The 2023-24 NHL regular season is officially in the books, which means it’s time for some awards predictions that will most likely be completely wrong. This is a follow-up to my NHL preseason awards predictions and my NHL midseason awards predictions. Below are my picks for who will take home the hardware!
TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 4: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs keeps an eye on a high puck with Charlie Coyle #13 of the Boston Bruins during the first period in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 4, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
But first….here are some stats and info on the history of the Trophies thanks to NHL.com!
Wayne Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy a record 10 times in his career. The Art Ross trophy goes to the player who scored the most points during the NHL regular season.
Patrice Bergeron’s six Selke Trophy wins are the most by any player in NHL history.
Connor McDavid edged out David Pastrnak for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy by three goals last season.
The Calder Trophy, annually given to the top rookie, is named after former NHL President Frank Calder!
Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery won the Jack Adams Award during the 2022-23 season. Montgomery was the fifth Boston Bruins coach in history to win it following Bruce Cassidy (2019-20), Claude Julien (2008-09), Pat Burns (1997-98), and Don Cherry (1975-76).
Bobby Orr won the James Norris Memorial Trophy a record 8 times in his career.
The Vezina Trophy has been won by a goalie who was a first time winner of the award for 6 consecutive seasons.
Connor McDavid will look to become the first player to win back to back Hart Trophy’s as league MVP since Alexander Ovechkin did it during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons!
Art Ross Trophy – Most Points – Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec 7, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) checks his stick during a stoppage during the second period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
PRESEASON PICK – Connor McDavid
MIDSEASON PICK – Nathan MacKinnon
Ok so this isn’t a prediction, it’s actually a fact. Kucherov won the Art Ross Trophy for the 2023-24 season by putting up 144 points. Kucherov edged out Nathan MacKinnon by four points.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy – Top Goal Scorer – Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Nov 2, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) skates against Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) during the second period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
PRESEASON PICK – Auston Matthews
MIDSEASON PICK – Auston Matthews
This one is also not a prediction, but is a fact. Auston Matthews was the winner of the award by putting up 69 goals for the Maple Leafs this season.
Frank J. Selke Trophy – Top Defensive Forward – Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Oct 30, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the first period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
PRESEASON PICK – Joel Eriksson Ek
MIDSEASON PICK – Mark Stone
The 2020-21 Selke winner had a stellar season and in my opinion should pick up his second Selke victory. Barkov averaged 1:59 of shorthanded time on ice for the Panthers this season and had 61 takeaways throughout the season. He also won 57% of his faceoffs this season. Barkov is one of the elite two-way forwards in the NHL and should get his second Selke this spring to help prove it.
Calder Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year – Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 05: Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Minnesota Wild during the second period of a preseason game at the United Center on October 05, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
PRESEASON PICK – Connor Bedard
MIDSEASON PICK – Brock Faber
I originally had Bedard but then flipped when he broke his jaw midseason. However, I’m back on the Bedard train for rookie of the year due to how he closed the season. Bedard had 7 goals and 21 assists in his 29 games after returning from a broken jaw. He ended the season with 22 goals and 39 assists in 68 games. Brock Faber had an excellent season in Minnesota, but I think it’s all Bedard for the Calder this season.
Jack Adams Award – Top Head Coach – Peter Laviolette, New York Rangers
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the New York Rangers speaks with the media prior to the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PRESEASON PICK – Lindy Ruff
MIDSEASON PICK – Rick Tocchet
My preseason pick was terrible and my midseason pick fell off slightly. Laviolette coached the Rangers to the league’s best record and truly had them as one of the best teams from start to finish. The roster was loaded with talent but Laviolette’s predecessor, Gerard Gallant, couldn’t get the most out of a team with a similar roster, which shows what a great job that Laviolette did with this roster during the season.
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)
PRESEASON PICK – Cale Makar
MIDSEASON PICK – Cale Makar
To me this was a two horse race between Makar and Quinn Hughes. I go with Makar because he can be relied on in more situations than Hughes. Cale Makar played close to 150 more minutes shorthanded this season than Hughes. That shows to me that Colorado can trust Makar to be a more well rounded defenseman overall than Vancouver can with Hughes.
Vezina Trophy – Top Goaltender – Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
TEMPE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 07: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets in net against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena on January 07, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Getty Images)
PRESEASON PICK – Jake Oettinger
MIDSEASON PICK – Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck put up a 37-19-4 record with a 2.39 GAA and a .921 save % throughout the season. Among all the true starters in the league he ranked 2nd in GAA, 1st in save %, and 2nd in wins. This ended up being a very close battle with Sergei Bobrovsky, but I think Hellebuyck was more consistent from start to finish throughout the season.
Hart Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player – Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 25: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores a goal during the second period of the game against the Arizona Coyotes at Amalie Arena on January 25, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)
PRESEASON PICK – Connor McDavid
MIDSEASON PICK – Nathan MacKinnon
I think Nathan MacKinnon will be the common pick here, but to me Kucherov was more responsible in dragging his club to the playoffs this season. From start to finish the Russian superstar carried this Lightning team to the top wild-card spot in the East. Both he and MacKinnon dragged clubs that lacked some depth to where they are, but MacKinnon had more help with the likes of Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar. That’s no knock on guys like Brayden Point and Victor Hedman, who are a good supporting cast, but Kucherov was just more important to this Tampa team.
