Nashville, Bentley help put on show at 2023 NHL Awards

The 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Monday was packed with country music and of course hockey talent. And there was plenty of other show to enjoy. Here are some of the event's best moments:

McDavid thanks "even you Flames fans"

When Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid accepted the Ted Lindsay Award near the top of the show, he shouted out all hockey fans, even the ones that don't particularly enjoy his talents.

"Lastly to all you hockey fans out there, even you Flames fans," McDavid said, referencing the fierce "Battle of Alberta" rivalry to a laugh from the crowd. "You guys bring the energy to all the buildings across the league, it's special to play in front of you every night."

Knox Bentley interviews Hart candidates

Sure, country superstar Dierks Bentley was the host, but his young son Knox did some of the heavy lifting.

During an interview with Florida Panthers captain Matthew Tkachuk, Knox Bentley asked why Tkachuk so often chewed on his mouth guard.

Tkachuk reached in his pocket and gave Knox a mouth guard as Knox feigned vomiting. He also interviewed the famously stoic McDavid to some laughs and later asked for allowance money from Bruins forward David Pastrnak before breaking out into a verse of "Barbie Girl" by Aqua. Pastrnak did not join in.

"I don't even know the words. I barely know words to any songs to be honest, in English," Pastrnak told NHL.com. "It was a tough choice, but Knox wanted to show his voice and he has a nice voice."

George hits fan cam, sticks out tongue

If you're a Detroit Red Wings fan, Video: McDavid takes home his 4th Ted Lindsay Award. If not, you got quite the introduction to him at the NHL Awards.

The super-famous fan was in attendance and brought his famous stare, but this time added a little wrinkle, going with the tongue waggle.

Fans in attendance still ate it up. Classic George.

Bedard vs. Biz II

You may remember Video: McDavid takes home his 4th Ted Lindsay Award from presumed No.1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft Connor Bedard in the direction of TNT broadcaster Paul Bissonette during the Stanley Cup Final earlier this month.

"I haven't slept much since you put me in a body bag on national television during the Stanley Cup Final," Bissonette said.

When asked if he would like to apologize, Bedard said "Not really, no," drawing big laughs.

Bissonette also gave Bedard a cowboy hat, called him Nick Papagiorgio (the underage character who uses a fake ID to gamble in the movie "Vegas Vacation") and then asked him to give the Nashville crowd a "Yeehaw!"

"No, I'm good," said Bedard to more laughter.

Commish caught, cash your tickets

Bentley introduced a few funny (and fake) prop bets in one bit. One of the bets was would cameras catch NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman playing on his phone during the show.

The camera quickly cut to Bettman, who was looking at his phone, then revealed to the camera a half-completed "Wordle" board and a big smile.

Funny, man

Comedian Nate Bargatze, a native of Nashville, presented the Norris Trophy for best defenseman. He started his set smartly by saying "Go Preds" inside Bridgestone Arena. He then joked about being mistaken for McDavid saying they were both "just a couple of guys in suits who are pretty jacked."

Bargatze then said he wasn't the correct choice to give the defenseman award since he never defended anything in his life, though his wife tells him he is defensive about things like how often he golfs. "Only a couple times a week," Bargatze deadpanned.

Cup shows up

Bentley announced earlier in the show that having a drink from the Stanley Cup was on his bucket list.

Well, he accomplished that with the help of Vegas Golden Knights president George McPhee, general manager Kelly McCrimmon and defenseman Zach Whitecloud. And yes, there was some spillage, but Bentley wisely kept the microphone away from it.

Stelter Family joins McDavid

Oilers superfan Ben Stelter, who famously befriended McDavid during the Oilers 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff run, died last year after a brave battle with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. He was just 6 years old.

McDavid brought the Stelter family out on stage with him after he won the Hart Trophy for NHL Most Valuable Player.