NHL 2021-22 Award Predictions

The NHL Season is right around the corner. Here are the NHL 2021-22 Award Predictions for the highly-anticipated season.

Art Ross Trophy (Awarded to the player who leads the league in total points at the end of the regular season): Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid is undoubtedly the best player in the NHL, already dominating the league at the age of 24. In his young but successful career, McDavid already has 3 Art Ross Trophies, putting him top 10 in NHL History for most Art Ross Trophies. McDavid can continue to add to that number by potentially winning his 4th Art Ross Trophy in his career.

Hart Trophy (Awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team): Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton

In addition to an Art Ross Trophy, McDavid can win back-to-back Hart Trophies and potentially his third career Hart. Year in and year out, McDavid is a massive factor in the Edmonton Oilers’ success, carrying them to the playoffs for the past two years, showing why he is very deserving of this award.

Calder Memorial Trophy (Awarded to the league’s most outstanding rookie player): Cole Caufield, RW, Montreal Canadiens

After making the jump to the NHL towards the end of the regular season last year, Cole Caufield exploded in the playoffs, being one of the key factors to the Canadiens Stanley Cup Finals run. This season will be Caufield’s official rookie season and based on what we saw last year, Caufield could run away with the Calder Trophy.

Frank J. Selke Trophy (Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game): Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers

Aleksander Barkov is regarded as one of the best two-way forwards in the game, being able to produce offensive and being sturdy defensively. In the past six seasons, Barkov has been around a point per game pace and even won the Selke Trophy last year. With an improved roster around him, Barkov could elevate his game and potentially win back-to-back Selke Trophies.

Vezina Trophy (Awarded to the league’s top goaltender): Connor Helleybuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets

Connor Helleybuyck is regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the league and has been performing at an elite level in the last few seasons despite having a weak defense. This offseason, the Winnipeg Jets loaded up on defense, and with a new and improved defense, Hellebuyck could end up with the Vezina Trophy.

James Norris Memorial Trophy (Awarded to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position): Cale Makar, RD, Colorado Avalanche

Cale Makar is one of the most electrifying young defensemen in the league and already is making the case of being the best defenseman in the league at the age of 22. Makar has been on a tear ever since coming into the league and could have won the Norris Trophy if he didn’t get injured. This year is Makar’s year to finally win his first James Norris Trophy.

Ted Lindsay Award (Awarded to the NHL’s outstanding player as selected by the members of the NHLPA): Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

On top of his Art Ross and Hart Trophy, Connor McDavid has a great chance at winning the Ted Lindsay Award for being the most outstanding player voted on by fellow NHL players. If McDavid continues his play from last year, he can easily win his 4th Ted Lindsay Award of his career.

Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (Awarded to the top goal scorer in the regular season): Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Ever since coming into the league, Auston Matthews has established himself as one of the best young goal scorers in the game. Last year, Matthews earned his first Rocket Richard Trophy with 41 goals in 52 games. This year, he’ll continue his goal-scoring dominance and win his second Richard Trophy.

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