Awards Watch: Resurgent Rinne leads Vezina Trophy race

Every two weeks from now until the end of the season, theScore will examine the leading candidates for five of the NHL Awards.

Hart Trophy: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Crosby's nine goals are tied for sixth in the league, but only Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek has matched his 22 assists. The Penguins star has an NHL-best 15 power-play points in 21 games, and he's a major reason the team is a single point back of the Montreal Canadiens for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Honorable mention: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos and Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin also have strong cases early on. Stamkos has 15 goals and 12 assists in 23 games and the Lightning trail the Canadiens by a point in the Atlantic Division. Seguin leads all skaters with 17 goals, but the Stars' struggles will hurt his chances.

Vezina Trophy: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

Like Stamkos, Rinne has returned to health, and he's shouldering a heavy load for the Predators. The 32-year-old is tied for the league lead with 14 wins in 18 games. His 1.97 goals-against average is second only to injured St. Louis Blues netminder Brian Elliot among qualified starters, and Rinne has a sparkling .927 save percentage.

Honorable mention: Fresh off signing a four-year contract extension, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is making his case with a 2.14 GAA and a save percentage of .924 along with a record of 13-3-1, but it's likely not sustainable, considering his career numbers. Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings are also in the hunt thanks to strong early-season starts.

Jack Adams Award: Jack Capuano, New York Islanders

As expected, the Islanders are much improved this season, sitting third in the East with 32 points and a 16-6-0 record. They've won five games in a row and nine of their last 10. Simply put, they're the hottest team in the NHL, and whether Capuano deserves the credit or not, he's the leading candidate based on the Islanders' start.

Honorable mention: The surprising Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks have Bob Hartley and Willie Desjardins in the Jack Adams conversation respectively. The Flames are showing no signs of bottoming out, sitting in a Western Conference playoff position, while the Canucks sit in second behind the Anaheim Ducks in the West.

Norris Trophy: Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames

Giordano is building on his solid 47-point effort last season by averaging a point per game through 24 contests. He leads all blue-liners with 18 assists and 24 points while his six goals are third in the NHL among defensemen.

Honorable mention: Sami Vatanen of the Anaheim Ducks (five goals and 13 assists in 18 games), Kevin Shattenkirk of the St. Louis Blues (11 power-play points in 22 contests), and Giordano's teammate, T.J. Brodie, are all in the early mix.

Calder Trophy: Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators

Forsberg has benefited greatly from playing on the top line alongside James Neal and Mike Ribeiro, but he showed he deserves to be there with a strong preseason. Forsberg is dominating the rookie scoring race with 22 points in 21 games, including six points on the power-play, which is tops among rookies.

Honorable mention: Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau's development is one of the big reasons for the team's surprising start. The 21-year-old has three points in his last five games and 15 in 23 contests this season. Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad looks like he belongs at the NHL level, logging nearly 22 minutes per game and leading all rookie blue-liners with 11 points.