Lady Byng Trophy (Softest Regular Season Player)

Current Favourites – Nylander (Win), Barkov (NYI), O’Reilly (SJS) / Predicted Winner – Barkov (NYI)

All kidding aside, this is a very tight race between “gentlemanly” not “soft” players.  I think down the stretch, Barkov’s 95 DI will keep him out of the box more than the other 2.  Along with the fact that the other 2 can be a little prickly around the edges off the ice, leading to maybe a few lost votes.

Vezina Trophy (Top Regular Season Goalie)

Current Favourites – Ullmark (Det), Gustavsson (Nsh), Georgiev (Buf) / Predicted Winner – Ullmark (Det)

On pace for 60 wins, 14 shutouts, and a .941 save %, Ullmark is certainly living up to the hype.  A 99 SC will do that for you.  Although, as we’ve seen, not all 99 SC’s can maintain an elite pace, Ullmark’s sample size is big enough to prove that he’s the real deal.  

Calder Trophy (Top Regular Season Rookie)

Current Favourites – Beniers (VGK), McTavish (Arz), Power (Tby) / Predicted Winner – McTavish (Arz)

Leading rookies in points, points per game, and 2^nd in plus-minus, McTavish has been a massive addition to the Coyotes lineup.  He’s been great on both sides of the puck (sporting a +24), and without him, surely the Yotes would not be contending for home ice right now.  The 2 way prowess certainly makes him the favourite as of today.

James Norris Trophy (Best Regular Season D-Man)

Current Favourites – Doughty (Buf), S. Jones (Min), Makar (NYR) / Predicted Winner – Seth Jones (Min)

How to quantify who has been / who will be the best-performing D-man by the season’s end is difficult.  I certainly don’t like to focus on offense for this award, but he’s leading the charge there, is leading the entire Wild team in scoring, plays in every situation, and still has a great plus-minus in comparison to his teammates.  He also hits and blocks shots.  So, unless Al limits his usage, which he can’t afford to do, look for more of the same in the 2^nd half.

Bill Masterton Trophy – (Preservation, Sportsmanship, and Dedication to the League)

Current Favourites – Jared M (Buf), Sumit P (SJS), Tyler S (Nsh) / Predicted Winner – Jared M (Buf)

I’m not sure we even hand out this award, but these 3 gentlemen all invest plenty of time into making this league a fun and entertaining retreat for the other GMs.  They all actively tinker with their rosters and/or bank accounts, lend a helping hand when work needs to be done, and are active daily throughout the Slack Channels.  Jared may get it due to being the most active of the 3… if it even is an award.

Jack Adams Trophy – (Top Regular Season Coach)

Current Favourites – Kevin S (Cgy), Dan S (Det), Ken H (NJD) / Predicted Winner – Ken H (NJD)

Although, myself and Kevin have been putting up legendary regular seasons this year, no one has done more with less than Ken has.  Not a slight to his team, but most of his roster looks like a reunion of mid-tier players from the early 2010’s.  If Kevin or I had gotten what Ken has out of his team, we’d both be undefeated.  RHP gets all the attention, but he’s gotten the most out of many other supposed depth players.

Selke Trophy – (Best Regular Season Defensive Forward)

Current Favourites - Eriksson Ek (Det), Barkov (NYI), Suzuki (Arz) / Predicted Winner – Eriksson Ek (Det)

There are some incredible two-way studs in this league.  Which makes sense, because it is a sim that loves responsible, defensive players.  At least that’s what we’re told.  Eriksson Ek comes in at a ridiculous plus 42 rating as we speak, and has double-digit blocked shots.  Barkov and Suzuki’s blocked shots mirror Eriksson Ek’s, but both currently sit in the plus 20’s.

William Jennings Trophy – (Goalie Tandem to Allow the Fewest Regular Season Goals)

Current Leader – Ullmark and DeSmith (Det) / Predicted Winner – Gustavsson and Husso (Nsh)

Well the Preds dynamic duo does have a bit of ground to cover, Tyler Shedden is well known for his defensive prowess when assembling and running teams.  If Connor McDavid and Joel Edmundson were both available at the deadline for the same return, he might actually target the latter.

King Clancy Trophy – (Leadership Abilities and Humanitarian Efforts off the Ice in His Community)

Current Favourites – Jordan H (Win), Leon Y (Edm), Steve V (Mtl) / Predicted Winner – Jordan H (Win)

Another award that I don’t believe we hand out.  But Doc and Leon are out there daily changing lives, unlike most of the rest of us.  And when I was new to the league, Vardy went above and beyond helping me acclimatize (he may be a prick now to new GMs, who knows, but was great back then).

Rocket Richard Trophy – (Top Regular Season Goal Scorer)

Current Favourites – Point (Tby), Pettersson (Det), 4 Tied for 3^rd / Predicted Winner – Point (Tby)

What a BRHL Feel-Good-Story.  Brayden Point lands in Tampa Bay and goes on to capture the goal scoring title all while leading the Lightning to a playoff berth.

Art Ross Trophy (Leading Regular Season Scorer)

Current Favourites – Larkin (Buf), Zibanejad (Det), Barkov (NYI) / Predicted Winner – Zibanejad (Det)

The same 3 favourites we see under MVP hopefuls, this grouping is clearly the class of the league this season.  Zibanejad gets the nod as he’s recently been promoted from the 3^rd line to the top line, and does have the highest combined PA and SC of the 3… both reasons to believe he may have more to give.  But it’ll go down to the final weekend, I’m sure.

President’s Trophy (Top Regular Season Team)

Current Leader – Detroit Red Wings (Dan Sanders) / Predicted Winner – Calgary Flames (Kevin Switzer)

Kevin’s been closing ground on me quickly down the stretch.  I can’t afford another early-round playoff disappointment, so I’ll be tinkering lots with lines which might lead to more losses down the stretch than I’d like.  As for Kev, I don’t see him doing tons of tinkering to mess up a good thing.  So, look for him to stay scorching hot.

Hart Trophy (Regular Season MVP)

Current Favourites – Zibanejad (Det), Larkin (Buf), Barkov (NYI) / Predicted Winner – Barkov (NYI)

An incredibly close race, all three are currently lapping the field in scoring, while sporting fantastic plus minuses.  Barkov has the lead in blocked shots among the 3, so at this point in time the nod goes to him as forwards in this league don’t seem to sacrifice their bodies often.

GM of the Year Award – (Top League GM)

Current Favourites – Joe B (NYI), Sumit P (SJS), Larry L (Wsh) / Predicted Winner – Larry L (Wsh)

Although Joe has miraculously stayed dominant despite having to navigate incredibly difficult cap concerns, and Sumit has stayed endlessly active on the trade market while continuing to try to improve his team; Larry has done an impeccable job of actually getting much younger while remaining extremely competitive.  Something we all would love to accomplish.

Prince of Wales Trophy (East Playoff Champ)

Current Leader – Detroit Red Wings (Dan Sanders) / Predicted Winer – New York Islanders (Joe Bubanj)

The Atlantic will be a bloodbath this spring.  Joe has the advantage of being the cream that’s risen quickly to the top of the Metro.  He’s got the best team on paper in that division, along with a lot of experience.  If I go out early over in the Atlantic, I believe he’ll have the edge over whoever else emerges from that division

Clarence Campbell Trophy (West Playoff Champ)

Current Leader – Calgary Flames (Kevin Switzer) / Predicted Winner – Edmonton Oilers (Leon Yu)

I see Leon adding a few pieces down the stretch to go for it.  That, and an easy 1^st round matchup vs the sputtering Sharks will fire up momentum for a motivated McDavid, Marchand, and Miller.  It’s going to be a dogfight, but Leon has the big pieces already in place and doesn’t need to do much other than add some role players.

Stanley Cup – (The Top Playoff Team)

Current Favourites - Dan S (Det), Kevin S (Clg), Jared M (Buf) / Predicted Winner - Joe B (NYI)

I think it's Joe's time.  I do believe he's the class of the Metro.  We know there's a strong Atlantic over there, but he may not have to face the Wings given their apparent playoff tendancy of choking, which then would lead to a tough Final no matter who the West throws at him.  But they seem to be this season's team of destiny after restructuring and coming back as strong as ever. 

Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP)

Projected Finalists – Barkov, Tkachuk, McAvoy (NYI) / Predicted Winner – McAvoy (NYI)

It's  to take a big effort from the entirety of any roster to capture this season’s Stanley Cup, but watch for Charlie McAvoy to log a gargantuan amount of ice time and to be terrific in both ends of the rink this spring for Joe.