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NHL Mid-Season Awards: Winners, Honorable Mentions for Each Trophy

By Ryan Ritchie

Dec 31, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) readies at the face-off circle against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Pens won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) readies at the face-off circle against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Pens won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Mid-Season Awards: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) looks on during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Oilers 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Mid-Season Awards: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) looks on during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Oilers 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

Art Ross Trophy (Most Points)

NHL Mid-Season Awards Winner: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)

Despite watching his production slow a bit over the back half of December, McDavid has managed to keep hold of the NHL scoring race. With 48 points in 42 games, the Oilers phenom is on pace for 97 points in 2016-17. Just don’t be surprised if he manages to hit triple-digits.

Honorable Mentions: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Long-Term Prediction Winner: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)

If Crosby managed to match his pace of 109 points, or even exceed it, it would be his highest point total since his 109 back in 2009-10. The last time he reached triple-digits was back in 2013-14 when he tallied 104 points.

NHL Mid-Season Awards: Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Mid-Season Awards: Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Maurice “Rocket” Richard (Most Goals)

NHL Mid-Season Awards Winner: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Of the 10 individual awards Sidney has won over his career, only one of them was a Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (back in 2009-10). He has a fairly comfortable lead in the scoring race (26 goals) with four more than the next highest (Jeff Carter, 22) and eight fewer games played. The odds suggest he could run away with the award, but then again, some of the guys chasing him have a history of finishing the regular season on a high note.

Honorable Mentions: Jeff Carter (Los Angeles Kings), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Patrik Laine (Winnipeg Jets), Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues), Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)

Long-Term Prediction Winner: Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues)

I managed to hit on a bold prediction for the Tarasenk-show back in 2015-16 projecting that he’d reach 40 goals at a time when he was struggling to find the back of the net. Over the past couple of years, Vladimir tends to be a lot more productive over the back half. If the trend continues, his impressive 20-goal 43-point start suggests he’s in for career-highs across the board. In fact, don’t be surprised if he flirts with 50 goals by the end of 2016-17.

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