NHL awards preview for 2020-21 NHL season

He has been shut, ending because the runner-up on two completely different events and sixth one different time, however has but to truly win the MVP award. Could this be the 12 months it occurs? The Avalanche are going to be contenders and MacKinnon is a number one candidate to complete as the highest scorer within the league, one thing that at all times places a participant on the prime of the MVP dialogue. 

As lengthy as he stays wholesome McDavid goes to be a contender for the scoring title and the MVP. He has completed within the top-five of the MVP race in every of the previous 4 years and within the top-two of the scoring race in every of these years. He already has one MVP award and is trying to be a part of an unique membership of gamers to win it once more. Only 18 gamers have gained it multiple time, and solely two lively gamers (Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin). The Oilers might be ok to place him again in that dialogue. 

A back-to-back MVP winner? It is definitely attainable. Draisaitl has been one of many league’s elite offensive gamers the previous two years and is one among two MVP candidates on the Oilers (becoming a member of McDavid). As lengthy as McDavid stays wholesome although it appears troublesome to think about Draisaitl ending forward of him within the scoring race or MVP race, but when he repeats his efficiency from the previous two seasons he will definitely be within the dialogue. 

Panarin performed his method into the MVP race a 12 months in the past in his first 12 months with the Rangers, and he needs to be there once more this season. What is more likely to damage him within the race is the chance that the Rangers will miss the playoffs, which is seen as disqualifying amongst many citizens. Still, Panarin goes to be among the finest gamers within the league and if the Rangers are even near the playoffs he’ll get loads of consideration once more. 

With David Pastrnak set to overlook the primary a part of the season, it will be a chance for Marchand to construct his personal MVP case. You could not like the best way Marchand performs, chances are you’ll not just like the sideshow antics, chances are you’ll not even like him, however it’s important to acknowledge he is likely one of the NHL’s very best gamers. 

At this level, it might be a light upset if Hedman doesn’t win. At the very least, it’s important to anticipate him to be a finalist if he’s wholesome all season. Hedman is the most effective all-around defenseman within the sport proper now and is the highest participant on the league’s greatest workforce. He controls the sport in all three zones and all phases. Shutdown protection, elite offense, clean within the transition sport. He does all of it. 

Heiskanen has been one of many league’s greatest younger defenders throughout his first two years within the league and took an particularly important step a 12 months in the past in 12 months two of his profession. He was the Stars’ greatest general participant on their playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final and would have been a Conn Smythe winner had the Stars gained. If he continues on this path he’ll win a Norris Trophy in his profession. Will it’s this season?

The reigning Norris Trophy winner needs to be within the dialogue. Josi is coming off a fantastic 2019-20 season and has been one of many league’s prime defenders for a number of years and completed within the top-seven of the voting 5 completely different occasions. He is a lock for 15 targets and 50 factors from the blue line each season. 

Hamilton was on observe to be a finalist for the award a 12 months in the past till an damage sidetracked his common season. Expect an enormous season from him as he enters a contract 12 months for the Hurricanes. When wholesome there was a powerful argument to be made he was the most effective all-around defenseman within the NHL a 12 months in the past and there’s no purpose to anticipate him to regress a lot this season. 

He is likely to be the following large factor within the NHL. In reality, he’s a part of a trio of younger defensemen (becoming a member of Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen and Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes) which might be going to be competing for the Norris Trophy for the foreseeable future. Makar gained the Calder Trophy because the league’s rookie of the 12 months a 12 months in the past and may take one other important step ahead this season for a Stanley Cup contending Colorado Avalanche workforce. 

He is already a particular goalie and is on observe to be among the finest gamers of his period. He has been a finalist for the Vezina Trophy three years in a row and has helped make the Lightning the NHL’s greatest workforce over the previous half-decade. A workforce this nice with a goalie this nice is a big problem for the remainder of the league. 

Hellebuyck gained the award a 12 months in the past (the second time he completed within the top-three of the voting over the previous three years) for the best way he helped carry an undermanned Jets protection to playoff competition. He is sturdy, he performs at an elite degree and goes to be within the dialogue once more if he can get the Jets again to the playoffs. Or not less than near them. 

Always underappreciated in Boston, Rask remains to be one of many league’s elite goalies. He goes to have his work minimize out for him this season enjoying behind what appears to be the thinnest Bruins protection in years. He is nice sufficient to make up for that. He has gained the award as soon as and was the runner-up a 12 months in the past. 

Lehner is likely one of the league’s greatest goalies, and whereas he could have to separate the time with Marc-Andre Fleury, it appears fairly clear that there’s a path there for him to get the vast majority of the enjoying time. He gained the job within the playoffs, and coach Pete DeBoer appears to favor him. If he does get the vast majority of the enjoying time he’s ok to play his method into the Vezina dialogue and maybe even win it. 

He was one of many largest surprises within the NHL a 12 months in the past, ending within the top-five of the Vezina and Calder Trophy award votes. Was it a fluke? Or is he the actual deal? I’m going to take the possibility and say he’s the actual deal and can assist Columbus not solely keep within the playoff race all 12 months but in addition get them again to the playoffs. 

Shesterkin formally takes over the New York web instead of Henrik Lundqvist, and he’s the main entrance runner for the Calder Trophy this season. He appeared in 12 video games a 12 months in the past and was sensational in that preliminary debut. He is likely one of the largest causes the Rangers ought to have some optimism for this 12 months and the longer term. 

Yes, the Rangers have two Calder Trophy candidates this season. The Rangers had lottery luck on their aspect for the second 12 months in a row to provide them a second consecutive top-two decide, quickly accelerating their rebuild. Expectations needs to be stored inside purpose for Lafreniere (not each No. 1 general decide instantly steps in and dominates) however an enormous season from him might assist put the Rangers into extra severe playoff competition. 

The Wild have been ready for Kaprizov to make his debut for 5 years now. He is lastly right here. The 23-year-old is older than most rookies within the class, however he has been among the finest gamers on the earth not within the NHL and was a dominant offensive power in Russia’s KHL. Expect a direct impression from him, and maybe even an All-Star degree efficiency. 

The Ducks want one thing to provide them some hope for a fast turnaround, and so they do have some intriguing younger gamers coming by means of the group. Zegras is probably the most promising and maybe the most probably to take an enormous step towards stardom this season. A gifted playmaker, Zegras was dominant on the current World Junior Championships and is coming into this season with loads of hype behind him due largely to that efficiency. 

The Kings have the most effective farm system in hockey and so they simply maintain including impression expertise to it. Byfield, the No. 2 general decide within the 2020 class, is the largest potential celebrity of all of them. He will not be a very completed product (what teenager participant is?) however he brings monumental potential to the lineup this season and goes to be one of the thrilling rookies within the league. 

He would possibly really be a little bit of an extended shot as a result of his workforce is likely to be too good, elevating expectations for what he ought to accomplish. But so long as the Avalanche don’t underachieve (they need to not) he’s going to get loads of consideration and votes for behind behind the bench of a Stanley Cup contender. 

The Jack Adams award often goes to a coach whose workforce exceeds expectations. One that makes the playoffs when it isn’t anticipated, often due largely to nice goaltending. Well, that just about describes this potential final result right here. The Blue Jackets aren’t a lock to make the playoffs, and so they have the goaltending that might steal a spot for them. The recipe for a coach of the 12 months award is all proper right here. 

Simply as a result of he is likely to be the most effective coach within the NHL and he simply retains discovering methods to squeeze as a lot as he presumably can out of this New York Islanders roster. The group has had extra success with him in two years than it had within the earlier 20 years (mixed!) earlier than him. 

Cooper has by no means gained the Jack Adams award and it looks like he might get the “career achievement” vote this 12 months. He has been one of many prime coaches within the league for years now, is coming off of a Stanley Cup victory, and goes to be teaching a season with out one among his greatest gamers (Nikita Kucherov) which nearly definitely be talked about as a part of his argument. 

The Oilers have an opportunity to be fairly good this season, not solely as a result of their two superstars on the prime of the roster and their improved depth but in addition as a result of the North Division for this season is huge open. It is winnable for them. If he has the Oilers competing for a division title and looking out like a contender that’s going to be a powerful level in his favor.