NHL Awards: Which Edmonton Oilers Players Can Win Awards?
The 2023 NHL Awards will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville tomorrow June 26 at 6 PM MST. A total of 12 awards will be handed out. There are some that are already predetermined, like the Rocket Richard and the Art Ross, which have already been awarded to Connor McDavid. What awards are left that Edmonton Oilers players could win?
Hart Trophy
Given annually to the NHL player voted most valuable to his team by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Not much of a shock here that Connor McDavid is nominated for this one. The Hart Trophy is representative of the best player in the league. The fact that McDavid has already won the Rocket and Art Ross is a good sign that he should end up with this award.
McDavid finished with 40 more points than any player outside the Edmonton Oilers and 25 more points than his teammate Leon Draisaitl. The only way he doesn’t win this is if the fact that the Edmonton Oilers also had Draisatil.
As the award description reads “most valuable to his team”. So the fact that Draisiatl was second in the league might make some voters think that McDavid wasn’t that valuable because the team also had Draisaitl.
Ted Lindsay Award
Given annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the NHL Players’ Association.
Connor McDavid is also nominated for this award. This is one in my opinion he will win. NHL players know where skill is in the league. Every player realizes that Connor McDavid is the best and it isn’t really close.
Every pregame strategy involves how to stop McDavid. Most time it isn’t how to stop McDavid, but how to limit McDavid as there really is no stopping him.
Calder Memorial Trophy
Given annually to the best rookie in the NHL as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Stuart Skinner is the representative that has been chosen as a nominee for this award. Skinner played outstanding this season. Coming into the season thinking he was going to be a backup, he was moved to the starting role when Jask Campbell struggled through most of the season.
The Edmonton Oilers season would have been quite an ugly one if Stuart Skinner didn’t come in a play remarkable. This one is going to be a tough one for Skinner to win as Matty Beniers had a very good season for the Seattle Kraken.
It is also hard for a goalie to win this award as they don’t play in every game as the players do. That doesn’t mean he can’t win, but he is an underdog on this one.
King Clancy Memorial Trophy
Given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community. The winner is chosen by select members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and the NHL Broadcasters’ Association.
Darnell Nurse has been nominated for the King Clancy this year. If you live in or around Edmonton you know that Nurse is very connected to the community. He is very often in and around doing something to better improve the community or help the people in it.
This is the second time in two years that he has been nominated for this award. You hope he wins it so there is something he can have to show for all his efforts around the community.
These Aren’t The Trophies The Edmonton Oilers Really Want
As much as it is nice to see the individual players noticed for their individual awards, this isn’t what the players really want. The only trophy the Edmonton Oilers want now is the Stanley Cup. Next season that is going to be their one and only goal.
From the outside of the organization that is what we expect as well. They have some of the best players in the world and should be able to push for a Cup for the next few seasons. Everything but a Cup will be a disappointment.