As the pucks drop to usher in the 2015-2016 NHL season, Breitbart Sports gives you predictions for the Hart, Calder, Norris, and other trophies.
Feel free to bookmark this and remind Chris and Mary just how right (or wrong!) they were once the NHL divvies out awards next year.
Hart (MVP)
Chris says:
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
I think this is the year that Crosby finally – once again – looks like the greatest hockey player on the planet. Having Phil Kessel on his wing is going to give Sid the opportunity to shine. Crosby is never going to be the 50-goal scorer he once was, but he could legitimately have a 50 goal scorer on his wing.
Mary says:
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
He was a powerhouse with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, but the addition of Phil Kessel will propel him even higher. I have Carey Price as a close second, though.
Vezina (Goalie)
Chris says:
Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals)
Barry Trotz is a God-send to the Capitals and to young net minder Braden Holtby. Trotz has put a defensive system in place – with the requisite parts – to make Holtby’s life a lot easier than it was before. That’s taking nothing away from Holtby, who played in 73 games last year. I think Holtby will have a breakout year – think upper 40s for wins. He will edge Pekka Rinne and Carey Price in nabbing the Vezina.
Mary says:
Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens)
Everyone says Henrik Lundqvist carries the New York Rangers and while he does, Price carries his team even more. That is why it was a complete tossup between him and Crosby for MVP. Without Price, Montreal would cease to exist.
Norris (Defenseman)
Chris says:
PK Subban (Montreal Canadiens)
Subban is a beast – strong, physical and able to generate offense from the blue line. Subban is a former Norris winner, who is coming off a career high 60 points. I think Subban could see that point total hit 70 this year.
Mary says:
Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Did you see him in the Stanley Cup Finals? He does the job of a real defenseman, concentrating on defending his zone and keeping the puck in the offensive zone. He only played 23 games last season. The man will be on fire all season, making the Lightning even more dangerous.
Calder (Rookie)
Chris says:
Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
I wanted to pick Nikolaj Ehlers of the Jets just to be different, but let’s be honest – McDavid is a once-in-a-generation talent. In his rookie year, Sidney Crosby put up 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points en route to the Calder. I think McDavid could eclipse the 100 point mark in his rookie year as well. He has offensive weapons around him in Edmonton and – at least so far – has seemed to thrive under the microscope of attention and the weight of expectations.
Mary says:
Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres)
With his brilliance on the ice and Dan Bylsma behind the bench, the Sabres will make the playoffs. The NHL posted videos of Eichel in the preseason and it’s enough to make a person drop his jaw. His speed, grace, and precision will make him a valuable asset to the Sabres and NHL.
Ross (Scoring)
Chris says:
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
As I mentioned before, I am looking for a monster year out of Crosby. I think he wins the scoring race with 110+ points.
Mary says:
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) or Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
I thought about this one for two days and I honestly cannot choose.
Richard (Goals)
Chris says:
Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
Phil Kessel playing alongside Sidney Crosby could make this an interesting race, but at the end of the day the best pure goal scorer in the league is Alex Ovechkin. I expect Ovechkin to once again net 50+ goals.
Mary says:
Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
Jack Adams (Coach)
Chris says:
Dan Bylsma (Buffalo Sabres)
The former Adams award winner when he was coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins is going to dramatically exceed expectations in Buffalo (including sneaking into the playoffs) and grab another coach of the year award.
Mary says:
Dan Bylsma (Buffalo Sabres)
See my explanation for Eichel under Calder!
GM of the Year
Chris says:
Brian MacLellan (Washington Capitals)
I panned the hire of MacLellan at the time. Boy was I wrong. MacLellan has reshaped the Capitals roster, added depth, strength on the blue line, pulled off some smart trades (TJ Oshie), locked up their future (Braden Holtby) and has made the Capitals a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Mary says:
I cannot choose. Like Chris, I’d love to pick Brian MacLellan. But if the Chicago Blackhawks kick as much ass as they did last year with the Offseason from Hell between trading away Sharp (expected) and Saad (not so expected) and Patrick Kane, then Stan Bowman deserves it.