We’re past the midway mark of the season, which means it’s high time to review which players have been playing the best so far. From the rookies to defensemen to goalies, let’s breakdown some of the top candidates to win the major individual awards in the NHL this year.
For more NHL, you can also check out our futures piece for the faves, sleepers, and long shots to win the Stanley Cup this season along with our weekly power rankings piece.
Let’s begin with them rookies. Artemi Panarin and Dylan Larkin are currently the two biggest names to watch here. Sportsbooks have Panarin slightly pegged Panarin as the favorite with odds of around -160 to take the Calder Memorial Trophy home.
Statistically speaking, Panarin is on the top of his class, as the Chicago forward leads all rookies in points (52), goals (18), and assists (25). Larkin, however, is running second to Panarin in all those stat categories, while leading all newcomers in plus-minus (+25), suggesting that of the two, the Detroit forward is the better defender.
Not to take away anything from Panarin, but he’s benefiting from playing alongside a Hart Memorial candidate in Patrick Kane, a luxury Larkin doesn’t have. Larkin has odds of +230 to become just the first Red Wing to win the Calder Memorial Trophy in 51 years.
Also watch out for: Jack Eichel, Shayne Gostisbehere, Max Domi, John Gibson
Rocket Richard Trophy (Leading Goal Scorer)
At least this award is based entirely on hard stats. As of this writing, Patrick Kane(+140) and five-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin (+140) lead all scorers with 32 and 30 goals, respectively. NHL.com is predicting Kane to finish the season with 111 points with 47 goals, the most for any player. Ovechkin is projected to amass just 72 points by regular season’s end, but he’s on pace to rack up a league-leading 49 goals.
Also watch out for: Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Vladimir Tarasenko
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)
It’s barely a contest in this category as most signs point to Braden Holtby of the Capitals. Holtby currently owns the league’s best record of 33-5-3 and is a top six in goals against average (2.06), save percentage (.929, and saves (1,092). He slipped of a bit late January when he picked up back-to-back losses by allowing six total goals to Philadelphia and Atlanta, but appears to be back on track after stitching together three-straight victories, allowing just two goals in each of those games.
Since November 10, Holtby has lost just three times in regulation. Holtby’s odds to win the Vezina Trophy are dancing at around -137 in most books.
Also watch out for: Corey Crawford, Roberto Luongo, Henrik Lundqvist
James Norris Memorial Trophy (Best Defenseman)
Erik Karlsson has won this award before and with the way he’s playing this season, he might want to clear another space on his trophy case. As of this writing, the Senators blue liner has odds near -330 to pocket his third James Norris Trophy.
Karlsson leads the league in assists (48) and paces all defensemen in points (59) to go along with 11 goals and plus-minus of +7 (on pace to finish +10). He’s not without competition though, as the likes of Drew Doughty and John Klingberg are also having terrific seasons. Doughty, at this point, leads all blue liners in team shot attempts when he’s on the ice, while Klingberg leads NHL defensemen in Corsi For per 60 minutes.
Also watch out for: PK Subban, Roman Josi, Oliver Ekman Larsson
Hart Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
For the first time in many years, Alex Ovechkin isn’t the best player on the Washington Capitals roster. Well, he’s still the best skater, but it’s Braden Holtby who deserves the most props. Holtby has been amazing this season, even better than Carey Price last year. To demonstrate how dominant Holtby has been, consider that he’s 18-1-3 with a 2.04 GAA and a .930 SV%.
That said, Holtby’s just second to Patrick Kane in the odds to win the Hart Memorial Trophy. Kane, who is currently at -500 to win the award, is having quite a season, as he’s on top of everybody in points (76) and goals (32) and is second in assists (44). Furthermore, Kane owns the league best average of 2.78 point per 60 minutes on ice while helping his team win 53.6% of the shots on five-on-five situations when he’s on the ice.
