The 2023-24 NHL season is more than halfway done, which means it’s time for some (late) mid-season awards predictions that will most likely be completely wrong. This is a follow-up to my NHL preseason awards predictions. Below are my picks for who will take home the hardware at the end of the season.
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.
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 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!
***(Stats and points are as of Thursday 1/25/24)***
Art Ross Trophy – Most Points
DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 02: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on Mike Smith #41 of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game Two of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on June 02, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PRESEASON PICK – Connor McDavid
MIDSEASON PICK – Nathan MacKinnon
I wanted to keep my pick the same with Connor McDavid here, but I feel like a 22 point deficit is too hard to overcome even for someone like McDavid. Nathan MacKinnon is currently pacing the league with 82 points, which is a two point lead over Nikita Kucherov. MacKinnon has been playing at an MVP level this season (more on that later), and barring an injury, looks to be on his way to his first career Art Ross Trophy win.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy – Top Goal Scorer
Jan 14, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) is congratulated at the bench after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
PRESEASON PICK – Auston Matthews
MIDSEASON PICK – Auston Matthews
I felt a rebound season in the goal scoring category for Auston Matthews this season and so far my feeling has been correct. Matthews is currently the best goal scorer in the NHL and his numbers speak for it. The Maple Leafs forward has 39 goals in 45 games, which is just one goal shy of his total from last season. He currently has a four goal advantage over Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers a I don’t see him giving that lead away anytime soon.
Frank J. Selke Trophy – Top Defensive Forward
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 23: Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates his second-period goal against the St. Louis Blues during their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Blues 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
PRESEASON PICK – Joel Eriksson Ek
MIDSEASON PICK – Mark Stone
Mark Stone will probably never win a Selke because he doesn’t play center. However, he’s currently leading the league in takeaways by forwards with 55 and is also averaging 1:41 of penalty kill time with the Golden Knights. At some point Stone needs to get his due for his defensive play.
Calder Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year
TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 14: Brock Faber #7 of the Minnesota Wild skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 14, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Wild 7-4. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
PRESEASON PICK – Connor Bedard
MIDSEASON PICK – Brock Faber
Connor Bedard was on track to win the Calder until his jaw was broken a few weeks ago. He’s going to miss a massive chunk of time, which could ultimately cost him a few votes in the end. So who’ll get it from him? Enter Brock Faber of the Minnesota Wild. Faber has had an outstanding rookie year on the blueline in Minnesota and leads all rookies in assists and time on ice, while being 2nd amongst rookies in points. Faber’s rookie season has been a showing that Minnesota has a future star on the blueline.
James Norris Memorial Trophy – Top Defenseman
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
I want to give this to Quinn Hughes, who is having an excellent season in Vancouver, but this award should be going to the best all-around defenseman. When it comes to even strength and power play production the two are on similar levels. However, Cale Makar has the clear advantage in shorthanded time on ice, with nearly 90 more minutes on the penalty kill. That’s the clear indicator to me that one player is valued in more overall situations than the other.
Vezina Trophy – Top Goaltender
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
Connor Hellebuyck boasts a 23-8-3 record with a .925 save % and a 2.17 goals against average, all while the Winnipeg Jets sit near the top of the NHL standings. Hellebuyck has consistently been one of the better goalie in the NHL and has a Vezina Trophy to prove it. If he keeps this pace up, he should be adding a second Vezina to his trophy case this offseason.
Hart Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player
Dec 3, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) shoots the puck during warmups prior to a game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
PRESEASON PICK – Connor McDavid
MIDSEASON PICK – Nathan MacKinnon
As mentioned earlier, Nathan MacKinnon currently sits atop the NHL in points with 82. He has been a force for the Avalanche this season from the start and is currently on pace for a career high in goals and assists in a season. The Avalanche are once again near the top of the NHL standings and aren’t getting much production from their depth. It all starts with MacKinnon in Colorado and he is proving why he’s the most valuable player this season.
