As the Stanley Cup playoffs continue to roll along, the NHL is announcing the finalists for the 2021 NHL Awards.
Several players have emerged as the names to look for when award winners are finally announced. Oilers’ center Connor McDavid looks like the heavy favorite to win the Hart Memorial Trophy over other top contenders such as the Leafs’ Auston Matthews, whereas Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy looks like he could be due for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender, if he can hold off the Golden Knights’ Marc-Andre Fleury.
McDavid was the only player in the NHL with more than 100 points — he led the field by 21 points — with 33 goals (second-best) and 72 assists (best).
If McDavid and Vasilevskiy win the two honors, it would be their second times taking home the respective trophies.
MORE: Updated NHL bracket, dates, times, TV channels for every Round 2 series
Some other names to be on the lookout for: Lightning defender Victor Hedman is viewed as a strong choice in the Norris Trophy hunt, while the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov is looking like the front-runner for the Calder after he finished the season with 27 goals and 24 assists.
Check out the finalists for the most prestigious awards in the NHL as they are released.
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
| Finalist | Team |
|---|---|
| Marc-Andre Fleury | Golden Knights |
| Philipp Grubauer | Avalanche |
| Andrei Vasilevskiy | Lightning |
Ted Lindsay Award (MVP as voted by players)
| Finalist | Team |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | Penguins |
| Auston Matthews | Maple Leafs |
| Connor McDavid | Oilers |
Calder Memorial Trophy (best rookie)
| Finalist | Team |
|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | Wild |
| Alex Nedeljkovic | Hurricanes |
| Jason Robertson | Stars |
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (leadership)
| Finalist | Team |
|---|---|
| Kurtis Gabriel | Sharks |
| Pekka Rinne | Predators |
| P.K. Subban | Devils |
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (most gentlemanly player)
| Finalist | Team |
|---|---|
| Auston Matthews | Maple Leafs |
| Jaccob Slavin | Hurricanes |
| Jared Spurgeon | Wild |
Frank J. Selke Trophy (best defensive forward)
| Finalist | Team |
|---|---|
| Aleksander Barkov | Panthers |
| Patrice Bergeron | Bruins |
| Mark Stone | Golden Knights |
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (dedication to hockey)
| Finalist | Team |
|---|---|
| Matt Dumba | Wild |
| Oskar Lindblom | Flyers |
| Patrick Marleau | Sharks |
James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenseman)
| Finalist | Team |
|---|---|
| Adam Fox | Rangers |
| Victor Hedman | Lightning |
| Cale Makar | Avalanche |
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
Announcement on Thursday, June 10
Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
Announcement on Friday, June 11