VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 10: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after defeating the Vancouver Canucks during overtime in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on May 10, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
Below are my picks for the NHL individual awards so far in the 2024-25 season.
Current Pick – Art Ross Trophy – Most Points – Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Preseason – Art Ross Trophy – Most Points – Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
McDavid will always be my preseason pick for this award because we all know what he’s capable of. However, an injury early on in the season and a suspension in January has cost him games this season. MacKinnon hit the 140 mark last season and is leading the way at the Four Nations break. I think the defending league MVP will continue his current pace and win the Art Ross.
Current Pick – Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy – Top Goal Scorer – Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Preseason – Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy – Top Goal Scorer – Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Draisaitl holds a seven goal lead over the competition at the break and has been playing at an MVP pace. A 7-goal lead with less than 30 games left will be tough to lose barring an injury.
Current Pick – Frank J. Selke Trophy – Top Defensive Forward – Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Preseason – Frank J. Selke Trophy – Top Defensive Forward – Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Barkov was my preseason pick for Selke and I’m sticking to it. He has won 59.4% of his faceoffs, including 62.5% of the defensive zone faceoffs he has taken. He’s also averaging 1:39 time on ice on the penalty kill for the Panthers. The defending Selke winner should take it home again in 2025.
Current Pick – Calder Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year – Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Preseason – Calder Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year – Cutter Gauthier, Anaheim Ducks
The 2024 1st overall pick has been worth it for the Sharks this season as he has 17 goals and 23 assists so far in 45 games. He did miss time due to injury early on but came back and hasn’t missed a beat. The team may be struggling, but Celebrini has shown that there’s excitement for the future in San Jose.
Current Pick – Jack Adams Award – Top Head Coach – Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Preseason – Jack Adams Award – Top Head Coach – Craig Berube, Toronto Maple Leafs
I don’t think anyone saw the Washington Capitals leading the Eastern Conference in points at the Four Nations break. Carbery has done an excellent job leading the Capitals to a surprising season so far and should be a lock for Coach of the Year.
Current Pick – James Norris Memorial Trophy – Top Defenseman – Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Preseason – James Norris Memorial Trophy – Top Defenseman – Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Makar has been excellent on the offensive side and is on pace for the first 30 goal season by a defenseman since the 2008-09 season. He’s 2nd on the Avs in shorthanded time on ice. He leads the league in takeaways at the break with 46. He’s 3rd in the league in time on ice with close to 26 minutes a game. Zach Werenski has made a real case to win the Norris but Makar’s overall ability has him ahead of anyone in the Norris case.
Current Pick – Vezina Trophy – Top Goaltender – Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Preseason – Vezina Trophy – Top Goaltender – Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
Hellebuyck continues to show why he’s one of the best goalies in the league as he’s been terrific in his Vezina title defense. He boasts a 34-7-2 record at the break while being 1st in GAA and 2nd in Save %. As it stands at the break Hellebuyck should successfully defend his Vezina title.
Current Pick – Hart Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player – Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Preseason – Hart Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player – Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
With McDavid missing time early and having a three game suspension, Draisaitl has been consistent across the board for the Oilers all season long. The German center leads the league in goals, including 9 of them being game winning goals. He’s second in the league in points behind Nathan MacKinnon. Draisaitl should lock down his second Hart Trophy with a good close to the 2024-25 season.
Kevin Maggiore has been producing on the Felger & Mazz program since January of 2022 and has been producing with 98.5 The Sports Hub since 2018. Kevin also produces New England Patriots broadcasts on The Sports Hub and has produced Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins broadcasts in the past. Kevin grew up in Saugus, Massachusetts and is still in the area today. A lifelong hockey fan, Kevin collects hockey jerseys and has over 100 jerseys in his collection. Kevin loves spending his time away from the office on the golf course. Kevin writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.
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