In one of the more memorable moments from this year's NHL Awards, Bryan Bickell was honored with a video tribute from the league after returning to the Carolina Hurricanes for the final four games of the season following a multiple sclerosis diagnosis back in October.

Joined by his wife Amanda, Bickell took to the stage to offer a heartfelt and emotional speech in front of a standing and captive audience.

Bickell, who has since announced his retirement, played four games in April for the Hurricanes, scoring a shootout goal in his final NHL appearance.

He finished his career with 66 goals and 70 assists in 395 regular season games, and with two Stanley Cup wins as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks (2013, 2015).

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Wednesday night may have been dominated by the news coming out of Las Vegas surrounding the NHL Expansion Draft and the league's end-of-season awards, but before the night was finished, there were still a couple more accolades to be handed out.

The NHL announced it's first- and second-team All-Stars following the completion of the awards ceremony, honoring the best player at each position as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association:

First Team

• D Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
• D Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
• C Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
• RW Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
• LW Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
• G Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets

Second Team

• D Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
• D Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
• C Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
• RW Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
• LW Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks
• G Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

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In conjunction with the NHL Awards and the expansion draft, the NHL announced its All-Rookie team for 2016-17 on Wednesday, and this season's star-studded class is well represented.

Matthews claimed the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year earlier in the night, beating out fellow nominees Laine and Werenski.

Murray, meanwhile, was a no-brainer between the pipes, as the sensational Pittsburgh netminder backstopped the Penguins to the second-best record in the NHL and yet another Stanley Cup.

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Vegas keeps stockpiling the quality draft picks.

The Golden Knights acquired the Blue Jackets' first-round, 24th-overall pick (in a side deal for taking on David Clarkson's contract) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, but then flipped the pick in exchange for the Winnipeg Jets' first-round, 13th-overall pick (in a side deal for not selecting Toby Enstrom in the expansion draft.)

Clarkson still has three years remaining on his deal with an annual cap hit of $5.25 million. He isn't likely to play in the NHL again due to a back injury, so he will likely be stashed on long-term injured reserve.

For clarity, instead of choosing 13th overall, the Jets will now select 24th overall on Friday night.

As a refresher, here is a list of the draft picks Vegas currently holds for the 2017 draft:

In total, the Golden Knights hold 12 picks (and counting) in the draft, highlighted by the sixth overall pick of their own, Winnipeg's 13th overall pick, and the New York Islanders' 15th overall pick. That's how you begin a rebuild.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets anted up for some expansion draft protection and salary cap relief.

The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Columbus’ 2017 first-round draft pick (24th overall), Columbus’ 2019 second-round draft pick, and forward David Clarkson as part of Wednesday's selection process.

Vegas then flipped the 24th overall pick to Winnipeg for the Jets' first-round pick at the 2017 NHL Draft (13th overall) and third-round pick in 2019.

Vegas concurrently selected forward William Karlsson, who had been exposed by the Blue Jackets.

Columbus received some salary cap relief in the deal, and avoided losing the likes of Josh Anderson, Matt Calvert, Joonas Korpisalo, Jack Johnson, or David Savard in the expansion draft.

Clarkson, who missed all of 2016-17 due to injury and isn't expected to resume his career, remains under contract for three more seasons with a cap hit of $5.25 million.

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Connor McDavid had himself a night.

The Edmonton Oilers captain captured the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player Wednesday at the NHL Awards, earning the honor over Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby and Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.

Here's the vote breakdown, which show McDavid won convincingly.

Fittingly, Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky announced the award, McDavid's second of the night, also capturing the Ted Lindsay Award as the league's most outstanding player voted by the NHLPA. The 20-year-old was also recognized for winning the Art Ross (top scorer) and was named the cover athlete for EA Sports NHL 18.

McDavid became the third player in NHL history to win MVP before turning 21-years-old, joining Gretzky and Crosby.

In his monstrous campaign, McDavid, 20, racked up a league-lead

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The Anaheim Ducks are parting with a promising young defenseman.

Shea Theodore was traded by the Ducks to the Vegas Golden Knights, who promptly selected veteran blue-liner Clayton Stoner from Anaheim in the expansion draft.

The Ducks were likely going to lose a much better player in the expansion draft had they not agreed to this deal, a fact acknowledged by general manager Bob Murray on Wednesday night.

"Obviously, we were going to lose one player in expansion, but we felt freeing up some salary would help us this summer," Murray said in a statement.

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Marc-Andre Fleury may not be one of the three nominees for the Hart Trophy on Wednesday, but that's not stopping Evgeni Malkin from throwing his support behind the veteran netminder.

The real reason for Malkin's post, and pouting face, is the fact that Fleury is Vegas bound, after being selected by the Golden Knights in the expansion draft.

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Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets won his second career Vezina Trophy on Wednesday after being voted the NHL's top goaltender for the 2016-17 regular season.

Bobrovsky beat out Braden Holtby, last year's winner, and Carey Price for the honor, taking 25-of-30 first-place votes.

Bobrovsky led the NHL with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage while guiding the Blue Jackets to the best regular season in franchise history. He finished third in wins (41) and tied for third in shutouts (seven).

The Russian netminder also took home the award in 2013.

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Calgary Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau was named the 2017 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner as the league's most sportsmanlike player.

The trophy is officially awarded to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."

Gaudreau is coming off a season in which he posted 61 points while only totaling four minutes in penalties.

Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues, and the Minnesota Wild's Mikael Granlund were the other two nominees.

Gaudreau picks up the Lady Byng for the first time in his career.

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