VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 10: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after defeating the Vancouver Canucks during overtime in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on May 10, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
Below are my picks for the NHL individual awards so far in the 2024-25 season.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 27: The trophies are displayed on stage prior to the 2024 NHL Awards Show at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on June 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Current Pick – Art Ross Trophy – Most Points – Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Preseason – Art Ross Trophy – Most Points – Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 29: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche fist bumps teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at the United Center on February 29, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
McDavid will always be my preseason pick for this award because we all know what he’s capable of. However, an injury early on in the season and a suspension in January has cost him games this season. MacKinnon hit the 140 mark last season and is leading the way at the Four Nations break. I think the defending league MVP will continue his current pace and win the Art Ross.
Current Pick – Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy – Top Goal Scorer – Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Preseason – Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy – Top Goal Scorer – Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
EDMONTON, CANADA – FEBRUARY 7: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers races for the puck against Jack Drury #18 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period of the game at Rogers Place on February 7, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Leila Devlin/Getty Images)
Draisaitl holds a seven goal lead over the competition at the break and has been playing at an MVP pace. A 7-goal lead with less than 30 games left will be tough to lose barring an injury.
Current Pick – Frank J. Selke Trophy – Top Defensive Forward – Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Preseason – Frank J. Selke Trophy – Top Defensive Forward – Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MAY 08: Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers high fives teammates after scoring a goal during the second period against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 08, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Barkov was my preseason pick for Selke and I’m sticking to it. He has won 59.4% of his faceoffs, including 62.5% of the defensive zone faceoffs he has taken. He’s also averaging 1:39 time on ice on the penalty kill for the Panthers. The defending Selke winner should take it home again in 2025.
Current Pick – Calder Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year – Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Preseason – Calder Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year – Cutter Gauthier, Anaheim Ducks
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 10: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by teammates after he scored his first career NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues in the first period at SAP Center on October 10, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The 2024 1st overall pick has been worth it for the Sharks this season as he has 17 goals and 23 assists so far in 45 games. He did miss time due to injury early on but came back and hasn’t missed a beat. The team may be struggling, but Celebrini has shown that there’s excitement for the future in San Jose.
Current Pick – Jack Adams Award – Top Head Coach – Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Preseason – Jack Adams Award – Top Head Coach – Craig Berube, Toronto Maple Leafs
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 21: Head coach Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals speaks with the media prior to Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 21, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
I don’t think anyone saw the Washington Capitals leading the Eastern Conference in points at the Four Nations break. Carbery has done an excellent job leading the Capitals to a surprising season so far and should be a lock for Coach of the Year.
Current Pick – James Norris Memorial Trophy – Top Defenseman – Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Preseason – James Norris Memorial Trophy – Top Defenseman – Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 09: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche plays the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period at Ball Arena on December 09, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Makar has been excellent on the offensive side and is on pace for the first 30 goal season by a defenseman since the 2008-09 season. He’s 2nd on the Avs in shorthanded time on ice. He leads the league in takeaways at the break with 46. He’s 3rd in the league in time on ice with close to 26 minutes a game. Zach Werenski has made a real case to win the Norris but Makar’s overall ability has him ahead of anyone in the Norris case.
Current Pick – Vezina Trophy – Top Goaltender – Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Preseason – Vezina Trophy – Top Goaltender – Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
Jan 22, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; <a href="https://985thesportshub.com/shows/bruins/">Boston Bruins</a> left wing Brad Marchand (63) tries to deflect a shot on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Hellebuyck continues to show why he’s one of the best goalies in the league as he’s been terrific in his Vezina title defense. He boasts a 34-7-2 record at the break while being 1st in GAA and 2nd in Save %. As it stands at the break Hellebuyck should successfully defend his Vezina title.
Current Pick – Hart Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player – Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Preseason – Hart Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player – Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 10: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after defeating the Vancouver Canucks during overtime in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on May 10, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
With McDavid missing time early and having a three game suspension, Draisaitl has been consistent across the board for the Oilers all season long. The German center leads the league in goals, including 9 of them being game winning goals. He’s second in the league in points behind Nathan MacKinnon. Draisaitl should lock down his second Hart Trophy with a good close to the 2024-25 season.
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