What if the Toronto Maple Leafs did their own NHL Awards?
In a normal year, it’s a fun exercise to look at the nominees for all of the top NHL Awards, and arguing why certain Toronto Maple Leafs players could have easily been nominated.
This year, clearly, things are different. It’s early July, the Stanley Cup hasn’t been awarded (and may or may not, given the currently fluid situation), there’s no free-agent frenzy, and (thankfully) there’s been minimal talk from mainstream pundits as to which players the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to give away for free to stay cap compliant.
With not much else at this current point in time to talk about, let’s take the exercise one step further: what if every NHL team did its own internal version of the NHL Awards? And in this hypothetical world, which Leafs walk away with all the major prizes?
We’ll be leaving out anything that’s redundant (Ted Lindsay Award, William M. Jennings Trophy), impossible to award (Conn Smythe Award) or gets awarded by default (GM of the Year: Kyle Dubas)
Hart Memorial Trophy
Nominees: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares
In every meaning of the word, Auston Matthews was the Toronto Maple Leafs’ MVP this year. The superstar center elevated his game on both sides of the ice, he scored at a rate that was on-pace to shatter Rick Vaive’s single-season goals record and picked up a competency on the defensive end of the ice that was lacking in his game in seasons prior.
His continual evolution as a player is an inspiring sign, especially taking into context how young he is and how high his ceiling can be, that Matthews can one day become the greatest Leaf of all-time.
Matthews also receives the Art Ross Trophy (most points) and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (most goals).
James Norris Memorial Trophy
Nominees: Morgan Rielly, Tyson Barrie, Jake Muzzin
The Defenseman of the year award is generally awarded to the highest-scoring defenseman on the team. If that were the case here, our Norris winner would be Tyson Barrie, who performed quite well the moment Mike Babcock was sent packing.
Instead, this award goes to Jake Muzzin, without whom, this team would have been truly lost with the added absence of Morgan Rielly.
Muzzin elevates the play of every teammate he’s paired with, is a leader in the dressing room and was sorely missed on the ice during the stints of the season when he was injured.
Vezina Trophy
Nominees: Frederik Andersen, Jack Campbell, Frederik Andersen Again
Despite some shaky play at times, Frederik Andersen is the goalie of the year (once again) for this team.
The lack of a competent backup again this season (until Jack Campbell arrived), meant that Andersen had to go above and beyond to keep this team in the playoff race.
Rest up now Fred, the boys are gonna need you whenever the puck drops again.
Calder Memorial Trophy
Nominees: Rasmus Sandin, Ilya Mikheyev, Pierre Engvall
Ilya Mikheyev is your Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie of the year. Despite only playing in 39 games, Mikheyev scored at an impressive rate and quickly established a role in the top-6 forward group.
He also put up an impressive effort defensively, routinely making plays to preserve possession, or falling back to support the defense when needed.
Frank J. Selke Trophy
Nominees: Auston Matthews, Zach Hyman, Ilya Mikheyev
Despite impressive performances from both of the other nominees, the Best Defensive Forward on this team is Zach Hyman.
He’s continually the first guy up to take a face-off on the penalty kill, despite not being a center, and the guy you want out there defending a one-goal lead with an empty net on the other end of the ice.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Nominees: Jack Campbell, Ilya Mikheyev, Auston Matthews
We tried to give the award for Most Gentlemanly Player to Jack Campbell, but he spent his entire acceptance speech time giving stick taps to the other nominees and talking up how either one of them should have won it. What a guy.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Nominees: Zach Hyman, William Nylander, Justin Holl
This award is for dedication to the sport of hockey and perseverance in the face of adversity. While Justin Holl and Zach Hyman both have reasons to be commended, for surviving Mike Babcock and recovering from a devastating injury while having a career-high year, respectively, this award is going to William Nylander.
To call his season a comeback is an understatement, William Nylander went through a career evolution this season, developing into an elite net-front presence power forward who could seemingly score at will.
In 68 games, Nylander scored a career-high 31 goals and was on pace to shatter his career-high points totals. And he did it all amongst cries from a less-educated section of the fanbase who still, to this day, cry that he must be traded (not happening by the way).
Jack Adams Award
Nominees: Sheldon Keefe, Mike Babcock
Literally no debate necessary here, it’s Sheldon Keefe. Babcock’s time as head coach should have ended the moment Game 7 versus Boston ended last year.
King Clancy Memorial Trophy
This award is going to team captain, John Tavares. A consummate professional both on and off the ice, Tavares was the top (and correct) choice for the “C”.
Not only did Tavares lead the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he also led them in the community, spearheading many community outreach programs throughout the year.
This culminated in the founding of the John Tavares Foundation, a new charity that promises to prioritize wellness and inclusivity in hockey.
Tavares is also being awarded the Mark Messier Leadership Trophy, in recognition of his captainly qualities on the ice.