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NHL Awards Watch: Artemi Panarin enters Hart Trophy race with a bang

By Dave Stevenson

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 17: New York Rangers center Artemi Panarin (10) during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on October 17, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 17: New York Rangers center Artemi Panarin (10) during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on October 17, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images /

With just one month left in the 2019-20 NHL season, ArtemiPanarin has made the Hart Trophy race a very close one. Who’s in the lead for each of the NHL Awards as the season enters its home stretch?

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already March. The 2019-20 NHL season is already more than 75% over. With the regular season’s end coming on April 4, there’s technically less than one full month left in the season. Now’s as good of a time as any to take a look at who the main contenders are for each of the NHL Awards.

Not only are we going to look at the normal awards (Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy, Vezina Trophy, etc.), we’re also going to have some fun with our own awards. Without further ado, here’s where the voting for the NHL Awards stands as the 2019-20 season enters the home stretch.

All stats are at all strengths unless noted and are courtesy of Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick, and Evolving Hockey.

OUR AWARDS

Most Improved Skater

Pretty self-explanatory. This award goes to the player who has improved the most.

The winner: J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks.

Miller was traded to the Canucks last summer. At the time, people thought they gave up a bit too much for him. Miller has silenced his critics by having the most impressive season of his NHL career.

With 16 games left in the season, Miller has already set career highs in goals (26), assists (43) and points (69). To put things in perspective, before this season, he had only three seasons with at least 43 points.

Most Underrated Player

Again, this is pretty self-explanatory. Also worth considering – if everyone thinks you’re underrated, you’re probably not underrated. Just saying.

The winner: Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning

On paper, Anthony Cirelli is having a strong season. He has 15 goals, 27 assists, and 42 points (a career-high). There’s a good chance he’ll reach 50 points. However, what’s scary is Cirelli’s an even better player when it comes to things that don’t show up on the box score.

Evolving Hockey has him as the 11th-best skater with a WAR (wins above replacement) of 3. Most of his value comes from his strong play in both zones. Cirelli’s been given a lot of trust by Jon Cooper this year and it’s easy to see why.

Cy Young Award

This award is purely for laughs. It goes to the player whose stat line (goals and assists) resembles a Cy Young-winning pitcher’s win and loss record.

Candidates: Noel Acciari (Florida Panthers) and Denis Gurianov (Dallas Stars)

Winner: Acciari

This season, we have two stellar candidates. However, Acciari’s commitment to not getting assists is second to none. Though props to Gurianov for trying. Acciari has 20 goals and six assists this season. Acciari’s six assists are the fourth-fewest among all players with at least 20 goals in a modern era (post-1967) season.

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