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Greg Wyshynski
The NHL’s most respected participant award winners normally have one factor in frequent: They don’t seem to be goaltenders or defensemen.
There are all types of justifications for the Hart Trophy virtually solely going to forwards: Like the truth that goalies and defensemen have their very own awards or the basic “a goalie could possibly be MVP each season!” harangue. The underside line is that of the previous 30 Hart Trophies, 4 went to goaltenders and one went to a defenseman.
That development could possibly be bucked this season, nevertheless. Not solely is a goaltender main the pack for the Hart, two defensemen are getting some MVP consideration as effectively.
Welcome to the NHL Awards Look ahead to February. We have polled a wide array of Skilled Hockey Writers Affiliation voters anonymously to get a way of the place the wind is blowing for the present leaders. We have made certain it is a cross-section from the complete league, making an attempt to achieve as many views as attainable.
Needless to say the PHWA votes for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Girl Byng; broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams; and normal managers deal with the Vezina.
All stats are from Hockey-Reference.com, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.
Leap forward:
Ross | Richard | Hart
Norris | Selke | Vezina
Calder | Byng | Adams
Artwork Ross Trophy (factors chief)
Click here for the updated point-scoring standings.
Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy
Click here for the updated goal-scoring standings.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Chief: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Finalists: Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
What a distinction a long-term harm makes.
The front-runner for the Hart Trophy in last month’s Awards Watch was Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild with 37% of the first-place votes. However he performed solely three video games in January and is at the moment on long-term injured reserve after surgery on a lingering lower-body concern. He is nonetheless the Wild’s main scorer with MVP numbers (23 targets and 52 factors) however his 37 video games performed is not sufficient to maintain tempo on this extremely aggressive race. Kaprizov did not obtain a first-place vote on this month’s balloting.
The brand new chief is Hellebuyck, the Jets’ beginning goaltender and final season’s Vezina Trophy winner. Whereas he did not obtain a first-place vote final month, he was a detailed second for just a few voters. This time, he has earned 25% of the first-place votes, which is indicative of how tightly packed the MVP race is true now.
“Who has been extra constant and extra very important to his staff’s success?” requested one voter.
“He is the very best goalie by an extended shot and on the very best staff within the league,” stated one other.
The Jets have 37 wins this season. Hellebuyck has 33 of them. He leads all goalies (minimal 20 appearances) in save share (.925) and goals-against common (2.04). Hellebuyck leads all goalies in minutes performed and photographs confronted, the latter of which he has completed 4 instances in his profession.
The NHL hasn’t had a goalie win MVP since Montreal’s Carey Value in 2014-15.
MacKinnon was a runner-up final month and is as soon as once more this month, capturing simply over 20% of the vote. He leads the NHL with 80 factors in 54 video games. There is a 22-point hole between MacKinnon and Cale Makar on the Colorado scoring leaderboard.
MacKinnon received the Hart final season. The NHL hasn’t had back-to-back MVPs since Alex Ovechkin received the award in 2008 and ’09.
“Nathan MacKinnon for the back-to-back, however let’s stay awake on Leon Draisaitl,” stated one voter.
Draisaitl was the opposite runner-up final month and stays simply barely forward of Quinn Hughes on this month’s vote. Draisaitl had roughly 20% of the first-place ballots. Hughes was round 15%.
Draisaitl leads the NHL in targets (36) and is second to MacKinnon in factors (77). He received the Hart as soon as beforehand, in 2019-20.
In accordance with Evolving Hockey, Draisaitl leads the NHL in targets scored above alternative (17.8) and wins above alternative (2.9). Teammate Connor McDavid is second in each classes. McDavid has additionally practically matched Draisaitl in factors per sport (1.46 to 1.48), enjoying 46 video games to Leon’s 52. McDavid, who did not obtain a first-place MVP vote, has 67 factors.
“I am torn between Leon Draisaitl and Quinn Hughes however in the end I’ll go along with Hughes,” stated one voter. “He’s utterly dominating on the ice in all phases and the Canucks would not be wherever near the playoffs with out him.”
Hughes has a slim lead over Makar within the scoring race amongst defensemen with 59 factors in 47 video games, skating 25:18 per sport. There is a 25-point hole between Hughes and the next-highest scorer on the Vancouver roster (Conor Garland). Hughes is third within the NHL in targets scored above alternative (16.5) and wins above alternative (2.7), proper behind Draisaitl and McDavid.
Just one different participant acquired a number of Hart Trophy first-place votes in our survey: Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov, who received the award in 2018-19.
Kucherov has 24 targets and 76 factors in 49 video games. That is 22 factors higher than the Bolts’ second-leading scorer, Brandon Hagel. Kucherov’s 1.55 factors per sport leads the NHL. If he stays on that tempo, it might be the ninth-best common over the previous 20 seasons.
“Whereas Kucherov is much from alone on his staff, he doesn’t have the elite help many of the different candidates have,” stated one voter.
“The NHL’s preeminent playmaker — who ought to’ve received this final yr — is averaging a whopping 0.78 major assists per sport,” stated one other voter. “Whereas others can debate MacKinnon vs. Leon Draisaitl vs. Connor Hellebuyck for the league’s final particular person prize, Kucherov will go about his traditional enterprise of potting a degree and a half per night time whereas serving to his membership into a snug playoff place within the East — once more.”
Two different gamers earned votes for the Hart. Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner‘s 70 factors in 52 video games put him fourth in scoring. He’s additionally tied for fourth amongst forwards with Kucherov in targets scored above alternative (16.1). Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski leads his staff in scoring (57 factors) whereas skating an NHL-high 26:48 per sport.
“If Columbus makes the playoffs, Zach Werenski can be a compelling candidate for a similar cause as Kucherov — he doesn’t have the elite help,” stated one voter.
Norris Trophy (high defenseman)
Chief: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
Finalists: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche; Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
He may not be within the MVP high three, however Hughes is main the Norris vote once more.
Hughes received the Norris final season. The NHL hasn’t had a back-to-back Norris winner since Nicklas Lidstrom received the award three straight years (2006-08) with the Detroit Red Wings. Hughes earned 45% of the first-place votes.
Hughes leads all defensemen in factors (57) and is tied with Werenski in even-strength factors amongst defensemen (37). In contrast to Werenski and Makar, Hughes doesn’t see vital time on the penalty kill, averaging simply 10 seconds shorthanded per sport.
0:47
Quinn Hughes lights the lamp for Canucks
Quinn Hughes lights the lamp for Canucks
“Vancouver is messy, however Quinn’s particular once more this yr,” stated one voter.
The Columbus Blue Jackets proceed to be probably the greatest tales of the season, difficult for a playoff seed within the Japanese Convention after an unfathomably tragic offseason.
Werenski has had pretty much as good a season as any defenseman within the NHL, from his scoring (57 factors) to his all-situations ice time. He earned 35% of the first-place votes, the clear second option to Hughes. That is simply probably the most awards buzz Werenski has acquired; he has by no means completed increased than eighth within the Norris voting.
“I am going Zach Werenski. He is been main the cost for Columbus, who’s in a wild-card spot and nonetheless within the thick of the playoff race. He is a giant cause why,” stated one voter.
“Ought to they in the end find yourself securing a playoff spot by season’s finish, the Columbus Blue Jackets may have one determine to credit score greater than every other,” stated one other voter.
Makar’s season-long maintain on the Norris lead is over, as he acquired a smaller share of the first-place votes than Werenski and Hughes. Makar is second in scoring amongst defensemen with 58 factors in 54 video games. His underlying defensive numbers stay robust: The Avalanche quit fewer targets per 60 minutes with Makar on the ice (2.03) than the Blue Jackets do with Werenski (2.07) or the Canucks do with Hughes (2.17).
“It is a very tight race between Hughes and Makar. Hughes appears to be doing a little bit extra with rather less in Vancouver, however this probably will come right down to the wire. Possibly whichever one helps his staff make the playoffs?” stated one voter. “Each are simply a lot enjoyable to look at.”
These three defensemen have been the one ones to obtain a first-place vote. The one different defenseman who earned a point out from the voters was Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets.
Calder Trophy (high rookie)
Chief: Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Finalists: Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens; Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames
The Macklin Celebrini prepare retains chugging alongside however the hole has closed.
Final month, the San Jose Sharks ahead had 90% of the first-place votes. It’s now right down to 60%: a big lead, however not an insurmountable one.
Celebrini, 18, has 16 targets and 21 assists in 42 video games, lacking a chuck of time to harm earlier this season. He has scored simply 11 of his 37 factors on the facility play; the Sharks have the Twenty sixth-ranked unit within the league. His 0.88 factors per sport would rank within the high 15 for rookies because the 2005-06 season.
“With Mikael Granlund now traded [to Dallas], Macklin Celebrini goes to run away with the Calder. He can be compelled right into a extra distinguished position and … is already higher than what the Sharks anticipated,” stated one voter.
“Works simply as exhausting skating towards his goaltender as he does skating away from him,” stated one other voter.
Whereas Celebrini remains to be the chief, the finalists had a big change: Philadelphia Flyers star rookie Matvei Michkov drops out of the highest three and did not earn a first-place vote. He has 34 factors in 52 video games, however January/February has not been type to him (2 targets and a pair of assists in 15 video games), and coach John Tortorella has performed him fewer than 10 minutes in a few video games. Nonetheless, he is among the many league’s high rookie level producers.
Shifting up into the highest three is Wolf, the excellent rookie goalie for the Calgary Flames. He is tied for fifth within the NHL in save share (.917), with a 19-9-2 document. Cash Puck has him ninth in targets saved above anticipated (12.5).
In contrast to the opposite leaders for the Calder, Wolf’s staff is at the moment in a playoff spot. There’s an excellent argument to be made that the Flames would not be there have been it not for Wolf, and that might gas his candidacy. He earned 25% of the vote.
“It is Wolf — offered the Flames make the playoffs,” stated one voter.
Hutson was a finalist final month and earned the remainder of the first-place votes this month. The Canadiens rookie is lapping the sector amongst defensemen in rookie scoring: His 39 factors in 52 video games is over 30 factors increased than that of the next-highest-scoring first-year defenseman.
“Give me Lane Hutson — what a stud,” stated one voter.
“I normally give lots of weight to rookie defensemen enjoying large minutes on aggressive groups. We’ll see how aggressive the Canadiens can be, however for me, Hutson’s enjoying a tough position in video games which can be significant within the standings,” stated one other voter. “However that is very tight with Celebrini and Wolf.”
Regardless of his stats, Hutson nonetheless has to beat the present chief in hype and notion.
“Possibly in the future I am going to crack on Hutson, however Celebrini remains to be my decide,” stated one voter.
Vezina Trophy (high goaltender)
Word: The NHL’s normal managers vote for this award
Chief: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Finalists: Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals; Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames
It is not precisely a shock to see a goalie main the MVP race additionally main for the NHL’s high goaltending prize. A goaltender has received the Hart Trophy 4 instances because the standards for the Vezina Trophy was adopted in 1981-82. All 4 instances, in addition they received the Vezina.
Via 42 video games, Hellebuyck led the NHL in wins (33), shutouts (6), save share (.925) and goals-against common (2.04) in propelling the Jets to the highest of the Western Convention. He earned 80% of the vote from our panelists.
“This is not significantly shut,” stated one voter.
“Simply put his title on it already,” stated one other voter.
“The hole is widening in what was already changing into a runaway race, and that is saying one thing as a result of Logan Thompson has been spectacular,” stated one other voter.
Ah sure, the Logan Thompson of all of it. The Washington Capitals goalie had a 23-2-4 document by 29 video games. Once more, that is two regulation losses in 29 appearances. You must return solely two seasons to discover a goalie who had stellar stats however was an simple Vezina winner due to his document: Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins, who went a outstanding 40-6-1.
Thompson is true there with Hellebuyck in save share (.924) and only a shade behind in targets towards common (2.15). He really has a barely higher analytics case than Hellebuyck in accordance with Stathletes with 0.38 targets saved above anticipated per 60 minutes to Hellebuyck’s 0.26.
Thompson acquired 15% of the votes.
“Logan Thompson has entered the chat, and rightfully so. He does not tackle the identical workload as Connor Hellebuyck, however my goodness he is been an absolute brick wall,” stated one voter.
The one different goalie to obtain a first-place vote was Wolf. He does not have the stats that Hellebuyck and Thompson have, both historically or analytically, however he has arguably completed extra with much less in entrance of him.
Leaving the highest three is Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils. His document (21-9-5) and stats (.912 save share, 2.20 goals-against common) are stable, however he has been out with a knee harm since Jan. 22 and will stay out by the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
Selke Trophy (finest defensive ahead)
Chief: Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Finalists: Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils; Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
The excellent news for Reinhart is that he has a slowly constructing voting bloc that appreciates his defensive acumen, because the Florida Panthers ahead enters the highest three for the Selke after receiving just one first-place vote final month. Reinhart earned 25% of the first-place votes from our panel. He returns to the highest three after falling out final month.
The dangerous information is that he’ll have to beat linemate Barkov, who has received the Selke twice up to now 4 seasons, together with in 2023-24. Barkov stays the chief for this yr’s Selke with 60% of the first-place votes.
“Simply title the award after him already. He is the Finnish Patrice Bergeron,” stated one voter.
“He stays at one other stage along with his defensive stickwork. That and his misleading velocity are what set him aside,” stated one other voter.
There’s an analytic argument for Reinhart over Barkov for the Selke. The Panthers have a decrease goals-against per 60 minutes (1.76) with Reinhart on the ice this season than Barkov (1.88). The identical goes for anticipated targets towards for Reinhart (1.82) vs. Barkov (2.02). The Panthers have the next 5-on-5 save share (.926) with Reinhart on the ice than Barkov (.921). Clearly, it is all very shut and the 2 have performed nearly all of their time collectively — each additionally kill penalties — which makes parsing the numbers tougher.
Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs was a finalist final month however did not obtain a first-place vote this spherical. Changing him within the high three is Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils, who acquired 15% of the first-place votes. He was second for the Selke in 2022-23 and has been in that tier of gamers that might rise as much as win one quickly. The Devils have a 1.69 goals-against per 60 minutes with Hischier on the ice.
Alas, the Devils’ captain is at the moment week-to-week with an upper-body harm.
“That harm goes to have an effect on his standing right here, little doubt. And that is unhappy,” stated one voter.
Jordan Staal was the one different participant to obtain a number of first-place votes. The Carolina Hurricanes‘ captain has been looking for his first Selke win for 15 years and completed second for the award final season. The Hurricanes common 1.79 targets towards per 60 minutes with Staal on the ice.
Different gamers receiving first-place votes for the Selke have been Tampa Bay Lightning heart Anthony Cirelli, who was a finalist in December and Vegas Golden Knights heart Jack Eichel (the Knights quit only one.9 targets towards per 60 minutes with him on the ice). He additionally kills penalties successfully.
Girl Byng Trophy (gentlemanly play)
That is the half the place I point out that the Girl Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play ought to be voted on by the league’s on-ice officers or by the NHL Gamers’ Affiliation as a substitute of the PHWA.
Historically, this award goes to a participant with a top-20 level complete and the bottom penalty minutes amongst these gamers. Brayden Point is exterior the highest 20 in scoring (he’s twenty fifth) however has only one penalty in 46 video games. That is unbelievable! His lone penalty was Nov. 30 towards the Toronto Maple Leafs, a tripping minor. So, like, not even one of many nasty penalties.
Jack Adams Award (finest coach)
Word: The NHL Broadcasters’ Affiliation votes on this award.
Chief: Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Finalists: Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets; Dean Evason, Columbus Blue Jackets
The Washington Capitals stay close to the highest of the NHL, and Carbery continues to get the credit score for it. The second-year NHL head coach earned 85% of the first-place votes from our panel. That is down from his unanimous declare to the highest spot final month, however it makes him the heaviest favourite for any award on the poll.
“It is not even shut,” stated one voter.
A few of this love comes from the preseason expectations for the Capitals, which the staff has totally transcended.
“Present of fingers: Who had the Capitals in a legit battle for the Presidents’ Trophy by early February?” requested one voter. “When it is all going proper, you must credit score the frequent denominator behind the bench.”
Mentioned one other voter: “He is extracting each drop from that Caps staff, and it has been lots of enjoyable to look at. Curious how their fashion adapts when the postseason arrives, however we’ll cross that bridge once we get there.”
The Blue Jackets’ playoff push has resulted in Evason’s candidacy for the Jack Adams. Evason, in his first yr in Columbus, has helped lead his staff by palpable grief within the preseason to an surprising run to the Japanese Convention bubble. He earned 10% of the vote.
The one different coach to earn a first-place vote is Arniel, who has the Jets tangling with the Capitals for finest document within the league. However even one in every of his supporters could not resist the job that Carbery has completed.
“I’ve modified my vote from Scott Arniel to Spencer Carbery,” stated one voter. “Even when his staff was in an offensive droop, Carbery obtained probably the most out of his staff and now they’re scoring once more and successful, loads. He is galvanized the group and gotten probably the most out of each participant.”
