NHL AWARDS SUMMARY

NHL / Hockey

Written by Chase Howard

The NHL hosted their annual hour-long award show June 21st at 7 pm EST. During which they presented the remaining major awards, namely the Calder, Vezina, Norris, Lindsay and Hart trophies. Every sports fan loves a good award debate; let's get into it.

Source (Background Photo): NHL

Calder Trophy - Best Rookie

Michael Bunting, Toronto Maple Leafs

Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings - Winner

Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks

While all of these guys impressed in their first campaigns, Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider seemed to get better every week, really separating himself in the season’s waning months. The 21-year-old has taken up the mantle as Detroit's no.1 blue liner, looking every bit the part, regardless of age or experience. Providing excellent play in all three zones has quickly made him a guy to be relied upon for his team, playing 23+ minutes a night against some of the best the NHL has to offer. Trevor Zegras and Michael Bunting have had successful seasons piling up points, and are likely to have good careers, yet Seider is certainly deserving of the Calder Trophy. In the end, his victory was assured. Seider collected 170 first-place votes and 1,853 voting points, well ahead of second-place Trevor Zegras (15 first-place votes and 1,191 points) and third-place Michael Bunting (seven first-place votes and 877 points).

Vezina Trophy - Best Goaltender

Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers - Winner

Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators

Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames

Shesterkin locked up this award after a stellar regular season, during which he put up a .935 save %, and a 2.07 GA, going 35-9-4 in 52 starts. In fact, it's worth noting he wasn't just the best goaltender this season, he had one of the best goaltending seasons in recent memory. Since the 2007-08 campaign, Iggy’s numbers this season ranked sixth among all goaltenders by goals saved above average; all those above him played at least ten more games. His play at times this season has been simply absurd, despite the NHL having the highest goal-scoring average since the 95-96 season, Shesterkin’s .935 save percentage is third all-time among goaltenders who played in half their team’s games. Shesterkin received 29 first-place votes and 154 voting points. Runner-up Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames received 53 voting points and third-place Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators was third with 32.

Norris Trophy - Best Defenseman

Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche - Winner

Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

Victor Headman Tampa Bay Lighting

In the closest race of the night, despite Hedman's stellar play; it was a tight two-horse race between Makar and Josi. This seems a bit strange when you consider Headman's excellency. It seems likely that there's a bit of voter fatigue on this front as Headman has been a finalist for the last six seasons straight, surprisingly winning only once. Makar meanwhile was exceptional for the Avalanche, leading all defensemen in the NHL in goals with 28, becoming just the fifth defenseman in the last 30 years to reach that plateau. He ranks second in points among defensemen with 86 and sat fifth in the league in plus-minus with 48. Josi was similarly dominant, shattering his previous career highs in goals (16), assists (49), and points (65) from his Norris-winning 19-20 campaign, collecting 22 goals and 71 assists for 93 points. In doing so the Swiss native became the first defenseman to hit the 90-point plateau in a season since Hall of Famer Ray Bourque in 93-94. The Predators captain did all this while playing some of the most minutes in the league at 25:31 per game. While Norris voting is based on regular-season performances only, Makar has gone on to further showcase his value as the Colorado Avalanche has advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. With his team-leading 3-1 in their best-of-seven series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Makar is third in playoff scoring with 27 points and is the betting favourite to win the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP if the Avalanche prevail. In the end, the voters from the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association gave Josi the edge with 98 first-place votes. Makar received 92 but polled higher in the top-five ballots. He eked out the victory by a margin of 1,631 to 1,606 points.

Lindsay Trophy - Most outstanding player

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs - Winner

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

All three candidates here had a good case for this award. Matthews’s production was marvelous this season; he's perhaps the best shooter the league has to offer. With Josi it's heart-warming to see him finally earn the recognition he's long deserved for the quality of play he provides, seemingly stepping it up again this season. McDavid meanwhile is widely regarded as the deadliest player in hockey. After posting a league-leading 105 points in the shortened 56-game 2020-21 campaign, taking home his second Hart and Ted Lindsay, McDavid repeated as scoring champion with 123 points in this year’s regular season. Matthews however, became the first player in a decade to hit the 60-goal mark in 2022, collecting his second-straight Rocket Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal scorer. As just the fifth repeat winner since the award was introduced in 1999, he joins Pavel Bure (2000, 2001), Steven Stamkos (2010, 2012), and Sidney Crosby (2010, 2017) as a two-time Rocket Richard recipients; Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has won the award nine times since 2008. In the end, the voters decide Matthews was deserving to be this year's recipient. The NHL Players’ Association does not reveal the voting details for the Ted Lindsay Award.

Hart Trophy - Most Valuable Player

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs - Winner

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers

Once again all three finalists had a sound argument for this award, possessing the titles of this season's best playmaker, best goal scorer, and best goaltender. All were at the forefront for playoff teams and are talents that other teams would kill to have. However, after an in-depth analysis, it seems like the right time for Auston Matthews to win his first Hart. The 24-year-old smashed both personal and team records with 60 goals in 73 games, leading the league's second-most prolific offense with 106 points. The Leafs star has greatly improved his all-around game even leading all forwards in takeaways this season with 92. The California native provides precisely the sort of day-in, day-out superstar production that is incredibly hard to find, yet very easy to appreciate. After becoming only the third player to score 60 goals during one campaign in the 2000s, Matthews is deserving of this award. In the end, Matthews earned 119 first-place votes and a total of 1,630 voting points. McDavid was the runner-up with 29 first-place votes and a total of 1,111 voting points. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers finished third with 24 first-place votes and 738 points.

Awards previously presented:

• Art Ross Trophy, most regular-season points - Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

• Rocket Richard Trophy, most regular-season goals - Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs

• Selke Trophy, forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game - Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins

• Masterton Trophy, the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey - Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

• Lady Byng Trophy, player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability - Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets

• William M. Jennings Trophy, awarded to the goalie(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it - Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta, Carolina Hurricanes

• King Clancy Memorial Trophy, the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community - P.K. Subban, New Jersey Devils

• Jack Adams Award, the NHL coach judged to have contributed the most to his team's success, as voted by the NHL Broadcasters' Association - Darryl Sutter, Calgary Flames

• Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team on and off the ice during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey - Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

• Willie O'Ree Community Award, recognizing an individual who best utilizes hockey as a platform to teach teamwork, humility, respect, and builds strong inclusive communities - Noel Acton, Baltimore, Maryland