B/R Experts' Predictions for the 2014-15 NHL Awards

Here are the predictions of the Bleacher Report hockey-writing staff for the six major award winners for the 2014-15 season. Despite all of our best efforts on the panel, the bosses insisted we use our actual names.

So here are the predictions of Dave Lozo, Jonathan Willis, Carol Schram, Allan Mitchell, Lyle Richardson and John Doe. OK, that last guy is me.

We oracles give our picks for the Hart, Vezina, Norris, Calder, Selke and Jack Adams trophies. We didn't just pick who would win the trophies—we gave our top five and the rationale for each pick. Bonus content!

Any surprises? Guess you'll just have to scroll through the slides to find out.

Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)

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Pick: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

It was a close call, but Crosby is the choice to win the NHL's version of the most valuable player award for what would be the second year in a row and third overall.

Personally, I went with Anze Kopitar of Los Angeles, but he came in third overall (I'll be right; they'll be wrong). I don't think Crosby wins because his team isn't as good as last year. But who am I to doubt the great Sid?

Second: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

A tough Western Conference Final loss should stoke the competitive fire of the intense Toews to have a huge season, and Brad Richards as a second-line center is an upgrade over Michal Handzus.

Third: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

The lack of explosive scoring numbers hurts his cause for the big trophies, but ask many coaches who they think is the best two-way center, and they'll say this guy.

Fourth: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

The leg that broke last season is fully healed, and plenty of talent surrounds him. A return to 50-goal status appears likely.

Fifth: John Tavares, New York Islanders

Also coming off a serious injury from last season, Tavares says he's feeling good again, telling NHL.com's Adam Kimelman, "I had a normal offseason and the injury has been put behind me for a good three months now." While his health may be a concern, his talent is unquestioned.

Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)

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Pick: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

Lundqvist turned 32 in March but proved with last year's run to the Stanley Cup Final with the Rangers that he's got plenty left. And his hair looks as good as ever.

I went with Jonathan Quick myself, but others on the panel felt King Henrik was just too strong to overlook. I may be already second-guessing my pick. Lundqvist is a great goalie, a possible Hall of Famer. This was a tough call.

Second: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

OK, he's a tad overhyped playing in Montreal. If his name were Pekka Rinne or anyone else playing in Nashville, he wouldn't make the list here (sorry Pekka). But Price is certainly a good goalie, and, OK, my colleagues overruled me on this one.

Third: Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins

Tim Thomas, Frank Brimsek and Tiny Thompson are the three Bruins goalies to win multiple Vezina Trophies. Can Rask become the next Boston goalie to join the list after his Vezina-winning campaign last season?

Fourth: Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

My first-place vote accounted for most of his points in our tabulations. Two Cups in three years must not be good enough for my colleagues.

Fifth: Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils

He finally has a team all to himself. No more Roberto Luongo or Martin Brodeur looking over his shoulder pads. This should help the Massachusetts native a lot.

Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)

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Pick: Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues

This, according to the majority of the panel, is the Year of Petro. Personally, I went with Ryan Suter from Minnesota to take the trophy.

This has long been a flawed trophy. Some years, it's bang on, with a Bobby Orr or a Denis Potvin rightfully winning it. Other years, you get an Erik Karlsson, who plays no defense but gets a lot of points at the other end. Pietrangelo does a lot of both, so this might be the right pick, but I still say Suter.

P.S. Last year's winner, Duncan Keith, didn't crack the top five. He did on my list but not the others. For shame.

Second: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

Then again, this guy could easily win it. He's prone to the off game now and then in the regular season, but when the money is on the line, he brings it. Or do his two Cup rings and two gold medals the last four years not sway you?

Third: P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens

Now that he's got the monster contract, will he ease off the gas? Could be. Subban is nothing if not inconsistent, but when he's good, he's really good.

Fourth: Shea Weber, Nashville Predators

Big and strong, with a slap shot that makes defenders get flamingo legs suddenly. But can he stay motivated in small-market Nashville?

Fifth: Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild

He plays marathon minutes, and why not? All he does is do the right thing virtually all the time with the puck.

Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)

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Pick: Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning

He may not be ready for the season opener Thursday against Florida because of a fractured thumb. Injuries will probably always be something of a media-generated worry for the undersized forward, but there's no doubt he has high-end skill.

Second: John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

He was built up as the second coming of Patrick Roy in the playoffs against Los Angeles. Then he flamed out pretty quickly. But he remains one of the bright young netminders in the league, and he might win this thing.

Third: Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames

I screwed up not picking him in my top five. After seeing him play a couple times now in the preseason and once at Boston College, I should have known better. He's going to be a player.

Fourth: Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers

He was my top pick, and I still might be right. The No. 1 pick overall is a stud D-man but probably needs more runway to dominate at this level.

Fifth: Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers

You've never heard of him, but he's got high-end skill and could finally help get the Oilers out of the ditch.

Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)

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Pick: Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins

He won it last season and in 2012. With a talented cast and a top-notch goalie still around him, he could easily make it a third time. Goalies can make great players out of forwards defensively, and vice versa.

Bergeron is the rare forward who goes the extra centimeter defensively for his goalies. He is a true leader—and oh yeah, also the face of NHL 15.

Second: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Remember when I said earlier he gets it done at both ends maybe better than anyone in the game? Right.

Third: Ryan O'Reilly, Colorado Avalanche

He led the NHL in takeaways last year and still found time to lead the Avalanche in goals. He's the thinking man's forward, a throwback player in many ways.

Fourth: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Captain Serious cares as much in the less glamorous end of the ice as he does the other.

Fifth: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

Time is starting to catch up to the sublime Russian, but he's got at least one more great year left.

Jack Adams Trophy (Coach of the Year)

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Pick: Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning

He was a finalist last season but lost to Patrick Roy. With a healthy Steven Stamkos starting the year, a strong Calder candidate in Jonathan Drouin, a good goalie in Ben Bishop and a smart GM in Steve Yzerman, this could be Cooper's time to speak at the podium.

Cooper is well regarded by his players, though his intensity makes him a candidate to be tuned out before long. That's the nature of coaching in this league.

Second: Lindy Ruff, Dallas Stars

I hope like heck he finishes this high in the voting at least. He's one of the NHL's real good guys, a heart-and-soul hockey lifer. With new acquisitions on his team such as Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky, he might win this.

Third: Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues

Many believe he's got the hottest seat in the NHL with back-to-back first-round flameouts on his resume in St. Louis. Could be, but he always gets his team to the playoffs at least.

Fourth: Peter Laviolette, Nashville Predators

If history is any judge, and it usually is, he will have a good honeymoon year or two in Nashville before burning his team out with his constant browbeaten look.

Fifth: Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals

That was really weird to type just now: "Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals." After 15 years in Nashville, he's a Capitals coach now. Time marches on, and so does his brand of competence behind the bench. He'll get the Caps turned around.