The Post’s predictions for every competition


- Advertisement -

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NHL Awards will have a distinctly local flavor despite being held on Nashville’s Broadway and not New York’s.

Three Devils, two Islanders and one Ranger are among the finalists for the awards that will be handed out starting at 8 p.m. Monday.

The Post breaks down how all of the trophy races will shake out, starting with the locals:

Norris Trophy (Best defenseman)

Finalists: Erik Karlsson (San Jose), Adam Fox (Rangers), Cale Makar (Colorado)

Prediction: Karlsson is a heavy favorite after becoming the first defenseman since Brian Leetch in 1991-92 to score 100 points and the oldest ever to do so at age 32.

Fox, though, may get some votes thanks to his all-around brilliance in comparison to the Swede’s plus-minus of minus-26.

Rangers defenseman Adam Fox will attempt to leave Nashville with his second Norris Trophy.
Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Vezina Trophy (Best goaltender)

Finalists: Linus Ullmark (Boston), Ilya Sorokin (Islanders), Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg)

Prediction: Ullmark should take it thanks to a league-leading .938 save percentage and 1.89 goals allowed average.

Sorokin, however, has a strong case thanks to the way the Islanders relied on him and the way he carried the team, with 60 starts compared to Ullmark’s 48.

Ilya Sorokin made 60 starts for the Islanders compared to 48 by the Bruins’ Linus Ullmark.
Paul J. Bereswill for the NY Post

Selke Trophy (Best defensive forward)

Finalists: Patrice Bergeron (Boston), Nico Hischier (Devils), Mitch Marner (Toronto)

Prediction: This should be an easy win for Bergeron, who has already won the award five times.

Hischier, though, has established himself as someone who could be a yearly contender for the trophy after the 37-year-old Bergeron retires.

It might be difficult for the the Devils’ Nico Hischier to win the Selke Trophy against Boston’s Patrice Bergeron.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)

Finalists: Jim Montgomery (Boston), Dave Hakstol (Seattle), Lindy Ruff (Devils)

Prediction: After the Bruins’ historic regular season, Montgomery should take this one.

But Ruff — who went from hearing chants for his firing to leading the Devils to their best ever regular season — can’t be counted out.

Lady Byng Trophy (Most gentlemanly player)

Finalists: Jack Hughes (Devils), Anze Kopitar (Kings), Brayden Point (Tampa)

Prediction: This is one of the harder awards to judge, since it is a pretty subjective criteria, but Hughes should get votes with just six penalty minutes to his name this year.

King Clancy Award (Humanitarian contributions)

Finalists: Anders Lee (Islanders), Mikael Backlund (Calgary), Darnell Nurse (Edmonton)

Prediction: All three players have done excellent work in their communities, as Lee works with Jam Kancer In the Kan to raise money…



Read More: The Post’s predictions for every competition 2023-06-26 04:09:00

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments