With the Stanley Cup Playoffs shifting alongside, the NHL has began the method of asserting the finalists for every of its main awards for the 2024-25 season. 

On Thursday, the league introduced the finalists for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL MVP. The Hart Trophy finalists are Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers), Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) and Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning).

Kucherov led the NHL with 121 factors (37 targets, 84 assists) and can seize his third-career Artwork Ross Trophy because the league’s regular-season factors chief. The Lightning star turned simply the 14th participant in NHL historical past to tally a minimum of three 120-point seasons in his profession. Along with his 84-assist efficiency this season, Kucherov turned simply the fourth participant in league historical past to document three consecutive 80-assist campaigns. He shall be seeking to win the second Hart Trophy of his profession after taking dwelling the {hardware} in 2018-19.

In the meantime, Draisaitl led the league in targets (52) as he gained the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy because the NHL’s high aim scorer in the course of the common season. Regardless of lacking 11 video games, the Oilers ahead nonetheless managed to tally 106 factors (52 targets, 54 assists) on the season. Draisaitl additionally set a single-season league document with six extra time targets, whereas additionally being tied for first place in game-winning targets (11). Draisaitl can even be seeking to win his second profession Hart Trophy after successful the {hardware} in 2019-20, and would develop into the third Oilers participant to win the Hart Trophy on a number of events together with Wayne Gretzky (8) and Connor McDavid (3).

Hellebuyck, who has already been named as a Vezina Trophy finalist, led the NHL in wins (47) and goals-against-average (2.00), whereas ending second in save proportion (.925). Solely Martin Brodeur (2006-07) and Braden Holtby (2015-16) have recorded extra wins in a single season than Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck marks the primary goaltender to be tabbed as a Hart Trophy finalist since New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin earned the glory in 2021-22. Moreover, Hellebuyck is simply the fourth goaltender within the growth period (since 1967-68) to be named a Hart Trophy finalist together with Dominik Hasek (1996-97 & 1997-98), Jose Theodore (2021-22), and Carey Worth (2014-15).

Earlier this week, the league introduced the finalists for the Norris Trophy, which honors the highest defenseman. The three finalists for the distinguished award are Makar, Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets), and Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks). 

Hughes is the reigning Norris Trophy winner and adopted that up by main the Canucks in factors (76) and assists (60) in the course of the common season. He additionally led the Canucks in scoring by a 26-point margin and solely Erik Karlsson led his staff in factors by extra when he led the San Jose Sharks by 34 factors in the course of the 2022-23 marketing campaign. It additionally marked the fourth consecutive season wherein Hughes reached the 60-point plateau, and likewise turned the fourth defenseman in NHL historical past to realize such a feat.

In the meantime, Makar led all NHL defensemen in factors (92), targets (30), and assists (62). The Avalanche blue-liner beforehand gained the Norris Trophy for his efficiency in the course of the 2021-22 season. Alternatively, Werenski registered a career-high in factors (82), targets (23), and assists (59), whereas changing into the primary Blue Jackets defenseman to steer the staff in scoring. Werenski would develop into the primary Columbus participant in franchise historical past to win the Norris Trophy if he takes dwelling the award.

The rest of the NHL Awards shall be introduced each day via mid-Could. The 2025 NHL Awards will happen in June 2025, however a precise date has but to be introduced.

Vezina Trophy

The Vezina Trophy is awarded “to the goaltender adjudged to be one of the best at his place.”

Norris Trophy

The Norris Trophy is given to “the defensive participant who demonstrates all through the season the best all-round capability within the place.”

• Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks)
• Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
• Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Ted Lindsay Award

The Ted Lindsay Award is yearly awarded to “probably the most excellent participant within the NHL.”

• Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
• Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
• Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

Hart Trophy

The Hart Trophy is given “to the participant adjudged to be probably the most useful to his staff.”

• Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
• Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)
• Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)