The day has finally come! Another NHL season has arrived, so to celebrate, I am going to release my award predictions for this season.
Calder Memorial Trophy: Cale Makar
We got our first look at Makar in last year's playoffs when he made his debut against the Calgary Flames. He went on to play 10 games with the Avalanche in the playoffs, recording 1 goal and 5 assists. Days before his NHL debut, he was awarded the Hobey Baker Award for being the best collegiate player in the NCAA. With the departure of Tyson Barrie, Makar will get the opportunity to play top line minutes for the Avs, who already have one of the most skilled rosters in the league. The 20-year-old will have an explosive rookie season and will play a large role in Colorado's success.
Runner up: Kaapo Kakko
Kakko will be coming into this season looking to prove to everyone that he should have been drafted first overall. He played professional hockey in Finland last year and recorded 22 goals and 38 points in 45 games, so he has already proven that he can hold his own against grown men, despite being just 18 years old. It is likely that Kakko will also find himself on the play power play, which should increase his potential production.
Third place: Jack Hughes
The first overall pick from the 2019 entry draft, Hughes will be out to prove to the Devils that they made right choice in selecting him. Hughes is a fast, skilled forward with excellent on-ice vision and will, no doubt, go on to have a very successful career. He displayed his ability to perform well against tough competition this spring by recording three assists in seven games with Team USA at the World Hockey Championship. The 18-year-old will most likely get some playing time with Taylor Hall, which could be a big boost to Hughes' point production this season.
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Morgan Reilly
The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised for another impressive season and a large part of that will be due to the play of Morgan Reilly. Some would argue that Reilly was robbed of this award last season after enjoying his best year to date, crushing his previous career high of 52 points. In 2018-2019 he recorded 20 goals and 72 points in 82 games, helping Toronto to a 100 point season and their third straight playoff berth. As long as Reilly stays healthy, he has a very good chance at walking away from the NHL Awards with the Norris trophy in June.
Runner Up: Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson battled injuries last season, which lead to a major decrease in production compared to what we have seen in previous years. On top of that, he was also adjusting to a brand new team and a new city. If Karlsson can get back to being the dominant force that he was in Ottawa, he will have another strong season. But in this case, he comes up just a little short.
Third Place: Victor Hedman
Coming off one of the best seasons in NHL history, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be looking to repeat their impressive season and Victor Hedman will play a large part in it. Recording 54 points in 70 games last season, Hedman will look to build off that success. Unfortunately for Hedman, he finishes third in Norris voting.
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Aleksander Barkov
Last season, Barkov scored 96 points in 82 games, surpassing his previous career high of 78. He is becoming a serious offensive threat, but what makes him so valuable is his defensive acumen. He is a fantastic player in his own end, with his ability to strip his opponents of the puck and convert those turnovers into offensive opportunities. Barkov finished second in the league for takeaways with 100. He is a true, 200 foot player and that makes him the frontrunner for the Selke Trophy in June.
Runner Up: Ryan O'Reilly
O'Reilly won this award last season, along with the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy. He was one of the main reasons that St. Louis had the success that they did last season. The most important aspect of O'Reilly's game is he is a face off specialist, especially in his own zone. Last season O'Reilly finished 4th in the league in takeaways and was +22 for the season.
Third place: Patrice Bergeron
It is hard to talk about the Selke Trophy without talking about Patrice Bergeron as well. He has won the trophy four times already and will have a good chance at his fifth this year. Last season was Bergeron's 15th season of his career and he proved he could still produce offensively, putting up 79 points in 65 games. He was also +23 and had a faceoff winning percentage of 56.6%. As arguably the best two-way forward in the league, the race will remain close, but Bergeron has to pass the torch eventually. Perhaps Barkov picks up where Bergeron left off.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Aleksander Barkov
On top of winning the Selke, Barkov will also win the Lady Byng trophy as the most gentlemanly player. This will be his second time winning this trophy, last year being the first. His 96 point season was impressive, but what was more impressive was the fact that he only took 4 minor penalties and drew 34 last season, this was the fewest among the NHL's top 50 scorers.
Runner Up: Johnny Gaudreau
Gaudreau won this award in the 2016-2017 season where he only recorded 4 penalty minutes the entire season. Although his penalty minutes have increased over the last few seasons, Gaudreau has yet to reach even 30 penalty minutes in a season yet. With his point totals increasing every year and his penalty minutes staying near the lowest in the league, it won't be a surprise to see Johnny Hockey as a finalist for the Lady Byng.
Third Place: Ryan O'Reilly
O'Reilly has won this award before and will make a strong case to win it again this season. He is a player who works hard every night, produces offensively, and exemplifies great sportsmanship on the ice. Last season he had only 12 penalty minutes to go along with his 77 points.
Vezina Trophy: Andrei Vasilevskiy
After a disappointing first round sweep at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, the Lightning and Vasilevskiy will have extra motivation this year. Vasilevskiy will be looking to win his 2nd Vezina Trophy in as many years.
Runner Up: Sergei Bobrovsky
With the chance to thrive on a new team and a new $70 million contract, Bobrovsky will look to have another impressive season. Bobrovsky's play will also be a huge factor in whether the Panthers make the playoffs or not. If the Panthers fail to make the playoffs, that may have an effect on Bob walking off with his third Vezina Trophy.
Third Place: Ben Bishop
Last season, Bishop lead the lead the league in save percentage, was second in goals against average and finished third in shutouts with 7. Bishop's superior performance cemented him as a finalist for the Vezina last season. It won't come as a surprise to see Bishop nominated for the award again this season.
Ted Lindsay Award: Connor McDavid
McDavid has already won this award twice along with being a finalist for it last season. Whether or not the Oilers struggle this season, you can almost guarantee that McDavid will have another 100 point season and another Ted Lindsay nomination. The only concern with McDavid right now is his health. McDavid only recently returned from a serious knee injury which required serious rehab during the offseason.
Runner Up: Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon is quickly rising in the ranks as one of the best players in the world. Recording 97 and 99 points in the last two seasons respectively, this could be the year that he finally breaks that elusive 100 point mark.
Third Place: Nikita Kucherov
Kucherov is another player that is making a case for best player in the world. Last season he exploded with 128 points; a total that hasn't been seen since the 2005-2006 season. He took home the Ted Lindsay last season and will definitely make a case for winning the award again this season. Unfortunately for Kucherov, Connor McDavid remains healthy this season and runs away with the votes.
Hart Memorial Trophy: Connor McDavid
The Hart Trophy is awarded to the player who is most valuable to his team, Connor McDavid has been the most valuable player to the Oilers since he first entered the league. If the Oilers have even a slight chance at making the playoffs this season, it will be because of McDavid.
Runner Up: Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon looks to have another monster year and Colorado's chances at the playoffs rely heavily on him. He has proven that he is able to perform in all situations and in a tough Central Division, that is exactly what the Avalanche will need.
Third Place: Aleksander Barkov
Barkov is going to be a very important piece in the Florida Panthers' line up for many years to come. The Panthers are starting to look like a real threat to not only make the playoffs, but also to do some damage there. A lot of the responsibility will rest on the shoulders of Barkov. With his point totals increasing every season and his defensive game getting better with every game, Barkov will be very valuable to the Panthers and their hopes of making the playoffs.
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy:
Leon Draisaitl: 52 goals
Alexander Ovechkin: 50 goals
Steven Stamkos: 47 goals
Art Ross Trophy:
Connor McDavid: 119 points
Nathan MacKinnon: 107 points
Nikita Kucherov: 104 points
