When playoff season rolls around in the NHL, it also signals award season for the league’s best players and staff.
We had 40 writers and editors provide their picks for seven of the NHL’s most prestigious awards, with some polls being extremely tight, and others not so much.
Here’s who they think will win the Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy, Vezina Trophy and more.
1. Who will be the Hart Trophy winner as the NHL’s regular-season MVP?
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Four NHL stars got a considerable amount of votes here, but in the end, Oilers superstar center Leon Draisaitl emerged as the winner, with two more votes than Jets star goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Draisaitl won the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy as the top goal-scorer in the league this season, and he’s done more than enough to earn his first career Hart.
2. Who will win the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman?
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Avalanche star Cale Makar has a Norris Trophy to his credit, and after posting career-bests in goals (30) and points (92) this year, he’s the runaway pick to win another. Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski had career-bests in assists (59) and points (82). And Canucks captain Quinn Hughes won last year’s Norris, but missing 14 games due to injury hurt his chances of repeating as Norris champ.
3. Who will win the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender?
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Only one category in this year’s poll had every voter in agreement, and it was this one, with 40 voters picking Hellebuyck to repeat as Vezina-winner. You can see why, as the 31-year-old set new personal-bests in goals-against average (2.00) and save percentage (.925). This will be Hellebuyck’s third career Vezina, as he’s earned every Vezina vote that’s come his way.
4. Who will win the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward?
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Aleksander Barkov is the reigning Selke-winner with two Selkes under his belt, and this year, the Panthers captain finished just two votes ahead of Maple Leafs right winger Mitch Marner, who is looking for his first career Selke, for first in this poll. Golden Knights centre Jack Eichel finished third in voting in this category, while one vote behind him were Florida’s Sam Reinhart and New Jersey’s Nico Hischier.
5. Who will win the Lady Byng Award as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player?
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Eichel has only eight penalty minutes and 94 points in 77 games this year, and voters responded by giving him the most votes in this category. In second is veteran Kings center Anze Kopitar, who has won two Lady Byngs in his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career, and who has just four PIM this season. And in third place is Canadiens center Nick Suzuki, who has only eight PIM this year.
6. Who will win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie?
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Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson was the clear pick for this year’s Calder, as the 21-year-old posted 60 assists and 66 points in 82 games. The 24-year-old goalie Dustin Wolf had a .910 SP and 2.64 GAA for the Flames this season. San Jose center Celebrini generated 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games.
7. Who will win the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s best coach?
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The credit for the Capitals’ stunning success this season – finishing with the Eastern Conference’s top regular-season record – goes to Spencer Carbery, who is in his second year behind Washington’s bench. No other coach got more than one vote in this category, as Carbery cruised to a landslide victory in our poll.
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