2018 NHL Awards Predictions

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Even though the Washington Capitals won their first ever Stanley Cup, the NHL still has plenty of hardware to pass out. The annual NHL Awards Show will be held on Wednesday June 20th and two Nashville Predators will be looking to add some trophies to their own personal collection. This is usually a fun night where you get to see some of the players’ personalities when they’re off the ice and maybe had a few drinks. Looking at you, Alex Ovechkin. Let’s jump right into it with my predictions on who will take home the bling on Wednesday.

Vezina Trophy

Nominees:

Pekka Rinne (NSH) – 42-13-4 /GAA – 2.31 / Save % – .927 / Shutouts – 8
Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) – 44-11-9 / GAA – 2.36 / Save % – .924 / Shutouts – 6
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB) – 44-17-3 / GAA – 2.62 / Save % – .920 / Shutouts – 8

This is a slam dunk to me. I only posted the standard stats, but if you dig into it, Pekka Rinne is the runaway favorite. His numbers were just too good this year. If Pekka doesn’t bring home the Vezina, there should be an investigation.

Frank J. Selke Trophy

Nominees: Patrice Bergeron (BOS), Sean Couturier (PHI), Anze Kopitar (LAK)

Given to the league’s best defensive forward, they might as well rename this for Patrice Bergeron. He’s in line to win his 5th Selke which would give him the most of all time. I think he gets it done.

Norris Trophy

Nominees:

Victor Hedman (TB) – 17 G 46 A 63 P/ +32 rating / 25:51 Average ice time
Drew Doughty (LAK) – 10 G 50 A 60 P / 26:50 Average ice time
P.K. Subban (NSH) – 16 G 43 A 59 P / Helped Preds lead league in goals and points by the defense corps

As much as I’d love to see Subban win this, lately this award has become about who has the most points as a D-man. I really wish they would make two separate awards: one for best offensive defenseman and best defensive defenseman, but with the way it’s set up now I think Hedman takes home the Norris this season.

Lady Byng Trophy

Nominees – Aleksander Barkov (FLA), William Karlsson (VGK), Ryan O’Reilly (BUF)

Given to the player who best combines sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and ability, this has kind of become about penalty minutes, or lack thereof. Ryan O’Reilly only had one minor penalty all season long. That’s incredible to be honest. Pair that with his 61 points and 1,274 face-off wins, which is the most by any player ever, he’s the winner of the Lady Byng.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

Nominees – Brian Boyle (NJ), Roberto Luongo (FLA), Jordan Staal (CAR)

This award is always hard to give out. It’s a great concept, given to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. All three nominees should win honestly. Boyle was diagnosed with leukemia and worked his way back into the lineup. Luongo battled injuries and was heavily involved with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after the tragic school shooting. Jordan Staal went through what no parent should have to endure after his daughter was born stillborn due to a terminal birth defect. I really want to give the award to all three, but if I had to pick, I’d go with Brian Boyle, though the case could be made for all three.

Calder Trophy

Nominees:

Matthew Barzal (NYI) – 22 G 63 A 85 P
Brock Boeser (VAN) – 29 G 26 A 55 P
Clayton Keller (ARI) – 23 G 42 A 65 P

I think the clear favorite here is Barzal. You don’t score 85 points as a rookie and not win the Calder.

Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award

Nominees – Derky Engelland (VGK), Wayne Simmonds (PHI), Blake Wheeler (WPG)

This awards is a bit different, as Mark Messier actually picks this award himself, so there’s really no way to tell which way he is leaning. If it were up to me, however, I’d go with Blake Wheeler.

Jack Adams Award

Nominees – Jared Bednar (COL), Bruce Cassidy (BOS), Gerard Gallant (VGK)

No question. Gerard Gallant. Next question.

Ted Lindsay Award

Nominees – Taylor Hall (NJ), Nathan MacKinnon (COL), Connor McDavid (EDM)

It’s important to remember this is different from the MVP. This is simply the best player in the NHL as voted by their peers. Gotta go with Connor McDavid on this one. The kid is simply the best in the game right now.

King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Nominees – Daniel and Henrik Sedin (VAN), P.K. Subban (NSH), Jason Zucker (MIN)

The King Clancy is given out to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community. This has P.K. Subban written all over it, however I think they’ll give this to the Sedins as a farewell gift. Politics.

General Manager of the Year

Nominees – Kevin Cheveldayoff (WPG), George McPhee (VGK), Steve Yzerman (TB)

Same reasoning as Gallant winning the Jack Adams. McPhee is the clear winner.

Hart Memorial Trophy

Nominees:

Taylor Hall (NJ) – 6th in the NHL in scoring with 93 points / 26 game point streak from January 2 – March 6 / 41 more points than the team’s second leading scorer

Nathan MacKinnon (COL) – 5th in scoring with 97 points / tied for NHL lead in game winning goals with 12 / Helped Colorado improve 47 points in the standings from last year

Anze Kopitar (LAK) – 92 points – tied for 7th in the league / Excels at both ends of the ice / Also nominated for the Selke

This is a really tough call for me. All three players played a key role in their team’s success this season. I have to go with Taylor Hall in the end, though. He almost single handedly dragged the Devils into the playoffs. MacKinnon accomplished a similar feat in Colorado, but I feel his supporting cast was just a touch better than Hall’s.

So there you have it. My predictions for the 2018 NHL Awards Show. Feel free to get back to me with your predictions and thoughts. Hopefully we see some Preds take home some hardware, but in the end we’re all watching to see Alex Ovechkin get drunk again.

Herbie Brooks is the Lead Hockey Analyst for SoBros Network. He knows three things: beating Commies, winning Gold Medals, and having great hair. Follow him on Twitter: @SoBroHerbie_B

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