Rookies Matthews, Laine race like it’s 2006
McDavid’s late-season surge could bring him Hart Trophy
Sidney Crosby showed he could be a player for the ages when he finished sixth in the NHL scoring race with 102 points as an 18-year-old rookie during the 2005-06 season.
But the Pittsburgh Penguins forward was not able to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. That honor went to the Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, who had 52 goals and 106 points.
A similar scenario has played out this season with Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Patrik Laine (Winnipeg Jets) both being dominant enough to run away with the trophy in most other seasons.
Matthews entered Thursday with 39 goals and Laine with 36. Laine (0.90) had a better pointsper-game average than Matthews (0.85), who has broken Neal Broten’s 35-year-old record for goals by an American rookie.
Matthews might be the favorite because his efforts have helped propel the Maple Leafs into playoff position for the second time in 12 years. When a race is this tight, all factors matter.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski also should be in the mix, given how essential he has been to the their success.
Here’s an overview of other trophy races, most of which are decided on votes from members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (all statistics are entering Thursday).
Hart Trophy (MVP to his
team): A month ago, this race looked as if it could be a tossup, but Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) made himself the favorite with an impressive offensive charge over the last few weeks. He has put up 20 points in his last 11 games.
With 95 points, he should win the NHL scoring title. McDavid has the best plus-minus (+25) among the league’s top 50 scorers. His ability to lead the Oilers into the playoffs for the first time since 2006 aids his candidacy.
Crosby, with 43 goals, should win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, and he is probably McDavid’s top competition for the Hart.
Norris Trophy (top de
fenseman): Brent Burns (San Jose Sharks) has been a dominant force and clubhouse leader for much of the season. He has scored 28 goals, and he’s ninth in the scoring race with 74 points.
But his performance level has tailed off the last few weeks. Meanwhile, two-time Norris Tro- phy winner Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators) has grown stronger as the season has worn on. Karlsson has 19 points and is +8 in his last 18 games. But he is dealing with an injury, sat out Thursday’s game and is day-to-day. Burns is -7 in his last 11 games. He has only four points in his last 14 games. This race might be too close to call.
Shea Weber (Montreal Canadiens) also should be in the conversation.
Vezina Trophy (top goal
tender): General managers decide this award, and it’s not a simple choice.
Braden Holtby (Capitals) has the most wins (42) and shutouts (nine), but Sergei Bobrovsky (Blue Jackets) has a better save percentage (.933) and goalsagainst average (2.02).
Holtby is with the best team, but where would the Blue Jackets be without Bobrovsky? Carey Price (Canadiens), Devan Dubnyk (Minnesota Wild) and Cam Talbot (Oilers) are contenders.
Jack Adams Award (top
coach): Broadcasters select this award, and it seems like Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella is receiving the most attention. He has transformed the 27th-ranked team in 2015-16 into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender in 201617. With 106 points, the Blue Jackets have the fourth-best record in the league.
But there are a host of strong
candidates, including Mike Babcock (Maple Leafs), Guy Boucher (Senators), Bruce Boudreau (Wild) and others. Selke Trophy (top defensive
forward): It’s always challenging to handicap this race because of the multitude of candidates. But two names that have been gaining traction this season are Ryan Kesler (Anaheim Ducks) and Mikko Koivu (Wild).
Kesler is a belligerent force. No one likes playing against him because of his physical presence and relentless style. Koivu is a smart defensive player who matches up effectively against all the league’s elite forwards.
Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron, one of the league’s top faceoff artists, also could be in the mix.
General manager of the
year: A special committee determines this winner, and Edmonton’s Peter Chiarelli, Washington’s Brian MacLellan, Toronto’s Lou Lamoriello, Minnesota’s Chuck Fletcher and the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stan Bowman should all be in the hunt. Chiarelli’s aggressiveness in turning around the Oilers could make him the favorite.