Awards Watch: Predators dominate early favorites
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: Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
The Stars have gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, moving within four points of a playoff spot, and Seguin is a major reason for their return to form.
The forward leads the NHL with 26 goals, trailing only Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek for the overall lead in points. Seguin has a goal and three assists in his last five games.
Honorable mention: Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane is third in the points race and has really started to heat up, with nine in his last six contests.
Vezina Trophy: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
The Finnish netminder continues to separate himself from the rest of the NHL's goaltending class, posting a 2.00 goals-against average and a save percentage of .929 with a 27-6-2 record in 35 games.
Honorable mention: Michael Hutchinson has finally been handed the majority of starts for the Winnipeg Jets, and his peripheral numbers haven't suffered. He has a 1.88 GAA and a .936 save percentage with a 10-4-2 record in 17 appearances, and if he continues to start more than Ondrej Pavelec, he'll be in the discussion.
Jack Adams Award: Peter Laviolette, Predators
The Predators took over top spot in the NHL on Thursday night, and they're now 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Laviolette hasn't missed a beat in his return behind the bench, and Nashville's rise has been one of the league's best stories.
Honorable mention: The New York Islanders are out to prove they weren't just an early-season flash in the pan, and Jack Capuano's squad is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 53 points through 40 games.
Norris Trophy: Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues
The consistent blue-liner is having another stellar offensive season. He leads all defensemen with 36 points and 23 power-play points, including two goals and four assists in the last five games. The Blues have won three games in a row, thanks in large part to Shattenkirk's steady play.
Honorable mention: Calgary Flames rearguard Mark Giordano was the favorite early on, but he's in the midst of a four-game pointless skid. He's still averaging nearly 25 minutes and his 10 goals are tied for second at the position. Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty lead the NHL with over 29 minutes of average ice time apiece.
Calder Trophy: Filip Forsberg, Predators
Just when you thought the 20-year-old would start to regress, he tallied six points in seven games to increase his lead in the rookie scoring race. Forsberg leads the class in goals, assists, power-play points and shots on goal.
Honorable mention: Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad continues to impress. The 18-year-old is averaging over 22 minutes of ice time while registering 23 points in 38 games. Flames blue-liner Johnny Gaudreau ranks second in rookie scoring with 31 points through 40 contests.