While the Stanley Cup playoffs races remain tight and delightfully chaotic, the races for the NHL Awards have also seen some major shifts since last month: There's a new leader for MVP and for the league's best defenseman.
Welcome to the NHL Awards Watch for March. We've polled a wide selection of Professional Hockey Writers Association voters anonymously to get a sense of where the wind is blowing for the current leaders. We've made sure it's a cross section from the entire league, trying to gain as many perspectives as possible.
Bear in mind that the PHWA votes for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Lady Byng finalists, broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams, and general managers handle the Vezina.
All stats are from Hockey-Reference.com, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.
Jump ahead:
Ross | Richard | Hart
Norris | Selke | Vezina
Calder | Byng | Adams
Art Ross Trophy (points leader)
Click here for the updated point-scoring standings.
Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy
Click here for the updated goal-scoring standings.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Leader: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Finalists: Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Nathan MacKinnon takes the MVP lead back from Connor Hellebuyck, who had a tenuous grasp on the top spot last month.
MacKinnon is trying to become the first back-to-back league MVP since Alex Ovechkin from 2007-08 to 2008-09. Since 1980, only three players have captured the Hart in consecutive seasons: Ovechkin, Dominik Hasek (1996-97, 1997-98) and Wayne Gretzky, who went on a run of eight straight league MVPs from 1979 through 1987. That's the level of feat MacKinnon is trying to accomplish here.
He's also trying to do something for the first time in his career: win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading points producer. He was second to Nikita Kucherov (144 points) last season despite a career-high 140 points. That MacKinnon is threatening the scoring lead after the Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen in January has bolstered his MVP credentials. So has the fact that he has turned Martin Necas into a more than acceptable replacement.
"Incredibly consistent and so crucial to Colorado's success this season," one voter said.
"Colorado doesn't get enough credit for being where they are despite having brutal depth and terrible goaltending for the first eight weeks of the season," another voter explained.
MacKinnon had 33% of the first-place votes on the ballots we surveyed. It's not a runaway by any means.
Right behind him with around 26% of the first-place votes is Leon Draisaitl. The Edmonton star has had a comfortable lead in the NHL goal-scoring race all season -- while he led the NHL in points back in 2019-20, he has never won the Rocket Richard Trophy for goals. The season Draisaitl won the Art Ross is also the only time he captured the Hart Trophy, though that's understandable when Connor McDavid -- three-time MVP, six-time finalist -- is on your team.
"MacKinnon is on pace to win his second Hart Trophy in a row but Leon Draisaitl isn't far behind," a MacKinnon voter said.
"This award still seems very much up for grabs. I keep flip flopping here," a Draisaitl voter quipped.
What Draisaitl has going for him: a strong analytics case, leading the NHL in goals scored above replacement, per Evolving Hockey.
Hellebuyck, last month's leader, still has a ton of support, with 22% of the first-place votes. He has led the NHL in traditional goalie stats all season. Money Puck has him leading in goals saved above expected, while Stathletes has him in the top three.
The NHL hasn't had a goalie win MVP since Montreal's Carey Price in 2014-15.
"There is a zero percent chance Winnipeg is the best team in the league right now if not for Hellebuyck. That's undeniable," a Hellebuyck voter declared.
That's the top three, but there are two other players who received first-place votes as well.
One of them is Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team with perhaps the most uplifting story of the playoff race. He leads his team in scoring and has played nearly 27 minutes per game this season, doing everything to elevate the Jackets to an unlikely postseason push.
A defenseman hasn't won the Hart since Chris Pronger captured the MVP with the St. Louis Blues in 1999-2000.
The other player in the mix is Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who has a points-per-game argument against MacKinnon's point totals this season. Kucherov also has a sizable lead in his own team's scoring race, with a gap that was recently more than 20 points ahead of Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point.
"There's enough racetrack left for Tampa's dark horse to give voters little choice but to at least consider him a legitimate race finalist," a Kucherov backer noted.
Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
Leader: Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Finalists: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks; Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
For the first time this season, Zach Werenski is the leader for the Norris Trophy. Quinn Hughes had been the established leader for the award throughout the season, earning 45% of the first-place votes last month. But Hughes has played only three games since Jan. 31, and his limited games played vs. the other Norris candidates has dropped him down the rankings.
"Hughes had it locked up before his injury," a voter concluded.
Werenski, meanwhile, is having his moment. Whether it's the Jackets' incredible story, the Stadium Series spotlight or his play in the 4 Nations Face-Off, Werenski's star is rising at the right time, and he has the stats to back up his case.
"I'm on the Zach Werenski train. He's a big, big reason for why the Blue Jackets are still in this thing," a voter noted
"The Blue Jackets? A playoff team? Not without Werenski playing the way he has," another voter said.
"Werenski has been incredible, but it's a three-horse race between him, Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar," another voter offered.
Werenski earned 48% of the first-place votes from the ballots we surveyed. This is easily the most awards buzz Werenski has gotten, as he has previously placed only as high as eighth in the Norris voting.
Zach Werenski notches short-handed goal for Columbus Blue Jackets
Someone who is used to awards buzz is Makar, who has been a Norris finalist four straight seasons and won the award in 2021-22. The Colorado blueliner snatched the scoring lead among defensemen and hasn't looked back, skating over 25 minutes per game. Makar had 41% of the first-place votes.
"Makar is as good as it gets on the blue line," a voter declared.
"Makar has been excellent all season," another voter offered.
That said, some Makar voters acknowledge there are mitigating circumstances here. "It's Makar, but only because injuries have hurt Quinn Hughes' season," a voter suggested.
Others are glancing over their shoulders at what Werenski is doing.
"A late push from Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets could sway this voter," they said.
"Werenski is now No. 2 with a bullet for me," a Makar voter confirmed.
Hughes still has some true believers in his corner, earning the rest of the first-place votes. Before his injury, Hughes was building a case for the Hart Trophy as well as his second straight Norris Trophy.
Calder Trophy (top rookie)
Leader: Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Finalists: Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens; Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames
The same top three as last month's Awards Watch, and with the same ranking: Macklin Celebrini leads, with Dustin Wolf next and Lane Hutson behind him. But the race continues to tighten.
Celebrini, 18, has seen his first-place vote share go from 90% to 60% to now 48% this month -- still a sizable advantage, but other rookies are clearly invited to the party. Celebrini has been around the rookie lead in goals and points, and has steadily led in points per game after having missed some time earlier this season.
"This is Macklin Celebrini's to lose and I don't think he will," a voter proposed.
"Celebrini's all-around impact on the game is undeniable. Every time I watch a Sharks game, I'm amazed by how polished his game is," another voter admitted. "He's a borderline elite NHL player at 18 years old."
"The race may be tightening, but I still lean toward the most dynamic presence playing on the worst team," another voter revealed.
Macklin Celebrini tallies his 20th goal of the season despite the Sharks' big deficit.
Wolf has solidified his case as the best rookie goaltender -- there's not really anyone else in the conversation at this point -- but also as the MVP of the Flames' playoff push. His traditional stats are strong, and he's just outside the top 10 in goals saved above expected. The last rookie goalie to win the Calder was Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008-09.
"If the Flames make the playoffs, there's a legit chance," a voter noted.
"If we're talking about who has truly been the best performing rookie over the balance of the season, it has to be Dustin Wolf," another voter argued. "What he's done in Calgary is remarkable and he's the only rookie in the discussion who's been consistently at the top of his game all year."
Like Wolf with goalies, Hutson is lapping the field among rookie defensemen. He's also a serious threat to lead all rookies in scoring as a defenseman, something Quinn Hughes did in 2019-20 -- although he finished second in the Calder race to Makar that season.
Hutson has been a highlight-generating blueliner for the Canadiens. He earned 11% of the first-place votes.
"Hutson's just been an absolute force," a voter quipped.
"He's been a big part of Montreal's surprising season," another voter pointed out.
The rest of the first-place votes went to Matvei Michkov, who dropped out of the top three for the Calder last month. He's still very much in the race for most points and goals. But the "tough love" from coach John Tortorella this season, which has included a healthy scratch and benchings, might have created the perception that there are holes in his game.
"I have time for all of these rookies. Michkov is a strong No. 4 guy," a voter offered.
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
Note: The NHL's general managers vote for this award.
Leader: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Finalists: Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals; Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
It's Connor Hellebuyck for the Vezina. It's unanimous (at least if the PHWA voted on this one).
Every voter we surveyed had Hellebuyck atop their ballots, citing his dominating statistical season and his importance to the Jets' push for the conference title. Hellebuyck won the Vezina for the second time in his career last season. The last goalie to win at least three Vezina trophies was Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur, who was also the last goalie to win back-to-back Vezinas.
"It's still Connor Hellebuyck's world and we're all just trying not to look silly attempting to score in it," a voter explained.
"Best goaltender in the world and I don't think it's particularly close," another voter declared.
USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck gets ready for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship against Canada with an interesting warmup.
Logan Thompson made the top three last month and even syphoned off support from Hellebuyck, earning 15% of the first-place votes. He has been outstanding for the Capitals, who have traded the league lead in points with Hellebuyck's Jets for most of the season. Thompson received the most down-ballot support, if not a first-place vote.
"Hellebuyck is the only option here. Thompson has been great, but he's just not in the same realm," a voter concluded.
Dustin Wolf was the third choice last month, but it's clear that Andrei Vasilevskiy has entered the chat. The Lightning goalie, who won the Vezina in 2018-19, has steadily gotten better as the season has gone on for Tampa Bay. He was 18-7-2 from December through February.
Selke Trophy (best defensive forward)
Leader: Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Finalists: Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs; Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
Right now, it appears that Aleksander Barkov will continue his Patrice Bergeron-like run as the best defensive forward in the NHL. The Panthers star earned 56% of the first-place votes, which was only slightly down from last month's 60%.
"Selke Sasha. I think we've found a new nickname for Barkov," one voter joked. "It's his award now, right?"
Barkov won the Selke for the second time last season. He has won the award twice in the past four seasons, broken up by Bergeron's back-to-back Selke wins from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
But he's not the only Panthers player in the mix for the Selke. Sam Reinhart has impressive underlying numbers, some better than teammate Barkov's.
"Reinhart has better on-ice impacts on expected goals and goals against rate. He was excellent when Barkov was out. He deserves the nod this year over his teammate," a voter explained.
Another Reinhart voter declared: "Give it to a winger!"
That's a worthy goal in Selke voting, provided there's a worthy candidate. Centers have won the Selke every season since 2002-03, when right wing Jere Lehtinen of the Dallas Stars captured the award. But Reinhart isn't the only winger with some support. Mitch Marner received the next-most first-place votes.
"I'm tempted to put Marner here," a Barkov voter revealed.
"He somehow manages to be underrated, outside of Toronto," a Marner voter noted.
The other three players to receive first-place votes were center Jordan Staal, the Carolina Hurricanes captain who has been searching for his first Selke win for 15 years and finished second for the award last season; Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli; and, somewhat surprisingly, Washington Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois.
"He's a sleeper that could get some votes. Really playing a shutdown, two-way game," a voter offered.
Also receiving some love down the ballots: New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier, Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and winger Mark Stone, and Flyers winger Noah Cates. Hischier was in the top three last month.
Lady Byng Trophy (gentlemanly play)
This is the part where I mention that the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play should be voted on by the league's on-ice officials or by the NHL Players' Association instead of the PHWA.
Traditionally, this award goes to a player with a top-20 point total and the lowest penalty minutes among those players.
Brayden Point of the Lightning had just two penalty minutes in his first 58 games of the season. Jack Eichel of the Golden Knights has a shot, having amassed only six penalty minutes through his first 61 games.
Jack Adams Award (best coach)
Note: The NHL Broadcasters' Association votes on this award.
Leader: Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals
Finalists: Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets; Dean Evason, Columbus Blue Jackets
The top three of last month's NHL Awards Watch remain the top three this month.
Spencer Carbery received 63% of the first-place votes, getting the majority of the credit for the Capitals' ascent from bubble team last season to top of the NHL this season.
"Carbery, and it's not even close," a voter concluded.
"Every time the Capitals hint at wobbling a bit, they quickly veer back on track," another voter explained. "Carbery deserves a great deal of credit for keeping his team focused on never losing their momentum from season's start."
"Carbery is having a masterful year and is pressing all the right buttons," another voter proposed.
"Washington has been able to sustain their play all season and Carbery's system has clearly brought the best out of many players," another voter offered.
But a handful of Carbery voters said that if there's one coach that could pass him in the Jack Adams race, it would be Dean Evason, who has led the Blue Jackets from the unthinkable tragedy of Johnny Gaudreau's death to a potential playoff berth.
"It feels like Dean Evason is Carbery's only competition," a voter noted.
"It's still difficult not to give the edge to Carbery, but at what point do we need to start acknowledging the job Dean Evason has done in Columbus?" another voter pondered. "Losing arguably their best player to a horrific tragedy before a season that was already viewed as a playoff longshot and look at them now."
Evason earned 15% of the first-place votes.
Ranking third was Scott Arniel. Like Evason, he's in his first season as head coach of his current team, although he had previous NHL experience. The Jets have been near the top of the NHL all season. While Hellebuyck deserves a lot of credit for that, the Jets' offense has also been tremendous.
Also receiving a first-place vote: Jon Cooper of the Lightning, who has never won the Jack Adams in his successful career in Tampa Bay. "I know Carbery is the likely front-runner here because Washington's success has been unexpected, but did anybody truly expect the Lightning to be one of the top defensive teams after how last year went?" one voter asked.
The home stretch is here for all of these awards contenders. There's still plenty of time for these races to shift.