One of the final marquee events of every NHL season is the NHL Awards, a ceremony to honor those who had performances so outstanding during the year that they were considered the best in their respective positions. This event typically takes place between the end of the Stanley Cup Final but before the NHL Draft, and this year is no different, with the awards set to take place on Monday, June 26 in Nashville. There is always much debate over who should win the coveted trophies on the ballot every season, so let’s dive in and take a look at each award and the nominees.
I will preface by saying there are a few awards I will not be covering. I won’t be covering the GM of the Year Award as I personally prefer to focus on the awards involving the players and coaches. I will also not be evaluating the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award because it is voted on by the players and very similar to the Hart Trophy. Lastly, I won’t be discussing the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy either because the award is given to a player who has experienced a significant off-ice setback, and it does not feel right to subjectively debate what player had the “worst” personal situation.
Lady Byng Trophy
Description: Awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
Nominees: Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils), Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings), Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Jack Hughes was a driving point behind New Jersey’s resurgence this season. He led the Devils in scoring, with 43 goals and 56 assists for a grand total of 99 points in 78 games; he set a Devils’ point record for most points scored in a season and finished tied for 12th in the league in scoring. Despite leading the Devils in ice time with almost 20 minutes per game, he tallied 3 minor penalties the entire season. His stellar play combined with his ability to stay out of the penalty box is a major reason why the Devils were able to return to the playoffs for the first time in 5 years. A first-time finalist, he would be the first Devil to win the award in team history.
Kopitar is no stranger to this award, having won it in 2015-16 and receiving his third nomination this year. Kopitar, long considered one of the most gentlemanly players in the game, took only two minor penalties all season, and did so while appearing in all 82 regular season contests. He racked up 28 goals and 46 assists to lead his team in scoring, and led the Kings in ice time in all situations. His efforts helped get the Kings into the playoffs for the second straight year.
Brayden Point had yet another good season down in Tampa. He set a new career high in goals with 51 and points with 95, good for 14th in league scoring. He appeared in all 82 games for the Bolts, and garnered only seven penalty minutes all season even though he plays an integral role in Tampa Bay’s offense. However, five of those minutes are from a fighting major he took because an opposing player grabbed at him and tried to strip him of his helmet. Like Hughes, this is Point’s first nomination, but would be the first Lightning player to win in 10 years since Martin St. Louis took home the trophy in 2013.
Who should win: Hughes. Who will win: Hughes.
Some would argue that Point having a fighting major on his resume this season automatically disqualifies him from winning, but since he was not the instigator, I don’t have too much of an issue. While Kopitar and Point are much more established stars than Hughes, the Devils center had the best season of the three nominees, and he deserves to win.
Jack Adams Award
Description: Given to the coach selected to have contributed the most to his team’s success.
Nominees: Dave Hakstol (Seattle Kraken), Jim Montgomery (Boston Bruins), Lindy Ruff (New Jersey Devils)
Isn’t it interesting how people getting their first crack at head coaching in the NHL always seem to do so much better after leaving Philadelphia? First there was Craig Berube, now there’s our good old friend Dave Hakstol, who is receiving his first Jack Adams nomination. In their first year of existence last season, the Kraken did not even come close to replicating Vegas’ success as they were one of the worst teams in the league with only 27 wins and 60 points, but they experienced a re-birth this year. Under Hakstol’s tutelage, the Kraken were tenacious and hungry for improvement to the tune of a 46-26-8 record for 100 points; that’s a nearly 20 win and 40 point improvement for the Kraken, along with their first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance.
Also with his first nomination is Jim Montgomery. In his first year behind the Bruins’ bench, he took an already impressive team to new heights. With an outstanding record of 65-12-5, Montgomery’s Bruins cruised to the President’s Trophy handily, finishing with 22 more points than the second place team. They set NHL records for most wins and points (135) in a single season. They had the league’s best defense, ranking first in goals against per game (2.12) and the penalty kill (87.3%), and had the second best offense with 3.66 goals per game. Montgomery would be the first Bruins head coach since Bruce Cassidy in 2020 to win.
The veteran to this category is Lindy Ruff, for whom this is his 4th nomination. He guided the Devils to their best season in franchise history with a 52-22-8 record, good for 112 points and 3rd in the league. Their record this season is 25 wins and nearly 50 points better than their 27-46-9 record last year that saw them finish 28th in the standings. The Devils finished in the top five of several major statistics, including goals per game, shots per game, penalty kill, and shots against. This would be Ruff’s second win, having previously won this award with Buffalo in 2006.
Who should win: Ruff. Who will win: Montgomery.
I think who should win is a bit of a toss-up between Hakstol and Ruff, as both of them truly led their teams to vast improvements. By the numbers, Ruff had the better season of the two, but the Devils have a much better roster than Seattle. I tend to lean towards Ruff, however, I think the level of the Bruins’ dominance this year may be too much for the voters to ignore.
Calder Trophy
Description: Given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the NHL.
Nominees: Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken), Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres), Stuart Skinner (Edmonton Oilers)
Matty Beniers had a great rookie year in Seattle. The first ever draft pick for the Kraken, Beniers led all rookies in points (57), tied for the lead in goals (24), and was second in assists (33), while averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time. At the ripe age of 20, he is doing all of this as the Kraken’s first line center. His impact on the Kraken is hard to overstate – they are 29-5-3 when Beniers makes it onto the scoresheet. His arrival this season is one of the biggest reasons why Seattle had a tremendous turnaround from last season and made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time.
Owen Power is also a worthy finalist, playing on Buffalo’s second defense pair right out of the gate. The 1st overall pick in 2021, taken one pick ahead of fellow nominee Beniers, Power led all rookies in ice time (23:48 per game), led rookie defensemen in assists (31) and points (35), and was third in power-play points (8). Though the Sabres missed the playoffs, Power was one of the main reasons why Buffalo stayed in the hunt as long as they did. The Sabres were 20-5-3 when Power scored this season, indicating the impact their young defenseman has in their lineup. He will be a force on the Sabres’ blueline for years to come. Power would be the first Sabre to win the Calder since Tyler Myers in 2010.
Rounding out the finalists is goaltender Stuart Skinner. Skinner entered the year as the backup to Jack Campbell, who was signed to a big contract to be the Oilers’ starter. However, when Campbell faltered, Skinner stepped in and took the reins. He led rookie goalies in wins (29) and games (50), was third in save percentage (.914) and fifth in GAA (2.75). Skinner’s ability to stabilize the net as a rookie helped his hometown team earn second in the Pacific and a playoff spot. He would be the first Oiler to win and the first goalie to win since Steve Mason in 2009.
Who should win: Beniers or Skinner. Who will win: Beniers.
Skinner did an admirable job becoming the Oilers’ starting goalie unexpectedly, and he deserves a lot of credit for their performance this season. However, Beniers has been the favorite to win the award all season, so it so it shouldn’t shock anybody when he takes home the hardware.
Selke Trophy
Description: Given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game
Nominees: Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins), Nico Hischier (New Jersey Devils), Mitchell Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Surprise, surprise, Patrice Bergeron is nominated for the Selke Trophy. A finalist for this award for the 12th straight season and the winner of it last year, Bergeron continued to show why he is a perennial nominee this season. He ranked top 5 in several league faceoff stats, such as second in win percentage (61.1%), first in faceoffs taken (1,043), and 5th in defensive faceoff wins (61.8%). The Bruins captain also played a key role in the team’s unprecedented success this year, as his 58 points in 78 games were third on this team while also ranking second in blocked shots with 54, 4th in takeaways with 38, and third in shorthanded ice time (1:46 per game). He also had a whopping 59.4 shot attempts percentage. Bergeron has a solid chance to be the first back-to-back Selke winner since… himself in 2014 and 2015.
A first-time Selke finalist, Nico Hischier set career high in goals (31), assists (49), and points (80), good for 2nd on the Devils roster. In addition to his offensive improvements, the Devils’ captain shined on the defensive side of the puck as well, leading the Devils in shorthanded ice time per game (2:06), takeaways (64), while he was second in blocked shots (61), and third in faceoff percentage (53.9%). His strong two-way play in over 19 minutes per game was pivotal in New Jersey finishing second in their division and 3rd in the league. He would be the first Devil to win in over 20 years, since John Madden in 2001.
Another first-time nominee is Mitch Marner, who proved this season he is not only a scoring phenom, but a two-way threat as well. He recorded his second straight 30 goal season and set new career highs in assists (69) and points (99) in 80 games. Not much of a faceoff taker, Marner excels at play during 5-on-5, with a stellar 53.3% of shot attempts while on the ice. He led the Maple Leafs in takeaways with 104 and third in blocked shots with 45. Among, Maple Leaf forwards, Marner was first in ice time (21:17 per game), was second in shorthanded ice time (2:17 per game). He would be the first Maple Leaf to win since Doug Gilmour in 1993.
Who should win: Bergeron or Hischier. Who will win: Bergeron.
Hischier’s and Marner’s nominations represent a shift to the next generation of two-way forwards making their mark on the NHL. Both have legs up on Bergeron in terms of ice time and points this season, but Bergeron’s reputation precedes him. Considering it’s possible he may have already finished his NHL swan song, I find it hard to believe that the voters will not give it to Bergeron, who would win it for a record sixth time.
Vezina Trophy
Description: Given to the goalkeeper selected to be the best at the position.
Nominees: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets), Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders), Linus Ullmark (Boston Bruins)
Connor Hellebuyck is among the league’s best goaltenders, and continued to prove why this season. He had a 37-25-2 record in 64 games this year, along with a 2.49 GAA, .920 save percentage, and 4 shutouts. He was third in shots faced (1,964) and second in saves made (1,807) this season. He was particularly exquisite down the stretch for the Jets, starting 13 consecutive games and going 8-5-0 with a 1.93 GAA, .927 save percentage, and a shutout to help the Jets clinch a playoff berth in their second-to-last game of the season. He was magnificent night in and night out for the Jets. This is Hellebuyck’s third nomination for the Vezina, and previously won the award in 2020.
Ilya Sorokin had great year on Long Island. In 62 games, he went 31-22-7 with a 2.37 GAA and .924 save percentage, while leading the NHL in shutouts with 6. Of all the nominees, Sorokin had he worst team in front of him; the Islanders’ netminder had 25 games with at least 30 saves, and 7 games with at least 40. Coupled with the Islanders having the 22nd-ranked offense in the NHL, it’s clear that their young Russian goalie was relied upon greatly. Sorokin was far and away the Islanders’ best player this season and the main reason why they were able to secure the first wild card spot in the East. This is Sorokin’s first Vezina nomination and would be the first Islander to win since Bill Smith in 1982.
Another first-time nominee, Linus Ullmark had an outstanding year in Boston. In 49 games, he led the league in goals against average (1.89), save percentage (.938), and was tied for most wins (40). Along with Jeremy Swayman, he won the William Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed during the season with 177. Ullmark’s efforts were a factor in the Bruins to the President’s Trophy this year. Oh, and he scored a goal this season, becoming only the 14th netminder to do so in NHL history. He would be the first Bruin to win the Vezina in nearly a decade, since Tuukka Rask won in 2014.
Who should win: Sorokin. Who will win: Ullmark.
Though Hellebuyck and Sorokin don’t have numbers as impressive as Ullmark’s, they appeared in significantly more contests than Boston’s netminder. Sorokin had a particularly shoddy team playing in front of him, where at least Hellebuyck has bona fide goal scorers such as Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, and Ullmark had an immensely talented Bruins lineup from top to bottom in front of him. However, Ullmark’s numbers are incredibly impressive, and he has been the favorite all season.
Norris Trophy
Description: Given to the defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position.
Nominees: Adam Fox (New York Rangers), Erik Karlsson (San Jose Sharks), Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
Adam Fox had another stellar season on the Blueshirts’ blueline. The Rangers defenseman scored 72 points (12 goals, 60 assist) in 82 goals, good for eighth in the league and led his team in ice time per game (24:23). He was only on the ice for 54 goals against at even strength over the course of the whole season, a testament to how well he plays. Fox helped the Rangers secure a playoff berth for the third time in four seasons. He previously won the Norris in 2021.
Although Erik Karlsson is a five-time finalist and two-time winner of the Norris, it’s been a while since we’ve seen him here. After missing significant time over the last several seasons due to injury, Karlsson experienced a career resurgence like no other. He played every game for the first time in 7 seasons and did so in historic fashion. He exploded for 25 goals and 76 points to give him 101 points, becoming only the 6th NHL defenseman in history to score over 100 points in a season and the first since Brian Leetch in 1991-1992. He was also fifth in the league in ice time per game (25:37) and also scored a hat trick. Though the Sharks did not qualify for the playoffs, Karlsson did set a Sharks record for a 14-game point streak.
Cale Makar is also no stranger to this award, as the defending Norris winner. A stalwart on the Avalanche blueline, Makar scored 66 points (17 goals, 49 assist) in 60 contests this season, which ranked ninth among defensemen. This year, he became the fastest defenseman in league history to reach the 200 point mark, doing so in his 195th NHL game. Despite missing a portion of the season due to injury, his 1.10 points per game ranked second in the league behind only Karlsson, led the league in average ice time per game (26:23), and helped the Avalanche capture the Central Division crown.
Who should win: Karlsson. Who will win: Karlsson.
This is the only award this year where all the nominees have won the award previously in their careers, which makes for an especially interesting race. However, Makar missing a significant portion of the season hinders him here, and while Fox certainly had a fantastic season, Karlsson recorded the best individual season by a blueliner in over 30 years; he should be rewarded with his third Norris win.
Hart Trophy
Description: Given to the player selected to be the most valuable to his team.
Nominees: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers)
It should come as no surprise to see Connor McDavid nominated yet again, as he’s widely regarded as the best player in the world right now. He led the NHL in scoring for the third consecutive season with 153 points (64 goals, 89 assists) in 82 games. He becomes the sixth player in NHL history to score 150 points in a season, and the first to do so since Mario Lemieux in 1996. The Oilers’ captain’s efforts guided the way for the Oilers to a 50-23-9 record and their fourth straight postseason.
David Pastrnak had an incredible year that saw him receive his first Hart Trophy nomination. Pastrnak racked up 61 goals, the only other player besides McDavid to reach the 60-goal mark this season. He was tied for 3rd in the league in points with 113 and reached a new career high in assists with 52. He was one of the biggest pieces to a Bruins team that not only won the President’s Trophy as the best team in the league this season, but had the best regular season record in NHL history with a record of 65-12-5. He would be the first Bruin to win the award since Phil Esposito in 1974.
Last but not least is Matthew Tkachuk, who is also enjoying his first Hart nomination. After spending his entire career in Calgary prior to last season, Tkachuk was traded to Florida in the offseason and started his Panthers tenure with a bang. He exploded for a career high 69 assists and 109 points, along with his second straight 40-goal season. He was crucial to the Panthers clinching the final wild card spot in the East by scoring 12 points over the team’s last 8 games of the season, en route to Florida’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance in nearly 30 years. He would be the first Panther to ever win the award.
Who should win: McDavid. Who will win: McDavid.
This one doesn’t require any explanation. A two-time winner of this award already, McDavid should handily win his third as he just had the best single season by a player in nearly 30 years and finished with 25 more points than the next-closest league scorer, Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl. Pastrnak and Tkachuk both had incredible years, but McDavid was just on another level.
All image credit to NHL.
brotherlypuck.com 