NHL Award Predictions: The Current Favorites to Take the Trophies

We're getting close to NHL Awards time again, and one of the hobbies of hockey writers around the league is to pick the award winners.

Last season, Henrik Sedin was the big winner by taking home the Art Ross and Hart Trophies for leading scorer and MVP, respectively.

This season, I'm going to give you the current leader, along with who I think will win each major award when the season is over.

William Jennings Trophy

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NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 16: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins is congratulated by Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins after the Boston Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-1 at the Prudential Center on October 16, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by

What: Awarded to the goalkeeper(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it in the regular season.

Leaders: Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask

Prediction: Nothing will change. Nashville, Vancouver and Los Angeles are close but none of them will catch the Bruins for fewest goals allowed.

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 02: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning leaps to try to tip in a shot as he crashes into goalie Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils and receives a goaltender interference penalty during the second period of an NHL hoc

What: Awarded to the top goal scorer in the regular season.

Leader: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, 41 goals

Prediction: Barring a season-ending injury, Stamkos has this one wrapped up. He's got an eight goal lead on anyone else, even after slumping with just one goal in his last 10 games.

Frank J. Selke Trophy

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks battles with Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins while in the corner during the second period in NHL action on February 26, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, C

What: Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.

Leader: It's hard to name a definitive leader for a subjective award, but it should be Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks.

Prediction: Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings has won this award three straight seasons, but he missed 19 games due to a broken hand and is likely out of the running. Kesler will win his first career Selke after two previous nominations.

Lady Byng Trophy

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 23: Ruslan Fedotenko #19 of the New York Rangers tries to stop Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden on December 23, 2010 in New York City. (Photo b

What: Awarded to the player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

Leader: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, 75 points, 8 penalty minutes

Prediction: Loui Eriksson of the Dallas Stars is a close second (59 points, 6 PIMs) but St. Louis will win this award for the second straight season.

Jack Adams Award

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 08: Head Coach Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins watches his team play the Minnesota Wild on January 8, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

What: Awarded to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success.

Leaders: There are several leading candidates, including Marc Crawford (Dallas), Mike Babcock (Detroit), Jacques Lemaire (New Jersey), Peter Laviolette (Philadelphia), Dan Bylsma (Pittsburgh), Guy Boucher (Tampa Bay) and Alain Vigneault (Vancouver).

Prediction: Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins will win the award. Despite serious injuries to Jordan Staal, Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and several other Penguins regulars, Bylsma has kept the Penguins in seventh place in the league with a 37-21-7 mark.

Vezina Trophy

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks jumps out of the way of a shot as the puck sails over the head of goalie Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins during the third period in NHL action on February 26, 2011 at Roge

What: Awarded to the league's top goaltender.

Leader: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

Prediction: This is probably the easiest award to pick this season, as Tim Thomas has been absolutely phenomenal and is on pace to set a record for best save percentage in a season. Pekka Rinne and Roberto Luongo are also candidates if Thomas struggles badly down the stretch.

Calder Memorial Trophy

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 27: Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a save in the shootout against the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center on February 27, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo

What: Awarded to the league's most outstanding rookie.

Leaders: There are a few leading candidates right now, including Jeff Skinner (Carolina), Logan Couture (San Jose), Michael Grabner (New York Islanders) and Corey Crawford (Chicago).

Prediction: Crawford will lead the Blackhawks to playoffs and win the Calder. What sets him apart from other candidates is that he's amongst the league leaders in major categories. Crawford is third in GAA and 10th in save percentage.

Art Ross Trophy

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 02: Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks shoots the puck against the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on February 2, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Canucks defeated the Coyotes 6-0. (Photo by Christia

What: Awarded to the player who leads the league in total points at the end of the regular season.

Leader: Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, 79 points

Prediction: Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, with 78 points currently, has one game in hand on Daniel Sedin and will pass him to claim the Art Ross. In the case of a tie for points, the Art Ross goes to the player with more goals, which gives Stamkos a slight advantage.

James Norris Memorial Trophy

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Keith Yandle #3 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates with the puck past Tomas Vincour #81 of the Dallas Stars during the first period of the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peters

What: Awarded to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.

Leaders: Currently there are a handful of candidates including Keith Yandle (Phoenix), Nick Lidstrom (Detroit), Lubomir Visnovsky (Anaheim), Kris Letang (Pittsburgh) and Zdeno Chara (Boston).

Prediction: Keith Yandle will win his first career Norris Trophy and prevent Nick Lidstrom from capturing his seventh. Yandle has emerged as an MVP candidate and is a great all-around defenseman.

Ted Lindsay Award

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning takes a shot in front of Willie Mitchell #33 of the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on November 4, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

What: Awarded to the NHL's most outstanding player as voted by the members of the NHL Players Association.

Leaders: Steven Stamkos (Tampa), Daniel Sedin (Vancouver), Tim Thomas (Boston), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh), Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)

Prediction: If Sidney Crosby comes back in time to finish in the top 10 in league scoring, he will win the award. It's more likely that he won't, in which case Steven Stamkos will win the Ted Lindsay Award.

Hart Trophy

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CALGARY,CANADA - FEBRUARY 22: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins celebrates a win against the Calgary Flames looks on during their NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome, February 22,2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

What: Awarded to the player adjudged most valuable to his team throughout the regular season.

Leaders: Steven Stamkos (Tampa), Daniel Sedin (Vancouver), Tim Thomas (Boston), Keith Yandle (Phoenix), Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh), Jonathan Toews (Chicago), Jarome Iginla (Calgary), Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit)

Prediction: I believe it will be Tim Thomas who wins the Hart Trophy this year, but there are several competitors who could decide it before the end of the season.

Jonathan Toews has been the best player in the league since the All Star Break, and was named the NHL's first star for February after posting 21 points and a plus-13 rating in 13 games.

Since the Flames turned it around in late December, Jarome Iginla has 34 points in 32 games, and is the heart of the Calgary team. He once again finds himself in the top 10 in league scoring and has brought the Flames from 14th in the Western Conference up to sixth place.

Daniel Sedin and Steven Stamkos are of course vying for the scoring lead.

Keith Yandle has the Coyotes clinging to a playoff spot.

Henrik Zetterberg picked up the slack when Pavel Datsyuk was injured and he now sits fifth in league scoring.

Marc-Andre Fleury has been a consistent force for Pittsburgh and has kept the Penguins in many games despite fielding a lineup of mainly AHL call-ups.

The Hart Trophy is still a wide open race and is bound to be one of the most debated awards ever.