2012 NHL Preseason Awards Predictions

360 Sports Network NHL expert Pete Leck:

With the beginning of the NHL season merely two weeks away, now seems like as good a time as any to try to sort out this year’s potential award winners. Each category will feature the favorite to win, followed by the next four in line, in no particular order. As an added bonus, a darkhorse who could challenge for some hardware, considering quite a few breaks go their way, will be included as well. With that said, let’s get right into it.

Hart Trophy - Most Valuable Player

Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals - Despite having what many people referred to as a “down year”in the 10-11 season, Ovechkin still posted 32 goals and 53 assists. However, this was done with an 8.7% shooting percentage, far and away the lowest of his career. Expect that shooting percentage to climb back into the low teens, closer to his career average. Couple this with an almost certain increase from last season’s 7 power play goals, almost half of his previous career low, and it’s easy to see Ovechkin returning to his 50 goal form, and possibly pushing for 60 considering all the talent he has around him in Washington. Combine those goal numbers with Ovechkin’s improved playmaking abilities, and a 110 point season could be very much in reach for the Russian superstar. Look for Ovechkin to capture the Rocket Richard as well as the Art Ross to go with the Hart Trophy.

Apologies to: Evgeni Malkin (PIT), Henrik Sedin (VAN), Pavel Datsyuk (DET), Steven Stamkos (TAM)

Dark Horse Candidate: Bobby Ryan (ANA)

Norris Trophy – Best Defenseman

Winner: Shea Weber, Nashville Predators - Fresh off singing a 1 year, $7.5 million contract, look for Weber to put on a showcase to put him in position for a lucrative long-term contract. With 45 goals through the last three seasons, Weber is a proven goal scorer from the backend, and looks to break the 50 point plateau for the second time in his career. His booming 100 mph slap shot should see to it that it happens. In his own end, Weber is a force, hitting almost everything he sees. What’s more impressive though, is that he is able to do this without taking penalties, as he only had 56 PIM last season. Being the Predator’s top option on both the PP and the PK, expect Weber to see plenty of ice time with fellow stud Ryan Suter to protect goalie Pikka Rinne. Because of Nashville’s other weaknesses, Weber’s plus/minus may not be through the roof, but Lindstrom’s Norris last year featured a -2 rating, and Weber’s should certainly be higher than that.

Apologies to: Nicklas Lindstrom (DET), Zdeno Chara (BOS), Kris Letang (PIT), Drew Doughty (LAK)

Dark Horse Candidate: Erik Karlsson (OTT)

Vezina Trophy–Best Goaltender

Winner: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers - Henrik Lundqvist has been one of the few forces driving the Rangers towards playoff contention in the past few seasons. However, this season should provide the Rangers with more weapons, such as highly coveted center Brad Richards, which should only improve upon Lundqvist’s already stellar career averages. The maturation of young defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, and Michael Del Zotto will be key to the Swedish goalie’s Vezina chances. Marc Staal has already flashed shutdown potential, but the ability of the rest of the Ranger’s extremely young defense to protect their goalie will be paramount to not only Lundqvist’s success, but the entire team as well. Look for the defense to rise to the challenge, andfor Lundqvist to increase his .928 save percentage (.01 away from 4^th place in the NHL) and a decrease in his 2.28 GAA (good for 6^th in the NHL.)

Apologies to: Pikka Rinne (NAS), Ryan Miller (BUF), Tim Thomas (BOS), Roberto Luongo (VAN)

Dark Horse Candidate: Thomas Vokoun (WAS)

Selke Trophy – Best Defensive Forward

Winner: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings – As long as Pavel Datsyuk plays even close to a full season, he’s almost a lock to win the Selke Trophy. Datsyuk is able to play in all three zones like few other forwards in the game, and his back-checking is matched by none. A takeaway machine, Datsyuk ranked 11^th last year despite only playing in 56 games, and led the NHL in the 09-10 campaign by almost 50 takeways.In addition to this, Datsyuk is frequently a top faceoff man, and last year was no different as he ranked 19^th in faceoff percentage, with so called “faceoff specialists” occupying many of the spots ahead of him. Constantly being the highest scoring of all Selke nominees does nothing but improve his chances every year, and the 11-12 season should prove to be no different.

Apologies to: Jordan Staal (PIT), Patrice Bergeron (BOS), Ryan Kesler (VAN), Mike Richards (LAK)

Dark Horse Candidate: Ryan O’Reilly (COL)

Jack Adams Award – Best Head Coach

Winner: Terry Murray, Los Angeles Kings – This award can usually be won in a variety of ways, but the most common way is to coach a team that greatly exceeds expectations, or takes the next big step in becoming a power in their respective conference. This is where Terry Murray comes in. The Kings have made the playoffs the last two seasons, but as lower seeds that failed to make much noise. This year, expect the addition of Mike Richards, and a full season of Anze Kopitar’s services to key the Kings to a top 3 finish in the Western Conference. If the Kings are able to do that, then Murray, who has already done a fantastic job since taking over the franchise in 2008, should be in line for his first Jack Adams award.

Apologies to: Dan Bylsma (PIT), Mike Babckock (DET), John Tortorella (NYR), Barry Trotz (NAS)

Dark Horse Candidate: Mike Yeo (MIN)

Calder Trophy – Rookie of the Year

Winner: Adam Larsson, New Jersey Devils – Of all the players drafted, Swedish defender Adam Larsson was viewed as being the most NHL-ready prospect. After his first preseason game, count superstar IlyaKovlchuk among his supporters, as he told the New York Post in an interview that he believes Larsson should make the team. If he does, expect him to receive playing time in many difference situations for a Devils defense that did little to impress last year. Given sufficient power play time, Larsson could rack up 40 points, and if that is coupled with reliable defense in front of future Hall of Famer, Martin Brodeur, the Calder Trophy could be sitting in the young Swedes trophy case this time next year.

Apologies to: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM), Gabriel Landeskog (COL), Erik Gudbranson (FLA)

Dark Horse Candidate: Sean Couturier (PHI)