Some NHL awards races are precise races. There are leaders, however ones who’re wanting over their shoulders at a pack of candidates closing in quick.
Other NHL awards races presently have a look at lot like when Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt would race: Everyone is simply going to need to be content material with second place as a result of their leads are that insurmountable.
Again, the operative phrase is “presently.” This is the NHL Awards Watch for January. We have numerous season to go.
We’ve polled a wide array of Professional Hockey Writers Association voters anonymously to get a way of the place the wind is blowing for the present leaders. We’ve made positive it is a cross-section from the complete league, making an attempt to realize as many views as doable.
Bear in thoughts that the PHWA votes for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Lady Byng finalists, broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams, and common managers deal with the Vezina.
All stats are from Hockey-Reference.com, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.
Jump forward:
Ross | Richard | Hart
Norris | Selke | Vezina
Calder | Byng | Adams
Art 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)
Leader: Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild
Finalists: Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
A few issues occurred for the reason that final NHL Awards Watch.
After main the MVP race final month, Kaprizov’s lower-body harm put him out of the Wild lineup. He has missed six of Minnesota’s 40 video games this season. His stats stay stellar — 23 targets and 27 assists — however different Hart contenders have not missed as many video games.
The different important taking place was the whole lot of MacKinnon’s December. The Avalanche star had seven targets and 18 assists in 13 video games, serving to Colorado go 10-3-0 whereas being named the NHL’s first star for the month. Through 41 video games, MacKinnon leads the NHL with 66 factors and 52 assists and leads the Avalanche in scoring by eight factors over Mikko Rantanen.
MacKinnon gained the Hart final season. The NHL hasn’t had back-to-back MVPs since Alex Ovechkin gained the award in 2007-08 and 2008-09. The means MacKinnon’s going, it may occur once more.
And but Kaprizov nonetheless received the vast majority of the first-place votes from these canvassed this month.
“In the true spirit of the award, there’s simply no means Minnesota is wherever near the unexpectedly good staff they’re this 12 months with out Kaprizov,” a voter mentioned.
But the MVP race behind the Wild star has modified dramatically. Last month, Kaprizov completed atop the Hart straw ballot with 88% of the first-place votes. This month, he earned solely 37%. MacKinnon is true behind him. So are the opposite gamers who obtained first-place votes this month: Draisaitl, Vegas Golden Knights heart Jack Eichel, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner. All of them have compelling MVP instances.
“It’s getting crowded on the prime, however Kaprizov remains to be producing extra at even power than some other participant,” a Kaprizov voter declared. “MacKinnon has Rantanen, Draisaitl has McDavid, Kucherov is simply too power-play dependent.”
“I’m choosing Kirill Kaprizov,” one other famous. “But if Colorado will get their stuff sorted for good and takes off, MacKinnon may run away with it. Central Division is the place it is at.”
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Kirill Kaprizov scores objective for Wild
Kirill Kaprizov nets objective for Wild
MacKinnon gained the Hart final 12 months with 51 targets and 140 factors. He’s nowhere close to that objective tempo, however his points-per-game tempo (1.63) is not far off from his tempo in his MVP season (1.71). He was the clear second alternative with 26% of the first-place votes. MacKinnon was within the prime three within the November Awards Watch, did not obtain a first-place vote in December and has come roaring again this month.
“MacKinnon’s surge and Kaprizov’s harm modified the face of that Hart race,” a voter concluded.
“He not solely leads the NHL in scoring however saved the Avalanche afloat lengthy sufficient for them to swap out each goalies and look extra like a severe contender,” one other defined.
Draisaitl was third within the voting (16%), proper forward of Eichel (11%). The Oilers star led the NHL in targets by way of Sunday with 29 tallies, properly forward of the 5 gamers tied with 23 targets. His 59 factors have been second to MacKinnon for the NHL lead. According to Evolving Hockey, Draisaitl leads the NHL with 22.6 anticipated targets above alternative.
Draisaitl helped preserve the Oilers on level as teammate Connor McDavid handled an harm. But McDavid has performed solely three fewer video games than Draisaitl — and trailed him by solely 5 factors for the staff lead. The season Draisaitl gained his solely Hart Trophy (the COVID-shortened 2019-20), he performed seven extra video games than McDavid and tallied 13 extra factors.
Eichel’s having the most effective common season of his profession. Through Sunday, the 28-year-old heart led the Golden Knights with 52 factors in 39 video games — almost 20 factors away from the second-highest scorer, Mark Stone (33 factors).
That Eichel had performed 14 extra video games than Stone is strictly the purpose: As Vegas has had extra guys out of motion than a on line casino the place the home at all times wins, Eichel has been the fixed, enjoying each recreation and enjoying extraordinarily properly. His profession excessive for factors is 82 in 2018-19 with Buffalo. He’s on tempo for over 109 factors this season.
“He’s the most effective participant on the most effective staff, however most spectacular is how Eichel has emerged as a defensive power,” one Jack backer defined.
They’re proper about his protection, which has been enhancing every season since his 200-foot recreation earned accolades through the 2023 Stanley Cup run. Internally, Vegas has talked about Eichel getting a Selke push this season. The Knights surrender simply 2.16 goals-against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 with Eichel on the ice. It ought to be famous, nonetheless, that Kaprizov has him bested in goals-against per 60 (1.88) and anticipated targets in opposition to per 60 (2.05) this season.
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Jack Eichel scores objective vs. Sabres
Jack Eichel scores objective vs. Sabres
Kucherov, who gained the Hart in 2018-19, has led the Lightning in scoring all season. Through 35 video games he had 55 factors, 10 factors higher than the staff’s second-leading scorer Brayden Point.
Marner obtained a first-place vote for holding down the fort whereas Auston Matthews was out with an harm. Marner has 56 factors in 41 video games, 13 greater than the Leafs’ second-leading scorer William Nylander, whereas persevering with to be an distinctive defensive ahead, too. It’s a heck of a case he is making in a contract 12 months.
Marner has by no means completed within the prime 10 for the Hart. Quinn Hughes was seventh for the award final season, when he gained his first Norris Trophy. So he is on the radar within the MVP race and pulled in a single first-place vote.
In a tumultuous season for the Canucks — from infighting to accidents — Hughes has simply been their finest participant: 42 factors in 34 video games, together with 34 assists. He’s not main all defensemen in factors nor ice time, however he is main the Canucks in each. Hughes leads Conor Garland (29 factors) by 13 factors for the staff lead.
So it is a very crowded discipline and will turn out to be much more crowded if Connor Hellebuyck begins getting the credit score for the Winnipeg Jets‘ excellent season. The NHL hasn’t had a goalie win MVP since Montreal’s Carey Price in 2014-15.
“I used to be this near placing Hellebuyck down for MVP,” mentioned a voter who finally broke for Kaprizov as an alternative.
While he did not earn a first-place vote, it will be silly to low cost McDavid from the race. He has gained NHL MVP 3 times and been a finalist for the award six instances in 10 seasons. With 54 factors in 36 video games — his 1.50 factors per recreation common is fourth within the NHL — he is only a stride behind the remainder of these gamers.
Norris Trophy (prime defenseman)
Leader: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Finalists: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
No main modifications within the Norris race order, which we’re positive will go over properly in Vancouver.
Makar’s lead has narrowed from incomes 75% of the first-place votes to 58% from our panelists this month. His 49 factors in 40 video games led all defensemen by way of Sunday’s video games. That’s spectacular, however not almost the whole Makar’s unbelievable begin (24 factors in 15 video games) appeared to portend. He’s a plus-13, skating extra on common (25:31) than Hughes (25:08) however lower than Werenski (26:28).
After getting dinged for his protection in final season’s Norris voting, Makar’s underlying numbers are robust: The Avalanche are giving up 2.04 targets per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 when he is on the ice and have an anticipated goals-against of two.14. Makar gained the Norris in 2021-22 and completed third within the subsequent two seasons.
One Makar voter anticipated some backlash for his or her alternative. “Blah, blah, blah, you solely decide factors. But the dude is unreal and controls the sport from the blue line. A complete freak present,” they quipped.
“He leads all blueliners in targets and assists,” one other Makar voter famous. “Quinn Hughes’ harm could show the distinction in what was shaping to be a good race.”
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Cale Makar tallies objective vs. Sabres
Cale Makar tallies objective vs. Sabres
Hughes, final season’s Norris winner, missed 4 video games after Christmas with an undisclosed harm. His return is imminent, which is nice information for a Vancouver staff whose offense struggled to attain simply seven targets in his absence. Hughes (42 factors in 34 video games) had a razor-thin points-per-game lead (1.24) on Makar (1.23) coming into Monday’s video games.
Another issue for Hughes: He’s second within the NHL in anticipated targets above alternative (18.5) and has added three wins to the Canucks, per Evolving Hockey. Makar (13.7 xGAR, 2.3 WAR) was a distant fifth in each classes.
Hughes garnered 26% of the votes.
“The Canucks’ efficiency with out the injured Hughes over the previous few video games underscores his significance to the staff and provides him a slight edge over Cale Makar this time round,” a Hughes voter famous.
“It’s exhausting to argue with a plus-18 objective differential at 5-on-5,” one other added.
Hughes play a ton at 5-on-5 (21:12) — greater than Makar, actually (19:34). He does not play a lot in any respect on the penalty kill (11 seconds per recreation), whereas Makar does (2:12).
Werenski additionally performs in all three conditions for the Blue Jackets. In reality, he performs greater than some other skater within the NHL, at 26:28 per recreation on common. Werenski has 12 targets and 33 assists in 40 video games. He entered Monday second to Makar in targets and factors on the season.
“More individuals ought to be speaking about Zach Werenski,” a Makar voter declared.
“The factor that caught out to me essentially the most [since December’s Awards Watch] was how significantly better the Blue Jackets are with Zach Werenski on the ice,” a Werenski voter mentioned. “His influence is noticeable on each ends of the ice — the way in which he drives play, his defensive capacity — and that’s how he manages to be a plus-player on that unhealthy of a staff. He ought to be rewarded for that.”
“The Columbus Blue Jackets sit nowhere close to sniffing distance of a playoff spot if Werenski is not averaging 1.13 factors per recreation whereas logging nearly 27 minutes each night time,” one other Werenski voter identified.
These three defensemen dominated our voters’ ballots. The solely different two names talked about have been Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey, who was seventh for the Norris final season after ending fifth one 12 months earlier; and Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, who continues to thrive below head coach Spencer Carbery. He was second for the Norris in 2019-20.
Calder Trophy (prime rookie)
Leader: Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Finalists: Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens; Matvei Michkov, Philadelphia Flyers
Last month, we likened Celebrini to a marauding T-Rex chasing a Jurassic Park jeep, as Michkov frantically glanced in his aspect mirror to find that objects could also be nearer than they seem.
In different phrases, it was solely a matter of time earlier than the San Jose Sharks rookie had the physique of labor voters wanted to place him over the Philadelphia Flyers rookie within the Calder race, and right here we’re.
“Sometimes, the plain reply is the right reply,” a Celebrini voter concluded.
After ending second to Michkov within the December NHL Awards Watch, Celebrini pulled almost 90% of the first-place votes from our panelists to take management of the rookie of the 12 months race.
“A must-watch participant already,” a Macklin backer mentioned. “He’s completely electrical regardless of having little assist round him.”
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Macklin Celebrini lights the lamp for Sharks
Macklin Celebrini lights the lamp for Sharks
Entering Monday’s motion, Celebrini (28 factors) trailed Michkov (29 factors) by one level regardless of enjoying eight fewer video games due to an early-season harm. Celebrini’s 0.93 points-per-game common was tops amongst all rookies. He additionally led all rookies with 13 targets, another than Michkov.
“Matvei Michkov had the top begin, however the surprise child in San Jose has made up for misplaced floor,” a voter mentioned.
Celebrini is seeing considerably extra ice time (19:48) than the Flyers rookie (16:31) on common. In reality, Celebrini is second solely to Hutson, a defenseman, in common ice time for rookie skaters.
“Not many rookie forwards skate nearly 20 minutes per recreation,” a voter declared.
“I lean Macklin over Michkov due to the two-way talent and energy he repeatedly exhibits on a lesser staff,” one other added.
Michkov nonetheless has a robust case and will find yourself sweeping the targets and factors titles amongst rookies, each of which have been harbingers for forwards profitable the Calder. He’s feasted on the ability play for the Flyers, with 5 targets and 12 factors, which led all rookies. While Celebrini has managed to maintain up with Michkov so far as highlight-reel moments, Michkov has thrived below — or regardless of? — the “powerful love” of John Tortorella’s teaching.
“Michkov has restructured a damaged energy play with ease. He’s reminded us the extent of influence one majestic participant like him can really have on a staff’s complexion,” a voter defined. “I anticipate altering this to Celebrini by the tip of the 12 months, however I’m additionally anticipating a particularly shut name.”
Michkov is the one different participant to earn first place votes for the Calder. Based on the variety of mentions he obtained on voters’ ballots, we’re snug placing Hutson in that third spot simply forward of Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf.
Hutson has 27 factors in 39 video games whereas skating 22:34 per recreation for the Canadiens. To put into perspective how a lot Hutson has lapped the sphere amongst rookie defensemen: The subsequent highest scoring rookie defenseman, Nolan Allen of Chicago, is 21 factors behind.
The Canadiens defenseman is a minus-8, fourth worst on the Habs for gamers with no less than 15 video games performed. That’s with Montreal having sheltered him with 63% of this zone begins coming within the offensive zone.
Wolf, who was third general final month, is 12-6-2 in 20 video games, with a .913 save share and a 2.63 goals-against common, to associate with two shutouts. Those are simply the most effective numbers for any rookie goalie with no less than 10 appearances. With the Flames within the thick of the wild-card race, he shouldn’t be counted out for Calder consideration.
But proper now, it is simply “consideration.” It stays Celebrini vs. Michkov, with Celebrini clearly forward within the race.
Vezina Trophy (prime goaltender)
Note: The NHL’s common managers vote for this award
Leader: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Finalists: Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils; Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals
This is Hellebuyck’s Vezina to lose, however our voters did not make it unanimous.
Hellebuyck is 24-6-2 for the dominant Jets, with a .926 save share, a 2.09 save share and 5 shutouts — main the NHL on all of these classes for goaltenders with no less than 20 appearances.
He gained his second Vezina Trophy final season and appears very a lot poised to win a 3rd. Since 1981 — when the NHL modified the factors of the Vezina Trophy to not simply honor the goalie who performed essentially the most video games on the staff that gave up the fewest targets — solely three goalies gained the Vezina greater than twice: Dominik Hasek, Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy. All legends and all Hockey Hall of Famers.
“It is ‘Helle-back?’ Perhaps ‘Helle-back-to-back?'” a voter quipped.
“Five shutouts and the season is not half over. He’ll be on Hart ballots, too,” one other voter predicted.
There was one other goalie that snagged a first-place vote and it was a shock: Thompson, the Capitals netminder who came visiting from Vegas within the offseason.
The Capitals have been certainly one of season’s finest groups and Thompson has been a giant cause why. In 20 video games, he is an unbelievable 16-2-2, with a .916 save share and a 2.39 goals-against common. Compare these numbers to what Washington’s different netminder Charlie Lindgren has posted (10-8-1, .900 and a pair of.70) and the distinction is stark.
“Thompson has been so extremely environment friendly. Sixteen of his 20 appearances qualify as high quality begins (80%),” the Thompson voter famous. “When the targets dried up for the Capitals following their scorching begin — and Alex Ovechkin was injured — Thompson saved them on monitor.”
The different Vezina spot may go to Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild, who was within the prime three in final month’s NHL Awards Watch. He definitely has the numbers: 18-6-3 in 27 video games, with a .926 save share and a 2.20 goals-against common. He additionally leads the NHL with 13.5 targets saved above anticipated per Stathletes.
But the goalie with the very best down-ballot mentions was Markstrom. He’s 19-8-2 with a .911 save share and a 2.18 goals-against common. He hasn’t been excellent, and has simply 3.1 targets saved above anticipated this season, however a handful of voters imagine he belongs within the Vezina dialog, comparable to it’s.
“This just isn’t a dialog by any stretch of the creativeness,” a Hellebuyck voter opined.
Selke Trophy (finest defensive ahead)
Leader: Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Finalists: Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils; Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
Barkov earned 42% of the first-place votes, which is barely down from his complete final month (50%) however places him in place to win back-to-back Selkes and his third in 5 seasons.
The Panthers have a 2.06 goals-against and a 1.87 anticipated goals-against per 60 minutes with Barkov on the ice. The Panthers get 60% of the high-danger probabilities. He’s additionally profitable an distinctive 61% of his faceoffs this season whereas placing in work on the penalty kill as properly.
“Aleksander Barkov remains to be the man,” a voter concluded.
While Barkov stays on prime of the Selke leaderboard, the finalists from the December Awards Watch have modified. Out are Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers; in come Hischier and Marner.
Hischier was second within the Selke voting in 2022-23. He wins 55.8% of his faceoffs and leads the fifth finest penalty kill within the NHL, because the ahead with essentially the most short-handed ice time on common for New Jersey. His underlying numbers aren’t stellar from a defensive standpoint, though he wins a great quantity of puck battles. But he is a participant that definitely passes the attention take a look at as a defensive power for New Jersey.
The identical goes for Marner, a winger whose pace and tenacity make him a terrific defensive participant. He leads the NHL in turnovers created (8.67) and steals per 60 (2.18) for gamers with no less than 700 minutes of ice time, per Stathletes. He’s the ice time chief for the eighth finest penalty kill within the NHL.
It’s right here we be aware {that a} non-center hasn’t gained the Selke Trophy since 2002-03, when Dallas Stars winger Jere Lehtinen captured the award for the third time.
Reinhart was certainly one of 5 different gamers to obtain a first-place vote, is listed as a middle though he performs on Barkov’s wing. He has barely higher defensive metrics than his heart, and likewise performs on the penalty kill.
Cirelli additionally obtained a first-place vote. He wins 51.7% of his faceoffs and he is an impressive penalty killer, with two targets and two assists shorthanded. His underlying numbers (3.51 anticipated targets in opposition to per 60 minutes) do not mount a robust argument for the time being. Keep in thoughts that Cirelli was chosen for Team Canada within the 4 Nations Face-Off as a defensive specialist, and that definitely raises his profile.
Anze Kopitar gained the Selke in 2015-16 and 2017-18. He’s having an impressive season for what is likely to be the most effective defensive staff within the NHL. The Kings have a 1.66 goals-against per 60 minutes when Kopitar is on the ice.
Jordan Staal has been trying to find his first Selke win for 15 years, and completed second for the award final season. He’s as soon as once more the linchpin at ahead defensively for the Hurricanes, who’ve a 1.69 goals-against common per 60 minutes when the middle is on the ice.
The different participant to obtain a first-place Selke vote was Jack Eichel. As talked about earlier, the Golden Knights imagine his identify ought to be within the hat for this award. Vegas provides up 2.16 targets per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 with Eichel on the ice, and he is an efficient penalty killer, too.
Barkov leads, however that is definitely nonetheless a aggressive race.
Lady Byng Trophy (gentlemanly play)
This is the half the place I point out that the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play ought to be voted on by the league’s on-ice officers or by the NHL Players’ Association as an alternative of the PHWA.
Traditionally, this award goes to a participant with a prime 20 level complete and the bottom penalty minutes amongst these gamers. Brayden Point is sixteenth general in scoring with 45 factors, and had solely two penalty minutes by way of 33 video games. But preserve an eye fixed out for Anze Kopitar, who gained the award in 2015-16 and 2022-23. He’s thirty fourth in scoring (39 factors in 38 video games) and likewise has simply two penalty minutes. What a race!
Jack Adams Award (finest coach)
Note: The NHL Broadcasters’ Association votes on this award.
Leader: Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Finalists: Dean Evason, Columbus Blue Jackets; John Hynes, Minnesota Wild
Alex Ovechkin has 19 targets in 23 video games this season. When he sustained a fractured leg in November, there wasn’t simply concern in regards to the state of his NHL all-time goals record chase. There was concern that it’d derail what had been a stellar begin for the Capitals, who went 13-4-1 with Ovechkin within the lineup by way of Nov. 18.
In between his harm and Ovechkin’s triumphant return to the lineup on Dec. 28? The Capitals went 13-6-2, thanks in no small half to the regular management and powerful elementary programs of Carbery.
The second-year coach had Washington with the Eastern Conference’s prime factors share heading into Monday’s video games. They have been the highest scoring staff within the league (3.72 targets per recreation) and sixth in targets in opposition to (2.64).
Perhaps that is why Carbery was the one unanimous alternative in any class on this month’s NHL Awards Watch.
“He’s going to run away with this, and for justifiable causes,” a voter declared.
While Evason and Hynes did not get any first-place votes, they each obtained numerous love down the poll from our voters.
Hynes coached the Wild by way of some harm adversity to get close to the highest of the Central Division, with robust underlying defensive numbers.
“Hynes deserves a bit love right here,” a voter argued.
Evason, in his first season with the Blue Jackets, has Columbus proper on the Eastern Conference wild-card bubble after 40 video games. He additionally has one thing that different candidates do not have: an emotional backstory, as Evason helped lead this Blue Jackets staff by way of its grief following the tragic dying of star ahead Johnny Gaudreau earlier than the season.
“The job Dean Evason is doing in Columbus, given the whole lot that franchise has endured, is exceptional. To have them remotely near a playoff spot is a big feather in his cap,” a voter defined. “If Columbus will get in, he could beat Carbery and Hynes, however these two have their groups enjoying constantly strong hockey.”
Other coaches talked about by our voters embody Los Angeles Kings first-year coach Jim Hiller, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper and Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar. The Winnipeg Jets‘ Scott Arniel, who was within the prime three final month, didn’t obtain a point out.
“Steven Stamkos is gone, Mikhail Sergachev was traded they usually’re one of many highest scoring groups within the league, one of many prime in goal-differential, and radically turned their 5-on-5 mess around,” a Cooper backer famous.
“Considering harm record and goaltending woes, although, Jared Bednar ought to get extra love on this class,” one other voter mentioned.
Other coaches will get love. But it is exhausting to think about any certainly one of them breaking by way of the infatuation with Carbery this season.
