Toronto Maple Leafs: Predicting the 2019-20 NHL Awards
As each day passes, it seems less likely that we’ll see another Toronto Maple Leafs game played this year.
If the season were to end, not only would it be unfortunate for Toronto Maple Leafs fans, but it would be too bad for the players that had legitimate chances at winning NHL Awards this year.
Although it’s not fair, the NHL Awards typically come down to the last 10 games of the regular season.
If it’s a tight race, based on recency bias, the player who finishes stronger will usually win the award. Although every game is equal in an 82-game season, those last games end up getting valued as more important.
Also, a lot of awards get weighted heavily if that individuals team makes the playoffs.
However, in a world where nobody makes the playoffs and there would still be enough games left that those teams outside the top-eight could actually get into the big dance, it would be interesting to see how people vote.
In regards to the NHL awards and your beloved Toronto Maple Leafs, there were as many as three awards that an individual had a strong chance at winning this year if the season continued. The stoppage really hurts two of these people, yet one would still win regardless.
Auston Matthews had a chance at winning the Maurice Richard Trophy for most goals, but won’t get that opportunity if the season ends today. It’s possible Matthews could also get a Hart Trophy nomination.
The other individual who will be denied is Sheldon Keefe who had a chance at winning the Jack Adams award for best coach, but needed those last 12 games to prove his worth and provide a larger sample-size.
Meanwhile, William Nylander should still win the 2020 NHL Comeback Player of the Year after going from 27 points in 2018-19 to 59 points, including 31 goals this season.
Although there are 15 total awards, let’s look at the top seven starting with the Lady Byng and Selke award:
2020 NHL Awards
Lady Byng Award:
- Given to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability
Finalists:
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Alexander Barkov
- Ryan O’Reilly
Winner: Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon is having an MVP-type season and is doing it with grace. As someone who idolizes Sidney Crosby, MacKinnon is taking the many exceptional traits of Crosby and displaying them on the ice this season.
In 69 games played, Mackinnon already has 35 goals and 93 points, which is one of the highest in the league. However, the biggest reason why he deserves this award is that he’s doing all these amazing things and only has 12 penalty minutes on the season.
Frank J. Selke Trophy:
- An annual award given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.
Finalists:
- Ryan O’Reilly
- Patrice Bergeron
- Sean Couturier
Winner: Sean Couturier
Couturier is having an incredible season and has proven to be one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL, and he scores quote a bit too.
2020 NHL Awards
Jack Adams Award:
- Presented to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success, selected in a poll of NHLPA members.
Finalists:
- Bruce Cassidy
- Alain Vigneault
- Mike Sullivan
Winner: Alain Vigneault
The Jack Adams award typically goes to a new coach that takes a team that missed the playoffs in the previous season and turns them into a playoff team. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best coach in the league, because Scotty Bowman has only won this award twice.
As a new coach in Philadelphia, Vigneault’s team is currently second in the Metropolitan Division, but has the fourth most points in the Eastern Conference. After missing the playoffs last season, Vigneault is a prime candidate for the award this year.
Calder Trophy:
- An annual award given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the NHL, selected in a PWHA poll
Finalists:
- Quinn Hughes
- Cale Makar
- Dominik Kubalik
Winner: Cale Makar
Makar is a no doubt the rookie of the year. With 12 goals and 50 points, Makar is having an exceptional season not only as a freshman, but for all NHL defenseman.
Makar is seventh among NHL defenseman in points, while playing only 21:00 minutes per night, which is 75th among all defenseman. It’ll be no surprise if Makar wins a few Norris trophies by the end of his career as well.
Speaking of which…
2020 NHL Awards
James Norris Memorial Trophy:
- An annual award given to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.
Finalists:
- John Carlson
- Victor Hedman
- Roman Josi
Winner: John Carlson
Carlson eats minutes averaging 24:36 per night, while putting up an exceptional point total. Carlson has 75 points this year, including 15 goals.
However, the one thing that makes him so impressive is that he’s doing most of the work even-strength. 49 of his 75 points have came even-strength, including 13 goals.
Most defenseman need the man-advantage in order to rack up points, but Carlson has found a way to do most of his work without that necessity.
Washington Capitals fans are hoping that Carlson is hitting his prime in his 12th season, but it’ll be interesting to see if he’ll ever to be able to recapture a season like this, as he’s already matched career highs in every category, despite having 13 games left to play.
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – APRIL 18: Connor Hellebuyck #37. (Photo by Jason Halstead/Getty Images)
2020 NHL Awards
Vezina Trophy:
- An annual award given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position as voted by the general managers of all NHL clubs.
Finalists:
- Tuuka Rask
- Andrei Vasilevskiy
- Connor Hellebuyck
Winner: Connor Hellebuyck
This was probably the toughest decision to make throughout the entire awards process, but Hellebuyck is most deserving.
The old days of goaltenders playing 70-plus games is finished, but Hellebuyck was well on his way to reaching that mark this season and that should mean something. In 58 games played, Hellebuyck has a 31-21-5 record, .922 Save Percentage, 2.57 Goals Against Average and six shutouts.
Although Rask has similar stats as Hellebuyck, Rask has played in 17 less games and is doing it on a team that is much better defensively than the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets defense was in shambles when Dustin Byfuglien decided not to show up this year, so Hellebuyck has been the team’s MVP as they fight for a playoff spot.
2020 NHL Awards
Hart Memorial Trophy
- The Hart Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in all NHL cities at the end of the regular season
Finalists:
- Connor McDavid
- Leon Draisaitl
- Nathan MacKinnon
Winner: Leon Draisaitl
I’ve always hated the Hart Trophy and what it represents because the definition says that it is the most valuable player to his team, but that’s not typically who wins this award, though.
For example, you could argue that Nathan MacKinnon is the most valuable player to his team this year because he has 43 more points than the next player on Colorado. But, since he’s still 17 points away from Draisaitl, how could he more valuable than him?
However, Draisaitl gets to play with McDavid most nights, so because of that, does that make him less valuable than any other player in the league? But as a counterpoint, Draisaitl has played more games than McDavid and is still averaging a higher points-per-game total than him.
Hmm…..
Personally, I think the award needs to be changed to ‘Most Outstanding Player’ instead of ‘Most Valuable’ because if that’s the case, it would be an easier decision to pick Draisaitl.
Next. Grading All 40 Brian Burke Trades. dark
Regardless, Draisaitl will still win this award because you can’t look past 43 goals and 110 points this year, despite who he’s playing with.