NHL Awards At The First Quarter Mark

The NHL season is over 20 games in which means we're at the first quarter mark of the season and it's time to make some award predictions! Looking at stats (and even some advanced stats) and analysis of how players have played, we've come up with the following results for who would take home the major awards if the season were to end today. Sure this all means shit with 60 games to go in the season, but it's interesting to see what players have been award-worthy out the gate.

Take a look and tell us what you think:

Hart Memorial Trophy - Alexander Steen

Earlier this week when we should have rolled out this post, Steen was the league leader in goals, points, even strength goals (still is), and game winners. He's since been passed in points by a guy named Crosby and in goals by a guy name Ovechkin, but through 21 games Steen has 17 goals, 26 points, a +12 rating, 13 even strength goals, and 4 game winners. Steen's helped the Blues to a 15-3-3 record and has many hockey fans talking about him making Team Canada not knowing he represents Sweden internationally.

Vezina Trophy - Josh Harding

Let's just look at his statline: 13-3-2 record, 1.48 GAA, .939 SV%, and 2 shutouts. Those numbers put him among the leaders in those categories and he's rocking an impressive 5-1 record against the tough Western Conference. Harding's helped Minnesota into 7th overall in the league and has been lights out every night - even when he comes into to relieve the oft-injured Niklas Backstom. With 8 goalies (min. 10 games played) putting up save percentages over .930 this Vezina race will be a tight one all season long.

James Norris Memorial Trophy - Alex Pietrangelo

Pietrangelo has been a horse on the St. Louis blueline this season averaging just under 26 minutes/game and has put up 4 goals and 12 assists which ranks him good enough for 6th in defensive scoring. With a solid +5 rating and 55.8 Corsi For% he's among the tops in the league for d-men in terms of possession and goals for % at 5-on-5. There's lots of strong Norris candidates early on and it will be fun to see how some of these guys continue to play - especially in an Olympic year.

Calder Trophy - Tomas Hertl

If you stuck any 19-year-old on a line with Joe Thornton he's bound to put up points, but Hertl's bagged 12 goals and 6 assists for a 4-point rookie scoring lead. He's playing less than other top scoring rookies and thanks to playing on a strong team like the Sharks he's a top possession player in his rookie class with a 55.8 Corsi For%. Not many will forget his 4-goal game anytime soon (especially Martin Biron), but we have a feeling this rookie race will be more interesting at the half.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy - Jason Spezza

Spezza played just 5 regular season games last year after a herniated disc in his back required surgery and saw him miss 43 games and 7 playoff games. Well, he's bounced back this season with 9 goals and 18 points in 21 games and if he keeps this scoring pace up it's hard not to consider him for this award after what he endured in 2013. Then again, it's Spezza so he might get hurt again and just watch Seinfeld reruns all day.

Jack Adams Award - Patrick Roy

Coach of the Year is a toughie to pick this early, but you have to like what Patrick Roy's done after 21 games. With a 16-5-0 record, Roy has the Avalanche with one of the best goals for/goals against ratios at 5-on-5 despite a subpar Corsi% of 49.6. Many didn't predict Colorado performing like they have (especially after finishing 29th last season), but here they are competing among the best in the insanely strong Western Conference this year and 3 points out of 1st overall in the league with 4 games in hand.

Frank J. Selke Trophy - Jonathan Toews

Toews continues to be a stud two-way centre with 11 goals and 12 assists through 23 games which is good enough for 15th in league scoring. With a 58.0 faceoff %, Toews is among the tops in the league and his 60.4% Corsi% puts him 8th overall in the league in terms of 5-on-5 shot ratio and has done all this while taking on the toughest matchups in the league. Captain Serious took the Selke home last year and we wouldn't be surprised if he goes on his own Datsyukian streak of Selke wins.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - Tyler Seguin

This is more of a case of scrolling down the top point getters for the guy with the least PIMs, but when you consider what Seguin went through in the offseason it makes his case for the Lady Byng a little easier. With only 2 PIMs (a delay of game penalty no less) through 21 games, Seguin sits 12th in league scoring with 12 goals and 11 assists. We liked Patty Kane for this award last year because he settled down both on and off the ice, and Seguin could be a front runner for us again, until we remember Martin St. Louis of course.