DCHL’s Way Too Early Awards Predictions

2024-25 Awards Winners

DCHL’s Way Too Early Awards Predictions

As every team has crossed the 10-game mark, I thought it was time to do a “Far Too Early Awards Predictions” to showcase who is off to a hot start in the 2024-25 DCHL Season


 
Hart Trophy
Awarded to the most valuable player to his team in the DCHL

Auston Matthews

-              Currently leading the league with 9 goals in 12 games and tied for 3^rd in points with 15, Matthews has put the St Louis Blues on his back. The next leading goal scorer on the team has three goals, not the type of team distribution you would like to see from your squad. For now, Matthews has helped lift his team to second overall all in the league, though I feel this standing is unlikely to last unless someone else steps up.

Igor Shesterkin

-              Another year of seeing a goaltender fight for the league’s most valuable player. In his nine starts this year, Shesterkin has come out with a perfect 9-0-0 record, with three shut outs. While it’s unlikely he will be able to maintain his 1.11 GAA and 0.9512 SV, Shesterkin has set the tone for what one of the league’s best goaltenders is capable of.

Aleksander Barkov

-              Looking to win the Hart in back-to-back years, Barkov is currently leading his team in goals and assists, and his 15 points has been good enough to be tied third overall in scoring. What makes the start to this year’s season for Barkov and the Utah Hockey Club, is the lack of support he had from last year. Star goaltender, Jake Oettinger, has had a slow start to the season, yet the team still sits third in their division, and ninth overall in the league. 

Vezina Trophy
Awarded to the goaltender who is adjudged to be the best at this position

Igor Shesterkin

-              As mentioned above, no other starting goalie has an undefeated start to their season. Shesterkin’s phenomenal play have the Sabers at the top of the league, and an early candidate for two of the league’s top awards.

Stuart Skinner

-              Skinner sits second in the league in GAA amongst starters with 1.72 and a Save Percentage of 0.9408, likely a surprise to much of the league. After a major restructuring in the offseason and the emergence of some of their young players, Tampa is looking to be a competitive team, lead by the stellar play of Stuart Skinner. In 11 games, Skinner is sporting a respectable 7-3-1 record, with two shutouts. 

Connor Hellebuyck

-              After an offseason that saw the Flames trade away several key players, Connor Hellebuyck remains at the forefront of the of this franchise. Hellebuyck, who currently has a 1.78 GAA and a 0.9238 SV%, sits third in both stats amongst starters. Hellebuyck has started the season 6-1-2 with two shut outs as well.

Norris Trophy
Awarded to the top defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all around ability in their postition

Cale Makar

-              The reigning Norris champion is back at it again for the Vegas Golden Knights after a spectacular start to the season. Thru 12 games, Makar has tallied two goals and ten assists; while helping his team on the back end with 19 shots blocked and 18 hits showing he can contribute to his team on both ends of the ice. Makar is also a workhorse for the Golden Knights, averaging 26:50 of time on ice.

Charlie McAvoy

-              What a trade for the New Jersey Devils early in the season to add a number one defenceman in Charlie McAvoy. McAvoy currently leads the league for defencemen in points with 15 (3 goals, 12 assists). McAvoy helps his team in the defensive zone by contributing an additional 13 blocked shots and 28 hits. 

Drew Doughty

-              Doughty joins the Blue Jackets, after signing with the club in free agency. He immediately solidifies himself as the team’s number one defenceman and is off to a terrific start with the new club. Doughty has amassed two goals, nine assists, 17 blocked shots, and 23 hits in 11 games.

Calder Trophy
Awarded to the player who is most proficient in their first year of competition in the DCHL

Brock Faber

-              Brock Faber has finally made his emergence into the DCHL and has not only shown he is one of the league’s best rookies, but one of the best defenceman as well. Faber leads all rookies with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 10 games. Faber currently leads the Hurricanes averaging 24:02 in ice time and has contributed 16 blocked shots and eight hits in the defensive zone. 

Connor Bedard

-              The highly anticipated rookie has made his DCHL debut and is off to as good of a start as one would expect. Playing alongside veterans Pavelski and Kane, Bedard is showing that he can be the future of this franchise and the league. To start the year, Bedard has scored five goals and three assists in 12 games. Good enough for third overall in rookie scoring.

Adam Fantilli

-              Adam Fantilli has stepped into the Leafs’ roster and is already playing as the team’s top line center. Fantilli has been granted all the opportunity to him, leading the Leafs’ forwards with 21:38 TOI. Fantilli is also tied for the team lead in goals with six, which also leads all rookies. Fantilli has put together seven points in 12 games to start the season. 

Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy
Leading goal scorer in the DCHL

Auston Matthews

-              One of the purest goal scorers the DCHL has seen, Mathews currently leads the league with nine goals in 12 games. Not only that, but he is only eight goals behind DCHL goal scoring leaders Aleksander Barkov and Alexander Ovechkin, despite having play almost 100 games less. When Matthews’ career is complete in the DCHL, there will be no secret that he likely retires at the top of the all-time scoring list. 

Alex Ovechkin

-              The “Great Eight” doesn’t seem to be slowing down in the DCHL, despite playing at the age of 39. Ovechkin has been one of the most consistent goal scorers in this league, failing to hit the 30-goal mark only once in his career. Ovechkin is off to a terrific start, sitting tied for second with eight goals in 11 games to start his season. 

Connor McDavid

-              Connor McDavid will take a more prominent role in the Flames offence this season after several offseason trades. To start the year, McDavid has managed to score eight goals in 11 games to start the season and I expect him to continue on these number with less options in the offensive zone this season.

William Jennings Trophy

Given to the goaltender having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against is

Igor Shesterkin/Charlie Lindgren (BUF)

-              As mentioned above, Buffalo is the cream of the crop when it comes to goaltending this season. While Lindgren may not get his name on the trophy this year if he doesn’t hit the minimum 25 games played, Shesterkin 

Filip Gustavsson/Ilya Samsonov (PHI)

-              The Flyers have two great goaltenders on their roster, with an even split at six games apiece. It will be interesting to see if the Flyers end up taking a liking to one, or if it will be a 1A/B situation is Philadelphia. Either way, with both goaltenders having great starts to the season, the Flyers have positions themselves well as early season candidates for the Jennings.

Logan Thompson/Thatcher Demko (MIN)

-              You are probably wondering how a team near the bottom of the league is being discussed when it comes to the Jennings Trophy. Despite the tough 3-5-3 start to the season, Minnesota has the 6^th least goals scored against in the league with 27. I suspect the Wild will sort out their offensive woes and this goalie tandem will be able to shine the way it is supposed to.