McDavid for MVP? Assessing the choices for top NHL awards

Connor McDavid has put together the first 150-point season in the NHL since the mid-1990s, Erik Karlsson is the first defenceman to hit 100 points in more than 30 years and the Boston Bruins made history by setting the single-season wins record.

Put all that together, and who will win the league's major awards this year seems obvious.

McDavid could again be the unanimous choice for the Hart Trophy as league MVP, Karlsson is a favourite to win the Norris Trophy for a third time and the Bruins could sweep for top goaltender, defensive forward and coach honours.

Who will win? Connor McDavid, Edmonton.

Other contenders: Mikko Rantanen (Colorado), David Pastrnak (Boston), Jack Hughes (New Jersey).

FanDuel Sportsbook odds: Off the board.

McDavid won it unanimously in 2021, and the Oilers captain has only strengthened his position as the best hockey player in the world by surpassing 60 goals. The last player to record 150 points in a season was Mario Lemieux and, before that, Wayne Gretzky.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche have been ravaged by injuries and Rantanen is their most consistent star not to miss time. Pastrnak, like McDavid, reached the 60-goal plateau, and Hughes has the Devils back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Who will win? Erik Karlsson, San Jose.

Other contenders: Adam Fox (N.Y. Rangers), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo), Miro Heiskanen (Dallas).

FanDuel odds: Karlsson (-400), Fox (+1000), Morrissey (+1200).

No defenceman until Karlsson had reached 100 points since Brian Leetch in 1991-92. Doing it at the age of 32 makes Karlsson the most likely choice, even though the Sharks have been out of contention most of the season. He won in 2015.

Fox was victorious in 2021