We are past the two-third mark of the NHL season, so it is time to re-evaluate the leaders in the trophy races.
Stats as of February 22, 2012
Hart Trophy MVP
Evgeni Malkin PIT
No Crosby, no problem. Malkin has been, by far, the best player in the NHL this season. He leads the league with 73 points, despite playing only 53 games. He has a +9 rating and eight game-winning goals, and without him the Penguins wouldnt be battling with New Jersey and Philadelphia for home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
In the mix:Claude Giroux PHI; Jonathan Toews CHI; Phil Kessel TOR; Pavel Datsyuk DET; Steven Stamkos TBL.
Anti-Hart: James Wisniewski CBJ (21 points, -18 rating, $33M contract).
Norris Trophy Best Defenseman
Shea Weber NSH
Weber has done nothing to lose his spot from the First Trimester Awards. Despite all of the points that Karlsson is racking up, Weber has proven to be the premier defensemen in the NHL for two-way play. Between him and Chara, there isnt anyone tougher to play against in the defensive zone, and defenseman more aware offensively. He is tied for second with 12 goals, and fourth with 38 points to go along with a +18 rating.
In the mix: Erik Karlsson OTT; Zdeno Chara BOS; Michael Del Zotto NYR; Nicklas Lidstrom DET; Alexander Edler VAN.
Anti-Norris: Milan Jurcina NYI (7 points, -26 rating).
Vezina Trophy Best Goalie
Henrik Lundqvist NYR
Lundqvist is tied for the league lead in save percentage (.940) and is second in goals against (1.78), and is leading the league with seven shutouts for the runaway leaders of the Eastern Conference. His 28-12-4 record isnt too shabby either, and he seems to be the toughest in the biggest games.
In the mix: Jimmy Howard DET; Miikka Kiprusoff CGY; Jonathan Quick LAK; Tim Thomas BOS; Brian Elliott STL.
Anti-Vezina: Steve Mason CBJ (8-21-3, 3.44 GAA, .888 SV%)
Calder Trophy Best Rookie
Adam Henrique NJD
This award was shaping up to be Nugent-Hopkins from the start, but injury troubles have opened the gate for Henrique, who now leads all rookies with 26 assists and 41 points in 51 games, while centering the top line. He also has four short-handed goals, a +12 rating and is second with 15 goals.
In the mix: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins EDM; Matt Read PHI; Gabriel Landeskog COL; Adam Larsson NJD; Cody Hodgson VAN.
Anti-Calder: Nino Niederreiter NYI (37 games, 1 point, -19)
Selke Trophy Best Defensive Forward
Jonathan Toews CHI
Toews continues to lead the league in takeaways (82, with only 25 takeaways) and is second in faceoff wins (675), winning nearly 60% of his draws.
In the mix: Pavel Datsyuk DET; Patrice Bergeron BOS; Ryan OReilly COL; Anze Kopitar LA; Marian Hossa CHI.
Anti-Selke: Ilya Kovalchuk NJ (85 giveaways to 26 takeaways)
Jack Adams Best Coach
John Tortorella NYR
Tough to put anyone over Ken Hitchcock, but Tortorella deserves it for the job he has done. No one expected the Rangers to lead their division, let alone the Eastern Conference, and especially not running away with the Conference lead (by seven points so far).
In the mix: Ken Hitchcock STL; Kevin Dineen FLA; Dan Bylsma PIT; Paul MacLean OTT; Mike Babcock DET.
Anti-Jack: Lindy Ruff BUF (Huge payroll, huge expectations, but wont make the playoffs.)
Nick is RealGMs NHL Feature Writer. You can reach him by email nick.obergan@realgm.com or on twitter @NickObergan