Most of the NHL’s group have performed 41 video games within the 2023-24 season, and that places them on the midway level of the marketing campaign. With that being mentioned, we have had a bigger pattern measurement to find out which gamers may very well be vying for a few of the league’s main awards this season. 

Whereas he stays within the race, Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid undoubtedly is not a shoe-in to win the Hart and Artwork Ross Trophies like he has been up to now. The truth is, lots of the races are wide-open with regards to the most important {hardware} across the league.

Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at what the sphere appears to be like like with regards to the NHL’s high awards in 2023-24.

Hart Trophy

Edmonton Oilers middle Connor McDavid has dominated the Hart Trophy race lately as he is gained the award in two of the final three seasons. Nevertheless, McDavid is presently tied for third in factors (55), and is not close to the highest of the leaderboard. It is fairly attainable that McDavid would not change into a finalist for the Hart Trophy because the league MVP primarily based on the crowded subject this yr.

At the moment, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Colorado Avalanche middle Nathan MacKinnon are tied for the league lead in factors (67), and positively need to be considered because the frontrunners for the award on the midway level.

It is onerous to think about a participant that’s hotter than MacKinnon proper now. Coming into Thursday, the Avalanche star has registered 67 factors (22 objectives & 45 assists) in 42 video games, whereas presently embarking on a season-opening 23-game house level streak that’s approaching historic territory. MacKinnon is simply two house factors away from tying Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr, who had a 25-game house level streak throughout the 1974-75 season. Wayne Gretzky holds the all-time document with a 40-game house level streak when he was taking part in for the Los Angeles Kings in 1988-89.

MacKinnon is presently on tempo for 131 factors (43 objectives & 88 assists) for the 2023-24 season, which might be the very best level whole of his NHL profession. 

In the meantime, Kucherov has been simply as deadly as MacKinnon with regards to offensive prowess. Coming into Thursday, Kucherov has racked up 28 objectives and 39 assists, and has registered a purpose in 5 of his final seven video games. The Lightning star’s 28 objectives rank third in your complete NHL behind solely Auston Matthews (31) and Sam Reinhart (29). Kucherov can be averaging 0.68 objectives per contest, which is nice for fourth within the league.

Kucherov is presently on tempo for 134 factors (56 objectives & 78 assists) this season. That will be the very best level whole for Kucherov in his profession, simply beating out his 128-point marketing campaign in 2018-19. 

It has been MacKinnon, Kucherov, and everyone else with regards to the Hart Trophy race this season. MacKinnon and Kucherov additionally stand a very good probability at successful the Artwork Ross Trophy because the league’s level chief.

After all, Toronto Maple Leafs ahead William Nylander (57 factors), New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin (57 factors), Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak and McDavid (55 factors) cannot be counted out, particularly in the event that they get sizzling within the second half of the yr.

Vezina Trophy

This season’s Vezina Trophy subject is a two-horse race north of the border. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks are simply the 2 largest favorites for the annual award that honors the NHL’s high netminder.

Nevertheless, as of proper now, Hellebuyck must be thought-about the favourite to take house the Vezina Trophy, and it is fairly straightforward to see why.

Hellebuyck owns a 21-6-3 document to associate with a 2.20 goals-against-average and a .923 save share on the yr. He has solely surrendered greater than two objectives on one event over the previous two months. The Jets netminder final gave up greater than two objectives on Dec. 18 in a 3-2 time beyond regulation loss in opposition to the Montreal Canadiens. Earlier than that, Hellebuyck final yielded greater than two objectives on Nov. 17 in a 6-3 win in opposition to the New Jersey Devils.

The Jets goalie has had a sub 2.00 goals-against-average in every of the final two months, together with a 1.88 goals-against-average in 9 video games all through December. Hellebuyck’s 21 wins are second within the NHL behind solely Colorado Avalanche netminder Alexandar Georgiev (23).

Then again, Demko has been extraordinarily reliable within the crease in his personal proper.

Demko has racked up a 21-8-1 document, a 2.55 goals-against-average, and a .916 save share this season. The Canucks goaltender has had a little bit of a tough patch in current weeks, however he is nonetheless produced a stellar season total. Demko has registered three shutouts, which is nice for third within the NHL. The truth is, solely Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Connor Ingram of the Arizona Coyotes have extra with 4 shutouts to their credit score.

Demko had a goals-against-average of two.37 or higher within the first two months of the 2023-24 season. Despite the fact that he hasn’t been as stellar this month, the 28-year-old nonetheless has yielded three objectives or much less in 4 of these 5 contests.

Halfway by way of the season, Hellebuyck is actually within the driver’s seat so far as the Vezina Trophy is anxious. If Hellebuyck produces a second half just like the primary 41 video games, it is onerous to think about the Jets goaltender not incomes the dignity for the second time in his NHL profession.

Calder Trophy

The Calder Trophy was anticipated to focus on Chicago Blackhawks rookie sensation Connor Bedard. Nevertheless, Bedard underwent surgical procedure to restore a fractured jaw earlier this week, and he’ll now miss six to eight weeks.

That actually flips the Calder race on its ear contemplating that Bedard is presently main all rookies in factors. The Blackhawks star had 33 factors (15 objectives & 18 assists) in 39 video games earlier than being hit by New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith final Friday. Bedard undoubtedly might nonetheless take house the {hardware} if he was a stellar second half, however it’s opened the door for an additional rookie to rise to the highest.

Devils defenseman Luke Hughes is one participant that has the potential to overhaul the Calder race with Bedard on the shelf for the foreseeable future. Hughes is only one level behind Columbus Blue Jackets ahead Adam Fantilli and Minnesota Wild ahead Marco Rossi for second place in factors (24) amongst rookies. The 2021 fourth-overall decide has registered 23 factors (seven objectives & 16 assists) in 39 video games this season.

Hughes beforehand had a four-game level streak late final month and has tallied no less than one level in 5 of his final seven contests. As well as, the Devils blue-liner had scored a purpose in three consecutive video games and joined Barry Beck (1977-78) as the one participant in franchise historical past to attain that feat. And regardless that he is a defenseman, Hughes ranks fourth on the Devils in factors (23), whereas additionally rating third on the group in assists (16).

Regardless of being tied for second in factors behind Bedard, Fantilli and Rossi have been sporadic when it comes to their offensive manufacturing. One other defenseman is taking part in himself into the Calder Trophy dialog in Brock Faber of the Minnesota Wild.

Faber has been very spectacular in his rookie season as he is tallied 19 factors (two objectives & 17 assists) in 40 video games for the Wild. After showing in simply two video games throughout the 2022-23 season, Faber has developed right into a stellar defensive piece for the Wild. The 21-year-old’s 17 assists are second solely to Bedard (18) amongst rookies. Whereas the scoring numbers have not been eye-popping so far, Faber has nonetheless established himself as some of the spectacular rookies this season, and Bedard doubtlessly falling behind within the race helps his trigger.

Until Fantilli and Rossi can decide up their scoring numbers, Hughes must be thought-about the frontrunner to take house the Calder Trophy proper now. It additionally would not damage that he is developed into one of many Devils’ high blue-liners in a comparatively quick time.

Norris Trophy

Very similar to the Vezina Trophy, the battle for the Norris Trophy presently appears to be like to be a two-horse race between Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar.

Hughes is taken into account the frontrunner for the Norris Trophy as of proper now. In any case, the Canucks blue-liner leads all defensemen in factors (51) whereas being second in objectives (11) behind solely Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, who has 12 on the yr. Hughes additionally leads the NHL with 40 assists in 2023-24.

The Canucks star had by no means registered double-digit objectives in his NHL profession, however now could be on tempo to attain 21 objectives this season. Hughes additionally stands to have his first 100-point season if his present tempo holds up. His playmaking potential has been on full show for a Canucks group that’s presently main the Pacific Division.

In the meantime, Makar continues to be the usual with regards to offensive manufacturing for a defenseman. Makar has tallied 48 factors (9 objectives & 39 assists) in 37 video games this season. The 25-year-old is second in factors (48), second in assists (39), and third in objectives (9) amongst NHL defensemen. 

One of many Avalanche blue-liner’s high attributes is his potential to place the puck within the web. Makar has tallied 54 objectives during the last 2.5 seasons, together with a 28-goal marketing campaign when he gained the Norris Trophy throughout the 2021-22 season. 

If Makar can pile on extra objectives within the second half of the yr, it isn’t loopy to suppose that he has an opportunity to overhaul Hughes because the frontrunner for the Norris Trophy. Nevertheless, for now, Hughes leads the pack with an amazing first half that left many jaws on the ice given a few of his spotlight reel performs.

Selke Trophy

The Selke Trophy panorama appears to be like fairly a bit totally different than it has during the last a number of seasons. Former Boston Bruins middle Patrice Bergeron retired following the 2022-23 marketing campaign and left others with the possibility to win the award because the league’s high defensive ahead. Bergeron had gained the award in every of the previous two seasons and 6 instances over the previous 12 seasons.

Florida Panthers ahead Aleksander Barkov actually might succeed Bergeron as one of many high defensive forwards that the game has to supply. When Barkov is on the ice, opponents are averaging simply 1.94 objectives in opposition to per 60 minutes, based on Cash Puck. As well as, Barkov has managed to dish out 39 hits, drive 30 turnovers, and block 26 photographs on the season, along with successful 54.9 p.c (304-of-554) of his face-offs.

Barkov already has one Selke Trophy beneath his belt as he gained the award for his efficiency throughout the 2020-21 season. Throughout that marketing campaign, the Panthers star has recorded 39 takeaways, 37 blocked photographs, and laid 31 hits. He is already eclipsing these numbers this time round, so it is onerous to not place Barkov because the frontrunner for the award so far.

Along with Barkov, Los Angeles Kings middle Anze Kopitar additionally stays within the dialog for the Selke Trophy.

When Kopitar is on the ice, opponents are averaging simply 2.44 objectives in opposition to per 60 minutes, based on Cash Puck. Kopitar has additionally tallied 35 blocked photographs, 17 takeaways, and dished out 13 hits throughout the 2023-24 season. Kopitar can be successful 56.9 p.c (429-of-754) of his face-offs on the season, which is the sixth-best clip in your complete NHL. 

The award appears to be Barkov’s to lose at this level within the yr.

Jack Adams Award

The Jack Adams Award race is paced by a pair of head coaches who’re main a pair of sudden groups towards a possible postseason berth. Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet and Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella are presently the leaders within the clubhouse for the celebrated honor.

Tocchet took over the Canucks within the second half of the 2022-23 season and led the group to a 20-12-4 document to complete out the yr. That success has actually carried over into this season because the Canucks possess a 28-11-3 document (59 factors) and sit atop the Pacific Division.

As you’ll have gathered by the opposite awards, the Canucks have an opportunity to take house some main {hardware} when the awards are handed out this summer season. It is a group that has a stellar goaltender in Thatcher Demko together with sensational playmakers in Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Brock Boeser. The Canucks are presently using a four-game successful streak and have solely recorded back-to-back losses on two events so far in 2023-24.

Maybe much more shocking, Tortorella has the Flyers taking part in some impressed hockey this season. The Flyers have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs up to now three seasons and did not have a lot to construct round when Tortorella got here on board earlier than final season. After a 31-39-13 season in 2022-23, Tortorella has fully turned the tide with a very good mixture of veteran and younger expertise within the type of Travis Konecny, Joel Farabee, Travis Sanheim, and Owen Tippett. The group obtained an enormous enhance once they shipped prospect Cutter Gauthier out of city for defenseman Jamie Drysdale.

Tortorella beforehand gained the award throughout the 2003-04 when he led the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 46-22-6 regular-season document and gained the Stanley Cup. The veteran, opinionated bench boss has had success in all places he is been, and the case seems to be no totally different in Philadelphia, the place the Flyers are very a lot in rivalry for a playoff spot.

As of proper now, Tocchet will get the slight edge simply due to how dominant the Canucks have been this season. Nevertheless, Tortorella could be very a lot within the combine for the Jack Adams Award.