Fansided

Final predictions ahead of NHL Awards ceremony

By Simon Vacca

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 20: Head coach Gerard Gallant of the Vegas Golden Knights leads his team against the Vancouver Canucks during the game at T-Mobile Arena on March 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 20: Head coach Gerard Gallant of the Vegas Golden Knights leads his team against the Vancouver Canucks during the game at T-Mobile Arena on March 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 27: The Nashville Predators celebrate a 2-1 shootout win against the Minnesota Wild during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 27: The Nashville Predators celebrate a 2-1 shootout win against the Minnesota Wild during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Mushy Middle

Presidents’ Trophy: Nashville Predators

There are a number of teams that have made a relatively strong push to take home the Presidents’ Trophy, which is presented to the organization that finishes with the most points during the NHL’s regular season. That said, the Nashville Predators are currently the favorites — albeit by the slightest of margins.

Currently three points above the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Preds will be looking to add to their league-leading point total as the 2017-18 season draws to a close. It’s not entirely outside the realm of possibility that another team passes them, but betting against the Preds this late in the game would be a risk at the very least. Depth-ridden offense, coupled with the best blueline in the league and a goaltender who is playing the best hockey of his career makes Nashville the NHL’s deadliest team — a remarkable feat for an organization that will look to take home the biggest prize in all of hockey.

Vezina Trophy: Pekka Rinne (NSH)

A month ago, NHL.com reported that Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB) was comfortably leading the race for the Vezina Trophy. Given to the top goaltender in the league, competition for the award has since heated up. The major contenders are now the aforementioned Vasilevskiy, Pekka Rinne (NSH) and Connor Hellebuyck (WPG).

Although there’s little doubt Vasilevskiy and Hellebuyck have served as irreplaceable forces on their respective teams, I’m inclined to think that this is Rinne’s year. Not only has he combined the milestone of earning 40-plus wins — accumulated in less games played than his opponents — with extremely favourable numbers, but his team also allows the least amount of goals per game on an average night in the NHL. That Rinne is a veteran goaltender who has not yet received the Vezina further adds to the idea that recognizing the value of his contributions is long overdue.

James Norris Memorial Trophy: Victor Hedman (TB)

As I argued a few weeks back, Victor Hedman (TB) is the frontrunner in the Norris Trophy race.

Awarded to the defender that is judged to be the best at his position during the regular season, competition for the Norris is stiff. Strong cases can be made for any one of John Klingberg (DAL), Drew Doughty (LA), Brent Burns (SJ), P.K. Subban (NSH), John Carlson (WSH) or Seth Jones (CBJ) — all of whom are having excellent seasons.

That said, Hedman’s ability to combine offensive smarts with defensive responsibility has rendered him the favorite in recent weeks. As this is the second year in a row in which he is being closely considered for the award, his chances of winning are better than ever.

Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy: Alexander Ovechkin (WSH)

Presented to the top goal scorer in the NHL, the Rocket Richard can be tricky to predict in years where there is neck-in-neck competition down the final stretch.

As it stands, Alexander Ovechkin (WSH) leads the race with 45 goals. Patrik Laine (WPG) has netted 43, Evgeni Malkin (PIT) has scored 42, while Connor McDavid (EDM), Eric Staal (MIN) and William Karlsson (VGK) have all recorded 40.

I’m going to stick with Ovechkin on this one, as he’s all but unstoppable when determined to reach an objective. There’s no question that scoring 50 will be difficult, but the consistency of his game makes me cautiously optimistic of this possibility. Nevertheless, it would be foolish to count out Laine, Malkin or McDavid — all of whom are more than capable of upsetting one of the finest scorers in hockey history.

Art Ross Trophy: Connor McDavid (EDM)

Until recently, it looked like the Art Ross — awarded to the player who leads the NHL in points by the conclusion of the regular season — would go to Nikita Kucherov (TB). Then Connor McDavid got in the way.

Already the current holder of the award, McDavid will be looking to maintain his title as the 2017-18 season concludes. It’s not impossible for Kucherov to catch him, but the chances of McDavid slipping are increasingly unlikely.

The Edmonton Oilers may have missed the Stanley Cup playoffs, but McDavid’s stellar season is (hopefully) a source of promise for a brighter future.

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