As we approach the 20 game mark in the NHL’s shortened season, I’m taking a look at the candidates for each major award at this point in the season. It’s always fun to speculate about what could happen, but anything can change. There have been a lot of surprises so far and a lot
Hart
Craig Anderson – Ottawa Senators
The Senators had high expectations this year, but injuries to Spezza and Karlsson have all but dashed those dreams. The Senators should be losing without two of their top players, but Craig Anderson is giving them a chance to win every night. Although his record is only 8-4-0-2, he leads the league with a .952 save percentage and ranks 2nd with a 1.49 GAA. If he continues to steal games for the Sens, he’s a lock for the Hart.
Courtesy: Jim McIsaac
John Tavares – New York Islanders
The Islanders are a mess. They don’t seem to really have a direction in which the team is heading in terms of an identity. This season has been another disappointment so far, but Tavares is a shining star on a lowly team. He’s tied for the league lead in goals thus far with 13 and is third in points with 25. His game has steadily improved over the last two years and he has met all the expectations that were placed on him. He’s a leader for this team on the ice and in the locker room and will be captain one day.
Claude Giroux – Philadelphia Flyers
He’s the captain for a reason, and in Philly that means something. The Flyers have had some breakdowns this season and some costly injuries, but Giroux always seems to step his game up in these circumstances. He’s not putting up a ton of points so far, but when he does score it’s not to cap off a 7-0 win. He digs, he grinds, he fights his way to loose pucks and makes his team better for it. His never-give-up attitude makes him one of the best captains in the game today.
Vezina
Craig Anderson – Ottawa Senators
His play has made him worthy of a mid-season nomination, and is my pick for the winner so far. He can single-handedly win games for a beat up Senators club. His biggest stat is that he’s 2nd in total saves, which means the Sens are letting too many shots through. Anderson is stopping 95% of those pucks and giving his team a chance to win.
Viktor Fasth – Anaheim Ducks
Fasth is proof that most goalies take a long time to develop to get to the top of their game. The 30 year old rookie is 8-0 with the Ducks so far this season and has taken the top spot from Jonas Hiller. Fasth boasts a .933 save percectage and a 1.78 GAA. He ranks 29th in total saves, so he has a lot of help from his team, but he’s also stolen games and stood on his head.
Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens
He leads the league in wins so far with 10 and is 3rd in shut outs with 2. He ranks 12th with 335 saves and a .923 save percetage. The Canadiens are playing very good hockey right now and the team itself has come together. However, Price has played a high-caliber game and has had to make some remarkable saves and keep his team in each game.
Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are full steam ahead right now and Keith is a big part of that. He’s not putting up a ton of points, but that’s not entirely his game. He’s strong on the backend and can get the puck up ice to the high flying Blackhawks forwards. Keith has always been one of the best defenseman in the last few years and he’s on top of his game.
Kevin Shattenkirk – St. Louis Blues
He leads the league in points by a defenseman with 15. He’s a great offensive threat and is a go-to on the power play, but Shattenkirk is also very stable in his own end. He doesn’t make many, if any, mistakes and always makes the safe play. He’s getting smarter and more calm every season. He’s like a poor-man’s Nicklas Lidstrom in that regard, and that is never a bad thing.
Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators
It seems like forever ago that Karlsson was injured by an errant Matt Cooke skate, but his numbers for the Sens were on par with his Norris Trophy campaign last year. It’s a shame that this had to happen to him because of what he means to the Senators team, but at this point in the season he is still Norris-caliber. He still leads all D-men in goals with 6 and finished with 10 points in 14 games. He was logging over 27 minutes a game and was always a threat offensively has he was steady defensively. He’ll be back next year and very eager to put this injury behind him.
Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Justin Huberdeau – Florida Panthers
Huberdeau leads all rookies with 8 goals and is second with 13 points. He’s quickly becoming a go-too-guy on a lowly Panthers team. If he were on a better team, he’d probably have even better stats. Once the Panthers pair him up properly, there’s no telling how good he can be.
Charlie Conacher – Tampa Bay Lightning
Conacher leads all rookies with 16 points and 2 game winning goals. He’s been quiet lately, as have the Lightning, but he’s proving himself to be a solid contributor on a high offense team. He’s a small player with big heart, just like another small but elite Lightning player.
Alex Galchenyuk – Montreal Canadiens
He’s been up and down all season, but with the Canadiens clicking, so is Galchenyuk. He’s tied for 3rd in points with 12, but what impresses me is is +/- at +9. He’s helping out at both ends and is being rewarded. He’s got flash and skill and will only get better with maturity.
Jack Adams Award (Top Coach)
Bruce Boudreau – Anaheim Ducks
Remember who? BB has taken the Ducks to new heights, something they haven’t seen since they won the Cup years ago. He’s riding two hot goalies and a team that is buying in to his system – and an owner that is patient. The Ducks are hot on the tail of the Blackhawks and are not slowing down.
Joel Quenville – Chicago Blackhawks
The ‘Hawks have won points in 18 straight games and are still rolling. They are playing hard and believe in their team and their coach. They will eventually lose a game and that will be the true test to see how they rebound, but they are enjoying the ride and their coach is the key to bringing them together as a team.
Michel Therrien – Montreal Canadiens
The Habs shouldn’t be doing as well as they are. Carey Price and Peter Budaj have been shutting the door and the team as a whole is coming together and playing hard every night. They believe in their coach and believe they can do great things – a huge turnaround from last year.
At this point…
Art Ross Trophy (Most Points)
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning
13 Goals, 16 Assists – 29 Points
Rocket Richard Trophy (Most Goals)
Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning
John Tavares – New York Islanders
13 Goals
William Jennings Award (Best Save Percentage)
James Reimer – Toronto Maple Leafs
Ben Scrivens – Toronto Maple Leafs
.930 Save Percentage
Let me know what you think and tell me who you think should be on top via Twitter @_Mellin_
More to come…
