Calgary," said Phaneuf. "In fact, I never thought I would be playing anywhere else. I am proud to be a member of this organization and will continue to concentrate on the job at hand - making and advancing in the playoffs this year and for years to come."

Maybe, just this once, we'll see a smile from the guy with the perma-sourpuss on his face?