Daily Faceoff hands out 2022 NHL Midseason Awards

Daily Faceoff hands out 2022 NHL Midseason Awards

Last week, the NHL officially passed the halfway point of the 2021-22 season. It’s been a grind with a COVID-19 shutdown, more than 100 postponed games, a canceled trip to the 2022 Beijing Olympics along with more than enough drama and scandals from Evander Kane, the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray.

But the NHL is halfway home, and the Daily Faceoff team is here to hand out the hardware to midseason award winners:

Hart Trophy

Winner: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Why: Alex Ovechkin edged out Jonathan Huberdeau for what would be the fourth Hart Trophy of his career and his first since 2013.

It’s truly incredible how the 36-year-old Ovechkin continues to defy Father Time. Through 45 games this season, the Great Eight has 29 goals and 58 points. He’s also the only member of the Capitals to not miss a single game this season.

Daily Faceoff’s ballots

Hart Trophy1st2nd3rd
Brock SeguinIgor ShesterkinConnor McDavidJonathan Huberdeau
Cam LewisAlex OvechkinJonathan HuberdeauIgor Shesterkin
Chris GearAlex OvechkinJonathan HuberdeauConnor McDavid
Chris PetersJonathan HuberdeauAlexander OvechkinVictor Hedman
David QuadrelliConnor McDavidJonathan HuberdeauAlex Ovechkin
Frank SeravalliNazem KadriJonathan HuberdeauKirill Kaprizov
Jason GregorAlex OvechkinJonathan HuberdeauChris Krieder
Mike McKennaJonathon HuberdeauAlex OvechkinCale Makar
Scott BurnsideAlex OvechkinJonathan HuberdeauNazem Kadri
Tyler YaremchukAlex OvechkinConnor McDavidJonathan Huberdeau
Zach LaingConnor McDavidCale MakarJonathan Hubredeau

Norris Trophy

Winner: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

Why: This was an extremely tight vote. All ballots save for one featured the trio of Cale Makar, Victor Hedman and Adam Fox. Makar and Hedman wound up tied for first place in terms of points but Makar had more first-place votes so he’s narrowly the winner here.

Makar is in the midst of a special season for the Avs in which he’s scored 43 points through 38 games. He was the runner-up behind Fox last season and it’s a good bet that Makar will take home his first Norris Trophy this summer.

Daily Faceoff’s Ballots

Norris Trophy1st2nd3rd
Brock SeguinCale MakarVictor HedmanAdam Fox
Cam LewisCale MakarAdam FoxVictor Hedman
Chris GearVictor HedmanAdam FoxAaron Ekblad
Chris PetersVictor HedmanCale MakarAdam Fox
David QuadrelliAdam FoxVictor HedmanCale Makar
Frank SeravalliCale MakarVictor HedmanAdam Fox
Jason GregorVictor HedmanCale MakarAdam Fox
Mike McKennaCale MakarVictor HedmanAdam Fox
Scott BurnsideVictor HedmanAdam FoxCale Makar
Tyler YaremchukCale MakarVictor HedmanAdam Fox
Zach LaingCale MakarAdam FoxVictor Hedman

Vezina Trophy

Winner: Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers

Why: Though it wasn’t unanimous, Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers won our Vezina Trophy vote by a pretty hefty margin.

Shesterkin has been lights out for the Rangers thus far, as he owns a .936 save percentage through 27 games. The Rangers are 29-13-4 on the season thanks largely to Shesterkin’s play, as the team ranks in the league’s basement in terms of shot attempt differential.

Daily Faceoff’s ballots

Vezina Trophy1st2nd3rd
Brock SeguinIgor ShesterkinJuuse SarosFrederik Andersen
Cam LewisIgor ShesterkinJuuse SarosTristan Jarry
Chris GearIgor ShesterkinJuuse SarosJacob Markstrom
Chris PetersJuuse SarosAndrei VasilevskiySergei Bobrovsky
David QuadrelliIgor ShesterkinJuuse SarosThatcher Demko
Frank SeravalliIgor ShesterkinJuuse SarosTristan Jarry
Jason GregorIgor ShesterkinJuuse SarosFreddie Andersen
Mike McKennaJuuse SarosIgor ShesterkinTristan Jarry
Scott BurnsideJuuse SarosFrederik AndersenIgor Shesterkin
Tyler YaremchukIgor ShesterkinFreddie AndersenJacob Markstrom
Zach LaingIgor ShesterkinJuuse SarosJacob Markstrom

Calder Trophy

Winner: Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks

Why: In yet another tight race, Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks beat out the duo from Detroit, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, for the Calder Trophy for the league’s top rookie.

Zegras has injected some new life into the Ducks this season. He has 12 goals and 32 points over the course of 41 games, impressive numbers for a 20-year-old, but Zegras’ true claim to fame this season has been his highlight-reel plays.

Daily Faceoff’s ballots

Calder Trophy1st2nd3rd
Brock SeguinLucas RaymondTrevor ZegrasMoritz Seider
Cam LewisMoritz SeiderTrevor ZegrasLucas Raymond
Chris GearTrevor ZegrasLucas RaymondAnton Lundell
Chris PetersTrevor ZegrasMoritz SeiderLucas Raymond
David QuadrelliLucas RaymondTrevor ZegrasMoritz Seider
Frank SeravalliTrevor ZegrasMoritz SeiderAnton Lundell
Jason GregorMoritz SeiderTrevor ZegrasLucas Raymond
Mike McKennaMoritz SeiderTrevor ZegrasLucas Raymond
Scott BurnsideMoritz SeiderTrevor ZegrasLucas Raymond
Tyler YaremchukTrevor ZegrasMoritz SeiderLucas Raymond
Zach LaingTrevor ZegrasMoritz SeiderTanner Jeannot

Jack Adams Award

Winner: Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins

Why: A lot of different coaches got some love in our Jack Adams Award vote but it was Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins who wound up with the hardware.

Sullivan has done an impressive job this year helping the Penguins navigate missing both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin due to injury. The Pens are 27-10-7, putting them on pace for their third-best season in franchise history.

Though he’s guided the Penguins to the Stanley Cup twice, this would the first Jack Adams of Sullivan’s career.

Daily Faceoff’s ballots

Jack Adams Award1st2nd3rd
Brock SeguinJohn HynesMike SullivanDean Evason
Cam LewisAndrew BrunetteJared BednarMike Sullivan
Chris GearDean EvasonJared BednarJohn Hynes
Chris PetersJohn HynesDean EvasonAndrew Brunette
David QuadrelliJon CooperRod Brind’AmourBruce Boudreau
Frank SeravalliJared BednarRod Brind’AmourMike Sullivan
Jason GregorMike SullivanRod Brind’AmourDean Evason
Mike McKennaRod Brind’AmourJohn HynesMike Sullivan
Scott BurnsideMike SullivanJared BednarGerard Gallant
Tyler YaremchukMike SullivanRod Brind’AmourGerard Gallant
Zach LaingGerard GallantAndrew BrunetteRod Brind’Amour

Jim Gregory GM of the Year Award

Winner: Bill Zito, Florida Panthers

Why: The Florida Panthers have transformed from a perennial bottom-feeder into a legitimate contender thanks to some impressive maneuvering from general manager Bill Zito.

Zito was hired to retool the Panthers back in the fall of 2020 and he’s navigated a difficult salary cap situation to help the Panthers build a strong, deep roster. Sam Bennett, Anthony Duclair, and Carter Verhaeghe are under-the-radar players that Zito found who have helped contribute to arguably the most potent offense in hockey.

Zito was a runner-up for the Jim Gregory Award last year, but if the Panthers keep rolling as they have been in the first half, he should be in prime position to win this time around.

Daily Faceoff’s ballots

GM of the Year Award1st2nd3rd
Brock SeguinBill ZitoDon WaddellSteve Yzerman
Cam LewisBill ZitoDon WaddellKyle Dubas
Chris GearRob BlakeJoe SakicSteve Yzerman
Chris PetersJoe SakicBill ZitoRob Blake
David QuadrelliSteve YzermanDoug ArmstrongDon Sweeney
Frank SeravalliDon WaddellBill GuerinBill Zito
Jason GregorJoe SakicDon WaddellBill Zito
Mike McKennaBill ZitoChris DruryBrad Treliving
Scott BurnsideDoug ArmstrongDon WaddellBill Zito
Tyler YaremchukBill ZitoJoe SakicDon Waddell
Zach LaingBill ZitoSteve YzermanJoe Sakic

DFO Comeback Player of the Year Award

Winner: Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

Why: The criteria for this invented award is simple: it serves to recognize a player that has returned not only from a serious injury, illness or personal disruption, but also a player who may have simply rebounded from a season (or string of seasons) of subpar performance.

There are multiple players who have battled back from varying circumstances in 2021-22 but the one that stands out is Vladimir Tarasenko.

Tarasenko played only 34 games between 2019-20 and 2021 and it looked like he was never going to be the same again. But after getting his third different shoulder operation done over the offseason, Tarasenko has come roaring back.

Through 40 games with the Blues, Tarasenko has 40 points, the best points-per-game pace of his career.

Daily Faceoff’s ballots

Comeback Player of the Year1st2nd3rd
Brock SeguinTimo MeierVladimir TarasenkoTony DeAngelo
Cam LewisVladimir TarasenkoJonathan DrouinSam Bennett
Chris GearVladimir TarasenkoMatt DucheneSergei Bobrovsky
Chris PetersVladimir TarasenkoMatt DucheneEvgeny Kuznetsov
David QuadrelliVladimir TarasenkoMatt DucheneSergei Bobrovsky
Frank SeravalliSergei BobrovskyVladimir TarasenkoMatt Duchene
Jason GregorTimo MeierMatt DucheneSergei Bobrovsky
Mike McKennaNazem KadriVladimir TarasenkoMatt Duchene
Scott BurnsideMatt DucheneVladimir TarasenkoWilliam Nylander
Tyler YaremchukMatt DucheneEvgeny KuznetsovSergei Bobrovsky
Zach LaingSergei BobrovskyMatt DucheneTony DeAngelo

Editor’s note: We used a 3-2-1 points scoring system.

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