MIDSEASON AWARDS
For the third consecutive year, the Professional Hockey Writers Association voted on midseason awards. Here is my ballot, understanding full well that a lot of this can (and probably will) change in the final three months of the season.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Nathan Mackinnon, Colorado
The Hart Trophy runner-up in 2017-18 ranks third in points (72) and fourth in goals (30), and unlike Connor Mcdavid and Leon Draisaitl, he’s doing it for a Colorado Avalanche team that has been besieged by injuries and doesn’t have another forward in the top 80. Runners-up: Mcdavid and Draisaitl
Norris (top defenceman)
John Carlson, Washington
The Capitals defenceman had this award sewn up in October when he scored seven goals and 21 points in 12 games. Since then, he’s kept up a 100-point pace and leads the next-highest scoring defenceman by 12 points.
Runners-up: Dougie Hamilton and Alex Pietrangelo
Calder (top rookie)
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver
Choosing between Hughes and Cale Makar is difficult, but Hughes gets the edge because of how much Vancouver has relied on him this season. Hughes has three fewer points than Makar, but averages a minute more in ice time and is a big reason why the Canucks’ power play went from 22nd in the league to seventh best. Runners-up: Makar and Dominik Kubalik
Lady Byng (most gentlemanly)
Auston Matthews, Toronto
Matthews is on pace for a 50-goal season, which means he’s a frequent target of opposing teams. But with just three minor penalties — the lowest among the top 50 scorers — he hasn’t retaliated much while also logging more than 20 minutes per game.
Runners-up: Mackinnon and Ryan O’reilly
Selke (top defensive forward)
Aleksander Barkov, Florida
With the Panthers in the playoff picture, Barkov is finally getting recognition for his strong two-way game. The powerful centre is tied for 12th in league scoring with 54 points and also has a plus-7 rating while matching up against the best players in the league.
Runners-up: Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews
Vezina (top goaltender)
Darcy Kuemper, Arizona
Kuemper is currently out with an injury, which could explain why the Coyotes have lost eight of their past 14 games and dropped down to a wild-card spot in the standings. That wasn’t the case when Kuemper was healthy. Thanks to his 2.17 goals-against average and .929 save percentage, Arizona spent the first three months of the season as the best team in the Pacific Division. Runners-up: Tristan Jarry and Tuukka Rask
Jack Adams (top coach)
Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh
They went a month without Sidney Crosby, have a no-name defence and have relied on their backup goaltender most nights, but the Penguins still head into the break with the fourth-best record in the NHL. Runners-up: John Tortorella and Craig Berube
GM of the Year
Joe Sakic, Colorado
Acquiring Nazem Kadri (17 goals and 31 points) and Joonas Donskoi (14 goals and 29 points) have given the Avalanche much-needed depth up front, while Makar (fourth overall in 2017) might now go No. 1 overall if you re-did the draft.
Runners-up: Jim Benning and John Chayka
Rod Langway (top defensive defenceman)
Shea Weber, Montreal
With 12 goals and 33 points, Weber has put together a Norris-worthy season in Montreal. But it’s his defensive game — he has a plus-7 rating while logging more than 24 minutes a night — that has kept the Canadiens from falling completely out of the playoff picture.
Runners-up: Victor Hedman and
Seth Jones
Comeback Player
William Nylander, Toronto
Nylander missed the first two months of the season because of a contract dispute last year and was a disaster when he finally came back. This year, with 22 goals and 43 points in 49 games, he’s looking more like the player the Maple Leafs invested US$6.9 million in.
Runners-up: Evgeni Malkin and James Neal
Michael Traikos