Wednesday, June 21 happens to be my birthday, but it feels a lot more like Christmas this year. Not only will the NHL’s newest franchise the Vegas Golden Knights unveil their expansion roster (see our predictions for the Golden Knights expansion roster), but the NHL awards will also be handed out in Las Vegas.
2017 NHL Award Winner Predictions
Really this is a list of who we The Hockey Fanatics would like to see win the NHL awards for this past year’s performance. Of course with the heavy bias towards the East quite often voting does not always go how it should. With that here are our predictions for the 2017 NHL award winners.
Hart Trophy (League MVP)
Who we want to win: Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers
Who will most likely win: Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins
Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Who we want to win: Braden Holtby – Washington Capitals
Who will most likely win: Braden Holtby – Washington Capitals
Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
This is a tough one. We like Burns and Karlsson.
Who we want to win: Brent Burns – San Jose Sharks or Erik Karlsson
Who will most likely win: Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators
Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Who we want to win: Patrick Laine – Winnipeg Jets
Who will most likely win: Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs
Jack Adams Award (Top Coach)
Who we want to win: Todd McLellan – Edmonton Oilers
Who will most likely win: Todd McLellan – Edmonton Oilers
GM of the Year
Who we want to win: David Poile – Nashville Predators
Who will most likely win: Peter Chiarelli – Edmonton Oilers
Ted Lindsay Award (Most Outstanding Player as voted by the NHLPA)
Who we want to win: Connor Mc David – Edmonton Oilers
Who will most likely win: Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers
Can the Oilers finally earn some respect? Or will the voters give it to Crosby?
Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)
Who we want to win: Mikko Koivu – Minnesota Wild
Who will most likely win: Patrice Bergeron – Boston Bruins
Lady Byng Award (Most Gentlemanly)
Who we want to win: Johnny Gaudreau – Calgary Flames
Who will most likely win: Vladimir Tarasenko – St. Louis Blues
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Who we want to win: Craig Anderson – Ottawa Senators
Who will most likely win: Craig Anderson – Ottawa Senators
Mark Messier Leadership Award
Who we want to win: Mark Giordano – Calgary Flames
Who will most likely win: Ryan Getzlaf – Anaheim Ducks
Visit nhl.com for a list of all of the finalists for the NHL awards.
