Predicting 2024-25 Regular Season Award Winners

I look forward to looking back on this in a year and seeing that I went 1/8.

Vezina - Best Goalie in the Regular Season

Coming into the 2024-25 season, there are a lot of names that will be in the running for this award. Connor Hellebuyck is coming off of his 2nd Vezina of his 9 year career with the WInnpeg Jets, but he is not my pick for this season. Ultimately, I think that this will come down to a race between Igor Shesterkin, Jeremy Swayman and Thatcher Demko. All three of these goalies have proven that they can be the best in the world, and are behind some of the top d-cores in the NHL.

Currently with the 2nd best odds on Bet365 (#1 is Igor Shesterkin), my pick is Jeremy Swayman. As long as he can agree to a contract with the Bruins and nothing falls through there, then Swayman is set up to have an incredible season for the B's. Last year he posted a 2.53 GAA and a 0.916 save %, splitting starts with his good buddy, Linus Ullmark, who has now been shipped off to the Senators (yikes). With an improved d-core in Boston, I could see Swayman putting up the best numbers of his career, thanks to the names of Charlie MacAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Andrew Peeke, Nikita Zadorov, etc.

Dark Horse: With the upgrades made on the backend, and a change of scenery, Jacob Markstrom could have an amazing year in New Jersey. With a fully healthy Dougie Hamilton, alongside Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, could yield some great results. Also, it doesn't hurt to have a great 200 foot centre like Nico Hischier picking up some responsibility in the defensive end.

Calder - Best Rookie in the Regular Season

After being selected with the 1st overall pick in Las Vegas this year, Macklin Celebrini should have been the clear favourite to take home this award - much like Connor Bedard did this past season. Unfortunately for him, Matvei Michkov has terminated his contract in the KHL and joined the Philadelphia Flyers this upcoming season on a 3-year entry level contract.

Due to Michkov having already played against some of the top talent in the world where he posted 41 points through 46 games, he has shown that his transition to the NHL won't be the average transition that a rookie needs to make. Now, Celebrini did post 64 points in 38 games for Boston University in the NCAA, but the KHL and the competition Celebrini faced is entirely different. Another factor that gives Michkov the edge, is that he will be playing with a Flyers roster that battled for a playoff spot last year. Mike Grier has done a good job of improving the forwards around Celebrini with names like Tyler Toffoli and Alex Wennberg, but this team is still expected to finish 8th in the Pacific Division. Michkov is currently projected to play the LW2 role, alongside Morgan Frost and fellow young-gun Owen Tippett; so I expect Michkov to come in and make an immediate impact for the Flyers, ultimately finishing the year as the best rookie.

Rocket - Most Goals Scored in the Regular Season

Auston Matthews.

Norris - Defensemen with the Greatest All-Around Ability

Last year, Quinn Hughes was able to beat out Cale Makar and take home the Norris in his first year as the captain of the Canucks - but I don't expect the same to happen this season. Cale Makar is the best defensemen in the league, and is expected to be that for years and years. The top 3 names I expect to put up a fight is Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes and Evan Bouchard; 3 young and incredibly talented defensemen on top teams. Much like Nicholas Lidstrom did from 2001-2008, where he won the award 6/7 years, I think it is entirely possible that Cale Makar is on track to do the same.

Jack Adams - Head Coach who Contributes the Most to Their Team's Success

Last year, Andrew Brunette was in the running for this award, before Rick Tochett took it home, and deservingly so. Tochett was able to quickly take control of the room and build a winning culture that allowed the Canucks to once again find some playoff success (after beating Andrew Brunette's team in round 1). That being said, Brunette willed a rather average Predators roster into the playoffs and put up a fight against the Canucks. So, with a much improved roster with Steven Stamkos, Johnathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei joining along, I think Brunette is on track to be a favourite for this award, and is my pick right now.

Dark Horse: Craig Berube. The Leafs have found regular season success for years now, and with a solidified, veteran "Chief" behind the bench, they could be poised for a sneaky good year ahead of them.

Selke - Forward that Demonstrates the Most Defensive Impact

After winning it for the second time this past 2024 season, Barkov has proven that he is the best two-way forward in the game; especially with Patrice Bergeron no longer in the way. That being said, I fully expect Barkov to win it again next year, with players like Nico Hischier, Auston Matthews and Anze Kopitar putting up a fight for it. Barkov's two-way ability is clearly demonstrated through his 62% fenwick rating and a +30 goal differential through out the regular season last year. His 6'3", 215 lb frame allows him to dominate physically, while his hockey IQ puts him at the right place at the right time - a nightmare for opposing teams' top players.

Art Ross - Most Points Scored in the Regular Season

Despite Kucherov's 144 points last season, I think Tampa will require some tinkering with a new face on the top line. Now, Guentzel - Point - Kucherov is a ridiculously talented line, but may take some time to reach their potential, leaving either McDavid or MacKinnon as my favourites. Last season, McDavid shifted his play from pure scoring to trying to play a winning style of hockey in preparation for a post season run. Entering this next season, I could see McDavid better blending this winning style of hockey with his inhuman ability to put the puck in the net. He is indisputably the #1 player in the league, and I expect him to dominate with the hunger of an unfed lion following the game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup finals this season.

Hart - The Most Valuable Player to their Team

With Phil Kessel still not signed to an NHL team, this award is fully up for grabs by a number of stars across the league. Currently, the favourites are Connor McDavid (shocker), Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes; but it just seems all too likely that the best player in the world walks away with this trophy for the 4th time in 10 seasons. I know, boring answer, but until Phil the Thrill laces them up again, this is McDavid's trophy to lose.