Multiple reporters are indicating that the Phoenix Coyotes' Don Maloney has won the first NHL General Manager of the Year Award, based on his surprising team which defied all expectations to capture the #4 seed in the Western Conference, and challenge for the Pacific Division championship.

Nashville's David Poile was a finalist for the award along with Washington's George McPhee. It will be interesting to watch this award over the coming years, to see whether it goes to managers who engineer quick turnarounds, or those who patiently build their assets over the course of many years, as Poile does. The Predators consistently rank among the NHL leaders in wins relative to payroll, a sign of how Poile takes advantage of the "draft & develop" philosophy, along with savvy free agent acquisitions like Marcel Goc and Francis Bouillon.