NHL Awards Watch: The Races Heating Up
The NHL rookie of the year battle is shaping up to be one for the ages, as Philadelphia Flyers sensation Matvei Michkov and San Jose Sharks first overall pick Macklin Celebrini go head-to-head in a thrilling Calder Trophy race. According to awards voters, this showdown could be one for the history books.
But the Calder isn’t the only award race that’s heating up. Just two months into the season, several postseason hardware battles are becoming nail-biters. While some early favorites are holding strong, others are being challenged by rising stars and unexpected contenders. And then there’s the Hart Trophy race, where one MVP candidate is leaving everyone else in the dust.
To get a sense of where things stand, we polled a wide selection of Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) voters anonymously. These voters decide the finalists for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke, and Lady Byng trophies. Meanwhile, broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams Award, and general managers handle the Vezina Trophy. All stats referenced are courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com, Natural Stat Trick, and Evolving Hockey.
Art Ross Trophy (Points Leader)
Click here for the updated point-scoring standings.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (Goal Leader)
Click here for the updated goal-scoring standings.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Leader: Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild
Finalists: Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights; Martin Necas, Carolina Hurricanes
Kirill Kaprizov, aka “Kirill The Thrill,” is dominating the Hart Trophy race. He’s widened his lead from 78% of first-place votes last month to a staggering 88% this month. With 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 26 games, Kaprizov is the driving force behind the Wild’s surprising .741 points percentage and their rise to the top of the Western Conference.
One voter summed it up: “He’s got hella game-winning goals, tiebreaking points, and third-period points.” Another added, “The Hart is Kaprizov’s to lose.”
But don’t count out Martin Necas, who has tied Kaprizov in points (42 in 27 games) and is having a breakout season for the Hurricanes. Jack Eichel is also in the mix, leading the Golden Knights with 11 more points than his closest teammate. Other names mentioned include Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sam Reinhart.
Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Leader: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Finalists: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Cale Makar is running away with the Norris Trophy race, earning 75% of first-place votes. With 35 points in 29 games, including nine goals, Makar is on pace to become just the seventh defenseman in NHL history to break 100 points in a season. Voters are also impressed with his defensive responsibilities, as he’s taken on a primary matchup role for Colorado.
Quinn Hughes is hot on Makar’s heels, with 32 points in 26 games and a slightly higher points-per-game average (1.23 vs. Makar’s 1.21). Zach Werenski is also making waves, leading all defensemen in ice time and contributing in all three zones for the Blue Jackets.
Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Leader: Matvei Michkov, Philadelphia Flyers
Finalists: Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks; Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames
Matvei Michkov has taken the lead in the Calder race, earning 56% of first-place votes. The Flyers rookie has 25 points in 26 games, including three overtime game-winners. But Macklin Celebrini is closing in fast. Despite missing time due to injury, the Sharks’ first overall pick has 15 points in 18 games and is making a strong case for himself.
Meanwhile, Dustin Wolf is quietly having an outstanding season for the Flames, earning a first-place vote and praise for his steady play in net.
Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Leader: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Finalists: Lukas Dostal, Anaheim Ducks; Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild
Connor Hellebuyck remains the favorite for the Vezina, but Filip Gustavsson is making a strong push. Hellebuyck has a .925 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average, while Gustavsson boasts a .931 save percentage and a 1.99 GAA. Lukas Dostal is also earning recognition for his stellar play on a struggling Ducks team.
Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)
Leader: Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Finalists: Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning; Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov is the frontrunner for the Selke, but his teammate Sam Reinhart is gaining ground. Reinhart’s defensive metrics are among the best in the league, and his offensive output (19 goals, 19 assists) is turning heads. Anthony Cirelli is also in the mix, earning praise for his two-way play with the Lightning.
Jack Adams Award (Best Coach)
Leader: Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Finalists: Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets; John Hynes, Minnesota Wild
Spencer Carbery is the clear favorite for the Jack Adams Award, leading the Capitals to a 6-2-1 record without Alex Ovechkin. Scott Arniel and John Hynes are also receiving recognition for their teams’ strong starts, but Carbery’s ability to keep the Capitals competitive despite injuries has set him apart.
Originally Written by: Greg Wyshynski
