NHL Awards: 2016-17 Projections for Each Major Trophy

NHL Awards: Top 5 Projections For 7 Major Trophies in 2016-17

NHL Awards were handed out at the end of June to honor some of the leagues best performers in 2015-16. Among those who took home hardware, Los Angeles Kings D Drew Doughty beat out Ottawa Senators D Erik Karlsson in voting after the Swede had an impressive 82-point campaign. Chicago Blackhawks F Artemi Panarin also garnered more votes than Philadelphia Flyers D Shayne Gostisbehere and Edmonton Oilers F Connor McDavid to win the Calder Trophy for top rookie.

Other winners included Chicago Blackhawks F Patrick Kane who won the Ted Lindsay Award, Art Ross Trophy, and Hart for league MVP. Washington Capitals G Braden Holtby was named Vezina Trophy winner as top goaltender; Los Angeles Kings F Anze Kopitar won the Frank J. Selke Award for top defensive forward and Lady Byng for most sportsmanlike; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz won the Jack Adams Award for top coach, while Pittsburgh Penguins’s Jim Rutherford was named GM of the Year.

The focus now turns to 2016-17 with a new hockey season just around the corner. This will be our first release projecting NHL awards for the upcoming season. We’re keeping it simple today offering our top five predictions for seven major trophies.

NHL Awards: Top 5 Projections For 7 Trophies

Art Ross Trophy (Most Points)

Mar 22, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) looks on during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Vladimir Tarasenko, St.Louis Blues
4. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
5. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames

Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)

Jun 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) in the second period in game five of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
3. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
4. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
5. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender)

May 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) squirts water during a stoppage in play against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-1 as the Penguins lead the series 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

1. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
2. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
3. Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils
4. Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks
5. Jake Allen, St.Louis Blues

Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (Most Goals)

May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) in action against the San Jose Sharks during the second period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

1. Vladimir Tarasenko, St.Louis Blues
2. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
3. Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
4. John Tavares, New York Islanders
5. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Patrik Laine shakes hands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected as the number two overall draft pick by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

1. Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets
2. Oliver Bjorkstrand, Columbus Blue Jackets
3. Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins
4. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Shea Theodore, Anaheim Ducks

James Norris Memorial Trophy (Top Defenseman)

Apr 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

1. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
2. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
3. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
4. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes
5. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars

Next: Potential Calder Trophy Candidates in 2016-17

Frank J. Selke Award (Top Defensive Forward)

Mar 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) skates with the puck as Calgary Flames defenseman Deryk Engelland (29) chases in the second period during at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
2. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
3. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
4. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
5. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers