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Greg WyshynskiMar 13, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
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- Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL creator.
Whilst the Stanley Cup playoffs races stay tight and delightfully chaotic, the races for the NHL Awards have additionally observed some primary shifts since final month: There is a new chief for MVP and for the league’s best possible defenseman.
Welcome to the NHL Awards Look forward to March. We now have polled a big selection of Skilled Hockey Writers Affiliation electorate anonymously to get a way of the place the wind is blowing for the present leaders. We now have made positive it is a pass segment from all the league, looking to acquire as many views as conceivable.
Take into accout that the PHWA votes for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Girl Byng finalists, broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams, and normal managers deal with the Vezina.
All stats are from Hockey-Reference.com, Herbal Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.
Bounce forward:
Ross | Richard | Hart
Norris | Selke | Vezina
Calder | Byng | Adams
Artwork Ross Trophy (aspects chief)
Click on right here for the up to date point-scoring standings.
Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy
Click on right here for the up to date goal-scoring standings.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Chief: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Finalists: Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Nathan MacKinnon takes the MVP lead again from Connor Hellebuyck, who had a tenuous take hold of at the peak spot final month.
MacKinnon is attempting to develop into the 1st back-to-back league MVP since Alex Ovechkin from 2007-08 to 2008-09. Since 1980, most effective 3 gamers have captured the Hart in consecutive seasons: Ovechkin, Dominik Hasek (1996-97, 1997-98) and Wayne Gretzky, who went on a run of 8 instantly league MVPs from 1979 thru 1987. That is the degree of achievement MacKinnon is attempting to perform right here.
He is additionally looking to do one thing for the 1st time in his profession: win the Artwork Ross Trophy because the NHL’s main aspects manufacturer. He was once 2nd to Nikita Kucherov (144 aspects) final season regardless of a career-high 140 aspects. That MacKinnon is threatening the scoring lead after the Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen in January has reinforced his MVP credentials. So has the truth that he has became Martin Necas right into a greater than applicable substitute.
“Extremely constant and so an important to Colorado’s luck this season,” one voter stated.
“Colorado does not get sufficient credit score for being the place they’re regardless of having brutal intensity and horrible goaltending for the 1st 8 weeks of the season,” any other voter defined.
MacKinnon had 33% of the first-place votes at the ballots we surveyed. It is not a runaway in anyway.
Nathan MacKinnon has given Avalanche enthusiasts masses to cheer about this season. Michael Martin/NHLI by way of Getty Pictures
Proper at the back of him with round 26% of the first-place votes is Leon Draisaitl. The Edmonton superstar has had a relaxed lead within the NHL goal-scoring race all season — whilst he led the NHL in aspects again in 2019-20, he hasn’t ever received the Rocket Richard Trophy for objectives. The season Draisaitl received the Artwork Ross could also be the one time he captured the Hart Trophy, even though that is comprehensible when Connor McDavid — three-time MVP, six-time finalist — is in your group.
“MacKinnon is on tempo to win his 2nd Hart Trophy in a row however Leon Draisaitl is not a long way at the back of,” a MacKinnon voter stated.
“This award nonetheless turns out very a lot up for grabs. I stay turn flopping right here,” a Draisaitl voter quipped.
What Draisaitl has going for him: a robust analytics case, main the NHL in objectives scored above substitute, consistent with Evolving Hockey.
Editor’s Choices
2 Comparable
Hellebuyck, final month’s chief, nonetheless has a ton of give a boost to, with 22% of the first-place votes. He has led the NHL in conventional goalie stats all season. Cash Puck has him main in objectives stored above anticipated, whilst Stathletes has him within the peak 3.
The NHL hasn’t had a goalie win MVP since Montreal’s Carey Worth in 2014-15.
“There’s a 0 % probability Winnipeg is the most productive group within the league at this time if no longer for Hellebuyck. That is plain,” a Hellebuyck voter declared.
That is the peak 3, however there are two different gamers who won first-place votes as neatly.
Certainly one of them is Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a group with possibly probably the most uplifting tale of the playoff race. He leads his group in scoring and has performed just about 27 mins consistent with recreation this season, doing the whole thing to lift the Jackets to an not likely postseason push.
A defenseman hasn’t received the Hart since Chris Pronger captured the MVP with the St. Louis Blues in 1999-2000.
The opposite participant within the combine is Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who has a points-per-game argument in opposition to MacKinnon’s level totals this season. Kucherov additionally has a large lead in his personal group’s scoring race, with an opening that was once not too long ago greater than 20 aspects forward of Brandon Hagel and Brayden Level.
“There may be sufficient racetrack left for Tampa’s darkish horse to present electorate little selection however to no less than imagine him a valid race finalist,” a Kucherov backer famous.
Norris Trophy (peak defenseman)
Chief: Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Finalists: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
For the 1st time this season, Zach Werenski is the chief for the Norris Trophy. Quinn Hughes were the established chief for the award all over the season, incomes 45% of the first-place votes final month. However Hughes has performed most effective 3 video games since Jan. 31, and his restricted video games performed vs. the opposite Norris applicants has dropped him down the scores.
“Hughes had it locked up ahead of his damage,” a voter concluded.
Werenski, in the meantime, is having his second. Whether or not it is the Jackets’ implausible tale, the Stadium Collection highlight or his play within the 4 Countries Face-Off, Werenski’s superstar is emerging on the proper time, and he has the stats to again up his case.
“I am at the Zach Werenski educate. He is a large, giant reason why for why the Blue Jackets are nonetheless on this factor,” a voter famous
“The Blue Jackets? A playoff group? Now not with out Werenski taking part in the best way he has,” any other voter stated.
“Werenski has been implausible, however it is a three-horse race between him, Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar,” any other voter presented.
Werenski earned 48% of the first-place votes from the ballots we surveyed. That is simply probably the most awards buzz Werenski has gotten, as he has up to now positioned most effective as excessive as 8th within the Norris vote casting.
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0:44
Zach Werenski notches short-handed target for Columbus Blue Jackets
Zach Werenski notches short-handed target for Columbus Blue Jackets
Any person who’s used to awards buzz is Makar, who has been a Norris finalist 4 instantly seasons and received the award in 2021-22. The Colorado blueliner snatched the scoring lead amongst defensemen and hasn’t seemed again, skating over 25 mins consistent with recreation. Makar had 41% of the first-place votes.
“Makar is as just right because it will get at the blue line,” a voter declared.
“Makar has been very good all season,” any other voter presented.
That stated, some Makar electorate recognize there are mitigating cases right here. “It is Makar, however most effective as a result of accidents have harm Quinn Hughes’ season,” a voter recommended.
Others are glancing over their shoulders at what Werenski is doing.
“A overdue push from Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets may just sway this voter,” they stated.
“Werenski is now No. 2 with a bullet for me,” a Makar voter showed.
Hughes nonetheless has some true believers in his nook, incomes the remainder of the first-place votes. Earlier than his damage, Hughes was once construction a case for the Hart Trophy in addition to his 2nd instantly Norris Trophy.
Calder Trophy (peak rookie)
Chief: Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Finalists: Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens; Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames
The similar peak 3 as final month’s Awards Watch, and with the similar rating: Macklin Celebrini leads, with Dustin Wolf subsequent and Lane Hutson at the back of him. However the race continues to tighten.
Celebrini, 18, has observed his first-place vote percentage pass from 90% to 60% to now 48% this month — nonetheless a large merit, however different novices are obviously invited to the celebration. Celebrini has been across the rookie lead in objectives and aspects, and has frequently led in aspects consistent with recreation after having neglected a while previous this season.
“That is Macklin Celebrini’s to lose and I do not believe he’ll,” a voter proposed.
“Celebrini’s all-around affect at the recreation is plain. Each and every time I watch a Sharks recreation, I am amazed via how polished his recreation is,” any other voter admitted. “He is a borderline elite NHL participant at 18 years previous.”
“The race is also tightening, however I nonetheless lean towards probably the most dynamic presence taking part in at the worst group,” any other voter printed.
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0:24
Macklin Celebrini notches his twentieth target of the season
Macklin Celebrini tallies his twentieth target of the season regardless of the Sharks’ giant deficit.
Wolf has solidified his case as the most productive rookie goaltender — there is no longer in reality somebody else within the dialog at this level — but in addition because the MVP of the Flames’ playoff push. His conventional stats are robust, and he is simply out of doors the highest 10 in objectives stored above anticipated. The final rookie goalie to win the Calder was once Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008-09.
“If the Flames make the playoffs, there is a official probability,” a voter famous.
“If we are speaking about who has actually been the most productive acting rookie over the stability of the season, it needs to be Dustin Wolf,” any other voter argued. “What he is accomplished in Calgary is exceptional and he is the one rookie within the dialogue who is been constantly on the peak of his recreation all yr.”
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Like Wolf with goalies, Hutson is lapping the sector amongst rookie defensemen. He is additionally a significant risk to steer all novices in scoring as a defenseman, one thing Quinn Hughes did in 2019-20 — even though he completed 2nd within the Calder race to Makar that season.
Hutson has been a highlight-generating blueliner for the Canadiens. He earned 11% of the first-place votes.
“Hutson’s simply been an absolute power,” a voter quipped.
“He is been a large a part of Montreal’s unexpected season,” any other voter identified.
The remainder of the first-place votes went to Matvei Michkov, who dropped out of the highest 3 for the Calder final month. He is nonetheless very a lot within the race for many aspects and objectives. However the “difficult love” from trainer John Tortorella this season, which has integrated a wholesome scratch and benchings, may have created the belief that there are holes in his recreation.
“I’ve time for all of those novices. Michkov is a robust No. 4 man,” a voter presented.
Vezina Trophy (peak goaltender)
Observe: The NHL’s normal managers vote for this award.
Chief: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Finalists: Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals; Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
It is Connor Hellebuyck for the Vezina. It is unanimous (no less than if the PHWA voted in this one).
Each and every voter we surveyed had Hellebuyck atop their ballots, bringing up his dominating statistical season and his significance to the Jets’ push for the convention identify. Hellebuyck received the Vezina for the second one time in his profession final season. The final goalie to win no less than 3 Vezina trophies was once Corridor of Famer Martin Brodeur, who was once additionally the final goalie to win back-to-back Vezinas.
“It is nonetheless Connor Hellebuyck’s international and we are all simply attempting to not glance foolish making an attempt to attain in it,” a voter defined.
“Absolute best goaltender on this planet and I do not believe it is in particular shut,” any other voter declared.
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0:28
Connor Hellebuyck locks in with attention-grabbing warmup method
USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will get able for the 4 Countries Face-Off championship in opposition to Canada with an enchanting warmup.
Logan Thompson made the highest 3 final month or even syphoned off give a boost to from Hellebuyck, incomes 15% of the first-place votes. He has been exceptional for the Capitals, who’ve traded the league lead in aspects with Hellebuyck’s Jets for many of the season. Thompson won probably the most down-ballot give a boost to, if no longer a first-place vote.
“Hellebuyck is the best choice right here. Thompson has been nice, however he is simply no longer in the similar realm,” a voter concluded.
Dustin Wolf was once the 3rd selection final month, however it is transparent that Andrei Vasilevskiy has entered the chat. The Lightning goalie, who received the Vezina in 2018-19, has frequently gotten higher because the season has long past on for Tampa Bay. He was once 18-7-2 from December thru February.
Selke Trophy (best possible defensive ahead)
Chief: Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Finalists: Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs; Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
At this time, apparently that Aleksander Barkov will proceed his Patrice Bergeron-like run as the most productive defensive ahead within the NHL. The Panthers superstar earned 56% of the first-place votes, which was once most effective quite down from final month’s 60%.
“Selke Sasha. I feel we have now discovered a brand new nickname for Barkov,” one voter joked. “It is his award now, proper?”
Barkov received the Selke for the second one time final season. He has received the award two times up to now 4 seasons, damaged up via Bergeron’s back-to-back Selke wins from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
However he isn’t the one Panthers participant within the combine for the Selke. Sam Reinhart has spectacular underlying numbers, some higher than teammate Barkov’s.
“Reinhart has higher on-ice affects on anticipated objectives and objectives in opposition to charge. He was once very good when Barkov was once out. He merits the nod this yr over his teammate,” a voter defined.
Some other Reinhart voter declared: “Give it to a winger!”
That is a worthy target in Selke vote casting, equipped there is a worthy candidate. Facilities have received the Selke each season since 2002-03, when proper wing Jere Lehtinen of the Dallas Stars captured the award. However Reinhart is not the one winger with some give a boost to. Mitch Marner won the next-most first-place votes.
“I am tempted to position Marner right here,” a Barkov voter printed.
“He someway manages to be underrated, out of doors of Toronto,” a Marner voter famous.
Along with offensive manufacturing, Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner could also be a defensive dynamo. Andre Ringuette/NHLI by way of Getty Pictures
The opposite 3 gamers to obtain first-place votes had been middle Jordan Staal, the Carolina Hurricanes captain who has been looking for his first Selke win for 15 years and completed 2nd for the award final season; Tampa Bay Lightning middle Anthony Cirelli; and, rather unusually, Washington Capitals middle Pierre-Luc Dubois.
“He is a sleeper that would get some votes. Actually taking part in a shutdown, two-way recreation,” a voter presented.
Additionally receiving some love down the ballots: New Jersey Devils middle Nico Hischier, Vegas Golden Knights middle Jack Eichel and winger Mark Stone, and Flyers winger Noah Cates. Hischier was once within the peak 3 final month.
Girl Byng Trophy (gentlemanly play)
That is the phase the place I point out that the Girl Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play must be voted on via the league’s on-ice officers or via the NHL Avid gamers’ Affiliation as a substitute of the PHWA.
Historically, this award is going to a participant with a top-20 level overall and the bottom penalty mins amongst the ones gamers.
Brayden Level of the Lightning had simply two penalty mins in his first 58 video games of the season. Jack Eichel of the Golden Knights has a shot, having accrued most effective six penalty mins thru his first 61 video games.
Jack Adams Award (best possible trainer)
Observe: The NHL Broadcasters’ Affiliation votes in this award.
Chief: Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Finalists: Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets; Dean Evason, Columbus Blue Jackets
The highest 3 of final month’s NHL Awards Watch stay the highest 3 this month.
Spencer Carbery won 63% of the first-place votes, getting the vast majority of the credit score for the Capitals’ ascent from bubble group final season to peak of the NHL this season.
“Carbery, and it isn’t even shut,” a voter concluded.
“Each and every time the Capitals trace at wobbling slightly, they temporarily veer again not off course,” any other voter defined. “Carbery merits quite a lot of credit score for retaining his group considering by no means shedding their momentum from season’s get started.”
“Carbery is having a masterful yr and is urgent all of the proper buttons,” any other voter proposed.
“Washington has been ready to maintain their play all season and Carbery’s machine has obviously introduced the most productive out of many gamers,” any other voter presented.
Spencer Carbery is liked via many to win the Jack Adams Award because the NHL’s peak trainer. John McCreary/NHLI by way of Getty Pictures
However a handful of Carbery electorate stated that if there is one trainer that would move him within the Jack Adams race, it could be Dean Evason, who has led the Blue Jackets from the unthinkable tragedy of Johnny Gaudreau’s loss of life to a possible playoff berth.
“It appears like Dean Evason is Carbery’s most effective pageant,” a voter famous.
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“It is nonetheless tricky to not give the brink to Carbery, however at what level can we wish to get started acknowledging the process Dean Evason has accomplished in Columbus?” any other voter contemplated. “Shedding arguably their best possible participant to a horrific tragedy ahead of a season that was once already seen as a playoff longshot and take a look at them now.”
Evason earned 15% of the first-place votes.
Score 3rd was once Scott Arniel. Like Evason, he is in his first season as head trainer of his present group, even though he had earlier NHL revel in. The Jets were close to the highest of the NHL all season. Whilst Hellebuyck merits numerous credit score for that, the Jets’ offense has additionally been super.
Additionally receiving a first-place vote: Jon Cooper of the Lightning, who hasn’t ever received the Jack Adams in his a hit profession in Tampa Bay. “I do know Carbery is the most probably front-runner right here as a result of Washington’s luck has been surprising, however did any one actually be expecting the Lightning to be some of the peak defensive groups after how final yr went?” one voter requested.
The house stretch is right here for all of those awards contenders. There may be nonetheless a variety of time for those races to shift.
