PUTTING OUR EYES ON NHL PRIZES
The Oilers’ McDavid is the Star’s choice as the MVP, with Matthews our rookie of the year
LAS VEGAS— Could Auston Matthews and Mike Babcock go 2-for-2, giving the Maple Leafs a sweep of the awards they are up for? Quite probably. Here’s a look at which players and coaches are up for awards, who The Star thinks should win, and the odds from Bodog.
HART TROPHY
(Voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association)
Connor McDavid (2-to-13) will make his claim as the most valuable player in the NHL. That probably won’t sit well with Sidney Crosby (4-to-1), but he’ll have to make do with his third Stanley Cup and second Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (11-to-1) is a finalist, happy to get a free trip to Vegas.
NORRIS TROPHY
(Voting by the PHWA) The oddsmakers say San Jose’s Brent Burns (1-to-5) will be named top defenceman for his 29-goal season, but the Star says Ottawa captain Erik
Karlsson ( 5-to-2) should take home his second Norris. He single-handedly carried the small-market Senators into the playoffs. The time will come for Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman (25-to-1).
VEZINA TROPHY
(Voting by NHL executives) Washington goalie Braden Holtby (11-to-5) should win on the strength of his team winning the Presidents’ Trophy with the league’s best regularseason record. But it should be a close call over Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (1-to-4). The award was 22-to-1 shot Carey Price’s to lose, but the Montreal goalie had a poor second half.
CALDER TROPHY
(Voting by the PHWA) The Leafs’ Auston Matthews (1to-20) should win in a cakewalk after a 40-goal season. Matthews would be the first Leaf to win the Calder since Brit Selby in 1966. Fans of Winnipeg sniper Patrik Laine (11-to-2) will feel robbed. His 36 goals would win the award most years. Watch for Columbus defenceman Zach Werenski (18-to-1) to become a dominant blueliner.
JACK ADAMS AWARD
(Voting by NHL broadcasters)
Mike Babcock (5-to-7) should win after such an impressive turnaround season for the Maple Leafs, who went from last place to a playoff spot. But the same could be said for the efforts of Columbus coach John Tortorella (9-to-4) and Edmonton coach Todd McLellan (11-to-4). Babcock gets the edge, perhaps only because he’s never won the award and has probably previously deserved it.
LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY
(Voting by the PHWA) Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau ( 1-to-1) and St. Louis’s Vladimir Tarasenko (1-to-1) are in a dead heat for the award for hockey’s most gentlemanly player, the Star giving the edge to Johnny Hockey, for the cool nickname and the two penalty minutes. Minnesota’s Mikael Granlund (4to-1) is also a gentleman.
SELKE TROPHY
(Voting by the PHWA) Pavel Datsyuk has moved on, but both Anaheim’s Ryan Kesler (5-to-7) and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron (7-to-4) are worthy heirs for the top defensive forward’s prize. The cult of Kesler, the Star’s pick, appears to be stronger but an Eastern bias may win out. Minnesota’s Mikko Koivu (15-to-4) doesn’t get enough credit.