A total of 47 respondents from The Hockey News' sites made their picks for the Hart, Norris and Vezina Trophies along with more of the NHL Awards. Quinn Hughes [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1ODUzNTI1Mzc5MzkzMTQ0/usatsi_22106582_168400847_lowres.jpg] Quinn Hughes Colorado Avalanche superstar center Nathan MacKinnon was voted the NHL’s most valuable player this season as part of a brand-new, wide-ranging poll of writers and editors from The Hockey News. Forty-seven respondents to the poll voted this week on a slew of different topics, with widespread consensus in a handful of areas, and a vast difference of opinion in many others. Here's Part 1 of the poll’s results featuring the NHL’s season-ending individual awards. HART TROPHY (FOR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER) Analysis: The Hockey News’ voters gave the nod to MacKinnon, who is arguably the clear favorite to win his first Hart Trophy this year. MacKinnon generated 51 goals, 89 assists and 140 points in 82 games this season – all career highs for the 28-year-old – and his dominance did not go unnoticed. Art Ross Trophy winner Kucherov was a relatively distant second place, followed by Matthews, the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy winner as the league’s top goal-scorer. Panarin, the key force behind the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers, rounded out the voting. You can make a solid case for MacKinnon, Kucherov and Matthews to win this year’s Hart, but ultimately, MacKinnon’s total package status got him the honor here. NORRIS TROPHY (FOR BEST DEFENSEMAN) Analysis: What seemed like a two-man race and, more recently, a three-man race during the season looks to have turned into a blowout. Canucks star D-man Hughes was the clear consensus winner of top defenseman honors, garnering all but seven votes for the category. If Hughes does the expected and wins this year’s Norris, it would be his first such honor. Josi, who won his first Norris in 2020, was next in voting, followed by 2022 Norris winner, Avalanche star Makar. Stars top blueliner Heiskanen rounded out the voting. All of these blueliners could wind up in the same position next season, a credit to them as consistently excellent performers. And nobody would be surprised if Hughes takes home the same award next season and in seasons beyond. VEZINA TROPHY (FOR BEST GOALTENDER) Analysis: Jets netminding powerhouse Hellebuyck was the runaway winner in this category, taking in 45 votes. Hellebuyck won his first Vezina in 2020, and he could take home his second this season. He will already take home the William M. Jennings Trophy this year for being the starting netminder on the team with the fewest goals against. Finishing in a tie for second is Canucks cornerstone Demko and Oilers No. 1 Skinner. But Hellebuyck is the real story here. Before the season, there were fears he’d leave Winnipeg when he was scheduled to be a UFA at the end of the season. Instead, he signed a multi-year contract extension and gave the Jets one of his most dominant seasons ever, posting a .921 save percentage and 2.39 goals-against average in 60 appearances. At age 30, he’s in his prime and could be the Jets’ most valuable player in the looming Stanley Cup playoffs. SELKE TROPHY (FOR BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD) Analysis: Voters saw what everyone has seen in recent seasons – namely, that Barkov is the pre-eminent defense-minded forward in the game. Barkov took home his first Selke in 2021, and he should add his second to the mix this season. Matthews and Staal were a distant second with three votes apiece, followed by Aho, Dickinson and Kopitar, each of whom got a single vote. Kopitar already has two Selkes to his credit, but at age 36, he’s on the back nine of a Hockey Hall of Fame career, and even receiving one vote for another Selke speaks volumes of his incredible talent. CALDER TROPHY (FOR TOP ROOKIE) Analysis: This category was a two-horse race, with Blackhawks budding superstar Bedard emerging as the favorite to win it. A relatively distant second place was Wild blueliner Faber, who, unlike Bedard, stayed healthy all season and produced 39 assists and 47 points in 82 games. Minnesota is elated to have him, but despite missing 14 games due to injury, Bedard still led all rookies in points with 61 in 68 games, and he made the biggest impression on the poll’s respondents. LADY BYNG TROPHY (FOR MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER) Analysis: This award was hotly contested, but ultimately, Matthews – who had just 20 penalty minutes – pulled in the most votes. This would be Matthews’ first Lady Byng Trophy, but if Slavin wins it, it would be his second. JACK ADAMS AWARD (FOR BEST COACH) Analysis: The coaching business gets tougher seemingly every season. But Tocchet – a coaching staple for many years before being hired by Vancouver last season – guided the Canucks to the top of the Pacific Division and kept them stable through injuries and the regular-season grind. The runner-up here was Brunette, who steered the Predators to what some would say is an overachievement year, followed by first-year Capitals bench boss Carbery and Knoblauch, who took the helm of the Oilers early this season. Veteran coaches Laviolette, Cooper and Bowness also received votes here, but it’s readily apparent Tocchet should win this category. Be sure to look for other intriguing results from The Hockey News poll – including our picks for the Stanley Cup playoffs – when they’re posted this weekend on THN.com. 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