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NHL Award Leaders: Top 3 (Hart, Vezina, Calder, & More)

By Ryan Ritchie

Mar 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) handles the puck in the third period of the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Staples Center. Kings won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) handles the puck in the third period of the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Staples Center. Kings won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Award Leaders: Top 3 (Hart, Vezina, Calder, Selke, & More)

Periodically we release updates for NHL award leaders of each individual trophy. Deep races particularly surround the Vezina and Calder Trophy races where several candidates are vying for consideration.

Two of the NHL’s hottest stories this season have hit a recent rut. Patrick Kane and Braden Holtby are both experiencing the toughest stretch of hockey they’ve faced in 2015-16.

Below are updated predictions with the top three NHL award leaders for each trophy:

Art Ross

Mar 20, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) with the puck during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) with the puck during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
2. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
3. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Even with Patrick Kane’s lack of recent production, there is little chance anyone catches him. Sidney Crosby may close the gap significantly by seasons end though.

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Maurice “Rocket” Richard

1. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
2. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
3. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

Similar to the Art Ross, almost zero percent chance of a trailing player catching Alex Ovechkin. He’s sitting eight short of 50 goals (42).

Hart

1. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
2. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
3. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

Regardless of how the season ends, it will be difficult for anyone to knock off Patrick Kane from league MVP. He dominated the NHL for much of 2015-16, and was the star of the NHL’s best line which also featured Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin.

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Vezina

1. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
2. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
3. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Holtby’s 2016 calendar year has been a struggle thus far, and he’s all but squandered his opportunity to become the first NHL goalie to collect 50 wins in a single season – but he should still be considered the favorite for the Vezina.

Jonathan Quick is also making his voice heard in 2016, putting up similar numbers to Ben Bishop. Other names also in the mix include the injured Cory Schneider, Roberto Luongo, plus several others.

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James Norris

Mar 18, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) carries the puck up ice during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Buffalo beats Ottawa 3 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) carries the puck up ice during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Buffalo beats Ottawa 3 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
2. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
3. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars

Karlsson began to run away with the Norris back in January, as Doughty hit a slump before Los Angeles recently found its groove once again.

Klingberg deserves more consideration, proving an offensive juggernaut with a plus-15 (+15) rating on a struggling defensive Dallas Stars team. He takes flack for his defensive game, but he’s fairly a sound defensemen. Much of his errors come from positional play – something you can teach a young defender, and improve upon.

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Calder

Mar 6, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) with the puck during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) with the puck during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks
2. Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers
3. Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres

A rough second half, coupled with the emergence of Shayne Gostisbehere is to blame for Dylan Larkin and Max Domi working their way out of the top three.

Consistent quality play from Jack Eichel is paying off in 2016 on the scoresheet, finally being rewarded more for his efforts.

Frank J. Selke

1. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
2. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
3. Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals

Joining Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews after signing a similar contract extension earlier in the year, Kopitar is proving why he is one of the NHL’s best two-way center’s. Finding more consistency than usual in 2015-16, Anze should be considered the favorite to win the Selke. 

Bergeron and Backstrom deserve (and usually receive) consideration for the Selke every year. These guys take the important face-offs and line up against the NHL’s best each night.

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Lady Byng

Ryan O’Reilly
Ryan O’Reilly /

, Buffalo Sabres

2. 3.

A big honorable mention to Columbus Blue Jackets F Alexander Wennberg, currently with zero penalty minutes in 59 games this season. Accidents happen with errant sticks, making that an impressive feat for the young Swedish forward.

Jack Adams

1. Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals
2. Bruce Boudreau, Anaheim Ducks
3. Gerard Gallant, Florida Panthers

No team in the NHL has been more impressive this season than Washington. Coaches rarely are given enough credit for what they do. Whether it comes to the system in place, game-to-game preparation, or practice, Barry Trotz deserves a lot of credit for making sure these guys are ready to play every night.

Next: Important Games to Watch (Mar.20-Mar.26)

If anyone can challenge Trotz for the award, it’s Bruce Boudreau. After a slow start scoring less than a goal per game, it seemed Anaheim was destined for the draft lottery. An improbable second half has seen the Ducks now emerge as one of the NHL’s elite, where they now battle Los Angeles for a division lead.

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