Toronto Maple Leafs: Predicting the 2019-20 NHL Awards
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…