With the Stanley Cup Final in full swing, the NHL continues to announce some of the league’s award winners prior to the NHL Award ceremony later this month.
Most recently, Cale Makar was named the winner of the Norris Trophy, which honors the NHL’s top defenseman. Makar earned 176 of the 191 first-place votes as he beat out Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes for the honor.
Makar became the first defenseman to tally 30 goals in a single season since Mike Green accomplished the feat in 2008-09 as a member of the Washington Capitals. He also was just the fifth defenseman all-time to record back-to-back 90-point campaigns as he joined Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis. Makar’s 30 goals are also an Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a single season.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson also won the Calder Trophy, which honors the top rookie. Hutson earned 165 of the 191 first-place votes to beat out Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf and San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, who were the other two finalists for the award.
Hutson became just the fourth defenseman in the modern era (since 1943-44) to lead all rookies in points (66). He joined Bobby Orr (41), Brian Leetch (71) and Quinn Hughes (53) as the only blue-liners to earn that honor. His 60 assists matched Larry Murphy (Kings, 1980-81) for the assists by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. With the Calder Trophy win, he became the third Canadiens player to win the award in the expansion era (since 1967-68) along with Brendan Gallagher (2012-13) and Ken Dryden (1971-72).
The remainder of the awards will be announced at the 2025 NHL Awards, which will take place on June 12 prior to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Norris Trophy
The Norris Trophy is given to “the defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”
Makar has captured the Norris Trophy for the second time over the last four seasons and has been a finalist in five of his first six NHL seasons. The Avalanche blue-liner joins Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson as the only active defensemen to win the Norris Trophy on multiple occasions. Makar finished the regular season with an NHL-best 92 points, while also leading the league in goals (30), assists (62), and power-play goals (12) among defensemen. At 26 years old, Makar is entering the prime of his career and could certainly add plenty more hardware to his trophy case before his career is complete.
Selke Trophy
The Selke Trophy is awarded to “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.”
- Winner: Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers)
- Finalist: Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning)
- Finalist: Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers)
The is Barkov’s second straight Selke Trophy win and the third overall in his career. Once again, he was a heavy favorite to win the award with a plus-13 goal differential at five-on-five while also taking on the toughest matchups and posting 71 points on the offensive end. It doesn’t look like Barkov’s Selke reign will end anytime soon.
Calder Trophy
The Calder Trophy is given to “the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.”
- Winner: Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens)
- Finalist: Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames)
- Finalist: Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks)
Hutson may have been considered a dark horse to win the Calder Trophy with players like Macklin Celebrini and Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov beginning their professional careers this year. However, Hutson thrived with 66 points (six goals & 60 assists) and became the fourth defenseman to lead NHL rookies in scoring in the league’s modern era (since 1943-44). Hutson established himself as Montreal’s top defender and becomes a key building block for a young team that made the Stanley Cup playoffs this season.
Jack Adams Award
The Jack Adams Award is given to the head coach that “contributed the most to his team’s success.”
- Winner: Spencer Carbery (Washington Capitals)
- Finalist: Scott Arniel (Winnipeg Jets)
- Finalist: Martin St. Louis (Montreal Canadiens)
Carbery took home the Jack Adams Award in just his second season as the Capitals coach. He previously spent time as a Maple Leafs assistant, while also serving as the coach of the Hershey Bears, who are the Capitals AHL affiliate. Carbery has racked up a 91-53-20 record over the past two seasons and led the Capitals to the postseason in each of those campaigns.
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is awarded “to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position.”
Ted Lindsay Award
The Ted Lindsay Award is annually awarded to “the most outstanding player in the NHL.”
Hart Trophy
The Hart Trophy is given “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.”
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
The Masterton Trophy is awarded to “the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
Lady Byng Trophy
The Lady Byng Trophy is annually award “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”
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