Hart Trophy
Odds Favorite: Connor McDavid
Jackson’s Pick: Austin Mathews
Austin Mathews had 66 points through 52 games in the 2020-21 NHL season scoring 41 goals in said games. He showed to be the league’s best scorer last season and has yet to win the ultimate award in hockey, I believe this could be the year.
James Norris Trophy
Odds Favorite: Cale Makar
Jackson’s Pick: Charlie McAvoy
McAvoy has improved every year, not only offensively, but his defensive game has seen major improvements as well. He was a very important part of the Bruins 2021 campaign and showed to be their best defenseman. McAvoy had 30 points in 2020-21 which was similar to his previous three season’s although in only 51 games played. McAvoy has seen an improvement every year and I think this year could be his big breakout.
Vezina Trophy
Odds favorite: Andrei Vasilevskiy
Jackson’s Pick: Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck has been the rock of the Winnipeg Jets since entering the league in 2015. The one-time Vezina Trophy winner was a large part of the Jets late-season push into the playoffs posting a 0.916 save percentage and finishing the year with 24 wins in 45 games played. The Jets are a team that feels they can win now and a goaltender like Hellebuyck gives them a chance.
Frank J. Selke Trophy
Odds Favorite: Alexsander Barkov
Jackson’s Pick: Alexsander Barkov
Barkov has been one of the most consistent players in the league for a long time, and now he finally has a good team along with him. The 2021 Selke Trophy winner got the recognition that he has deserved. Barkov and the Panthers have a chance to do something really special this season, and Barkov is the center stone to their success.
Calder Trophy
Odds Favorite: Cole Caufield
Jackson’s Favorite: Spencer Knight
Spencer Knight was nearly flawless in his four games with the Panthers last year, posting a 2.32 GAA, and 0.919 Sv% through four games. Though this was a small sample size, he showed he can play at the pro level. Knight is going into the 2021-22 season the favorite to win the starting goaltender job for the Panthers, and I do believe that with a good team in front of him can be one of the toughest goalies to get past.
Maurice Richard Trophy
Odds Favorite: Austin Mathews
Jackson’s Pick: Leon Draisaitl
Leon Draisaitl has won the Art Ross, Hart, and the Ted Lindsay Trophy in his career, but has yet to win the “Rocket Richard Trophy”. A task that is not easy to achieve in the scoring age, but with the Oilers adding better depth over the offseason, I truly believe this could be the year Draisaitl has career high numbers with his scoring.
Art Ross Trophy
Odds Favorite: Connor McDavid
Jackson’s Pick: Connor McDavid
There was no chance I was making a season awards prediction list and not include the best player in the league. McDavid had 105 points in just 56 games played…That is unbelievable. He has an incredibly rare talent, and that will not change, especially in a season where he is more hungry than ever to win. McDavid is the best player in the league and that won’t change in the 2021-22 NHL season.
Jack Adams Award
Odds Favorite: Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay)
Jackson’s Pick: Joel Quenneville (Florida)
Joel Quenneville became the Panthers head coach in the 2019-20 season where he took them to the playoffs in his first year. The Panthers are one of the most exciting and up-and-coming teams in the league. There is so much to be excited about with this team, and after a great off-season, the Panthers could be in for a big year.
Stanley Cup
Odds Favorite: Colorado Avalanche
Jackson’s Pick: Florida Panthers
Yes, this may be BOLD, but looking through the Panthers roster, I see little weakness. Their defense is their big question mark, along with whether or not Spencer Knight will live up to expectations. If all that comes true, they have one of the strongest rosters in the league.
