Which 2022-23 NHL Award race is still wide open?
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It has been an odd year for the NHL Awards races in that a few seem to be locked in so early. At the very least, it seems like the Hart Trophy has long been decided. If you aren’t putting Connor McDavid’s name down first at this point, you’re galaxy braining it.
But not every award vote is decided. So, Daily Faceoff Roundtable; Which NHL Award Race is still wide open in your mind?
MATT LARKIN: For me, it’s the Norris Trophy race. Erik Karlsson has delivered a legendary season when it seemed like his career was in decline, but only one defenseman has ever won the award on a non-playoff team – albeit it was Adam Fox just two years ago. Speaking of Fox, his all-around game puts him in the Norris discussion again this year. Meanwhile, Josh Morrissey has had a career season, while Charlie McAvoy and Cale Makar have arguably been the best all-around blueliners but have lost time to injury. And what about the tremendous seasons Dougie Hamilton, Hampus Lindholm and Rasmus Dahlin have had? Look how many names I just listed. This race is still anyone’s to win.
MIKE MCKENNA: I can’t pin down the Jack Adams frontrunner. Before the season, I predicted Pete DeBoer would win in his first year coaching the Dallas Stars. And I still think he deserves a ton of recognition. But is there any way Bruins coach Jim Montgomery doesn’t deserve it? Boston already has 105 points. The only problem is that the Jack Adams rarely goes to the Presidents’ Trophy-winning team. There was a time early this season when I thought Rick Bowness was a logical choice, but the Jets have fallen off. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour is always in the mix. But what about Devils’ bench boss Lindy Ruff? New Jersey had a .384 points percentage during the 2021-22 season. This year it’s up to .699 – and it’s not all because of a change in goaltending. Ruff and his staff – including former Florida Panthers head coach and 2021-22 Presidents Trophy-winner Andrew Brunette – should be seriously considered.
NICK ALBERGA: I’m with Matt. For me, it’s the Norris Trophy race. And even that, to be fair, I think is locked up at this point. That said, it’s probably a closer race (if you want to call it that) than any of the other major awards. There’s no question Erik Karlsson has been incredible this season. If he gets to 100 points, you can call it a day by the way. Furthermore, I do think Adam Fox is in the mix. Josh Morrissey and Rasmus Dahlin deserve some recognition, too. If I had to put money on it right now, however, the award would go to either Karlsson or Fox.
STEVEN ELLIS: I’d love to deviate from the norm here, but the Norris is the one that just screams to me the most. I know Karlsson has racked up the points and deserves significant attention for that alone. But I think there are just better, more rounded options, like Adam Fox or Hampus Lindholm. Both have been outstanding for their respective teams and playing actual meaningful hockey on Stanley Cup contenders. Rasmus Dahlin has been tremendous, too. Heck, I think Brent Burns deserves some outside consideration too. Given the range of goaltenders, injuries up front, etc., Burns has been a steady force this year.
FRANK SERAVALLI: I’m going to go off the board, put on my hat as president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, and say the Masterton Trophy. That award is our baby. And in most years, we usually have a pretty good idea of the candidates – since it is for perseverance and dedication to the game, but had become the de facto comeback-from-injury award. There are 32 nominees, one from every team, and in most years 30-plus players receive votes. It is that competitive. Without knowing who each chapter is going to nominate, it’s difficult to handicap, but I’ve got a few potential candidates: Buffalo’s Tage Thompson for his rise to stardom after being counted out as a prospect; San Jose’s Erik Karlsson for overcoming a multitude of injuries to return to an elite level; Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey acknowledged the difficulty of losing his father and his sportsmanship and leadership has been special to watch; Los Angeles’ Pheonix Copley and his incredible path to becoming an NHL starter at the age of 30 after being claimed off the scrap heap. There is no shortage of great stories and I’m a sucker for a good one.
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