THN Boston Site Editors Joe Pohoryles and Belle Fraser lay out their mid-season awards picks for the 2023-24 Boston Bruins.
THN Boston Site Editors Joe Pohoryles and Belle Fraser lay out their mid-season awards picks for the 2023-24 Boston Bruins.
With the Boston Bruins sitting 31-9-9 at the All-Star break, THN Boston is handing out mid-season awards. Site Editors Belle Fraser and Joe Pohoryles were able to agree on most categories, but it wasn't fully unanimous.
Art Ross Trophy
Top Point Scorer
Joe Pohoryles: David Pastrnak
Belle Fraser: David Pastrnak
This one isn’t even a debate. With 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) through 49 games, Pastrnak is 25 points clear of the Bruins’ next-highest scorer, Brad Marchand (24 goals, 23 assists). Barring an injury that slows his progress down, Pastrnak will run away as the Bruins scoring leader, proving he doesn’t need Patrice Bergeron at pivot to produce.
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
Top Goal Scorer
JP: David Pastrnak
BF: David Pastrnak
This race is closer, with Pastrnak having just nine more goals than Marchand, but we're still giving Pastrnak the edge here. It feels like he scores in just about every other game, and the numbers back it up. At the All-Star break, Pastrnak has slightly more games with at least one goal (25) than games without one (24). That productivity and consistency can’t be matched among Boston’s ranks.
Hart Memorial Trophy
Most Valuable Player
JP: David Pastrnak
BF: David Pastrnak
This is getting repetitive, but when you look at how much Pastrnak has lapped the field on the offensive side, it’s easy to argue. The Bruins would not be close to where they were if he was swapped out with a replacement-level player. Pastrnak has refused to slow down. Despite the absence of Bergeron and David Krejci, Pastrnak has maintained his offensive production. What’s more, Pastrnak’s play-making ability has shined through while skating on both the first line with Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle, and the second line with James van Riemsdyk and Pavel Zacha.
James Norris Memorial Trophy
Top Defenseman
JP: Charlie McAvoy
BF: Charlie McAvoy
Despite missing eight games between suspension and injury, McAvoy is the highest-scoring defenseman on the team and ranks fourth overall with 33 points. Offensive prowess aside, McAvoy was handed heightened responsibility on and off of the ice ahead of the 2023-24 season, and it has brought his game to a new level. His 5-on-5 Corsi For Percentage, Fenwick For Percentage, Shots For Percentage and Goals For Percentage are each above 50. The Boston University product has four points in the last five games, while playing key roles on both the first power play and penalty kill units.
Vezina Trophy
Top Goalie
JP: Jeremy Swayman
BF: Jeremy Swayman
While Linus Ullmark is the reigning Vezina winner, Swayman deserves the nod among Boston’s tandem this season. When Ullmark went down with a lower-body injury in January, Swayman proved he had the makings of a true NHL starter. He backstopped the Bruins to three wins in four consecutive starts during the stretch. Swayman has posted a 2.30 goals against average and .924 save percentage through 27 games, and has only gotten better as the season’s gone on – positionally and confidence-wise. While Boston will continue to operate a 50/50 split through the season, Swayman has surpassed Ullmark as the 1A.
Frank J. Selke Trophy
Top Defensive Forward
JP: Jake DeBrusk
Wingers typically don’t receive this distinction in the real award voting, but DeBrusk deserves recognition for his defense. He has the second-highest Corsi For Percentage at 5-on-5 (51.3%) among Bruins forwards behind Marchand (51.95%), as well as the fewest shots allowed per 60 (28.88) and goals allowed per 60 (1.55) amongst the Bruins’ top six forwards at 5-on-5. Add in his secondary role on the penalty kill, and DeBrusk has proven he’s arguably Boston’s best defensive forward this season.
BF: Charlie Coyle
Coyle has been exactly what the Bruins needed him to be this season. While Coyle was originally tabbed for the 2C slotting, he’s proven to be the team’s most reliable center and is on pace to hit the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career. Coyle has 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) through 49 games, but he hasn’t let his defensive play slip. His versatility – work on the penalty kill and in the final minutes of close contests – has been indispensable for Boston. Most importantly, Coyle’s two-way, 200-foot game has been consistent. He’s a difference-maker every night.
Calder Memorial Trophy
Rookie of the Year
JP: Mason Lohrei
BF: Mason Lohrei
Lohrei was recently sent down to AHL Providence with the defensive corps at full health, but the 23-year-old has proven he can hold his own while being moved around on all three pairs. The defenseman has risen to the occasion when called upon – Boston’s backend was riddled with injuries in the first half of the season – and has actively grown his game while skating with the likes of McAvoy and Brandon Carlo. There’s obvious aspects of Lohrei’s game that need to improve – knowing when to jump into the offense, game management, utilizing his size – but he took the NHL schedule and cadence in stride without hiding behind his veteran D partners.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Perseverance and Sportsmanship
JP: Danton Heinen
BF: Danton Heinen
After going through the entire offseason without a new contract, then spending about two months on a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO), Heinen eventually earned himself a league-minimum contract at the end of October and has shined in a bottom-six role for Boston ever since. His 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 41 games makes Heinen one of the most cost-efficient players in the NHL, and teammates have spoken endlessly about his resilience during his PTO.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Sportsmanship, Gentlemanly Conduct combined with Playing Ability
JP: James van Riemsdyk
Another veteran bargain for the Bruins, van Riemsdyk has quietly stepped in as a valuable member of the team. He’s currently fifth in points with 32 (eight goals, 24 assists), and despite doing his damage as a physical net front presence, he’s a clean player that doesn’t go out of his way to start trouble. His eight penalty minutes are the fewest on the team among players with at least 40 games played this season.
BF: Brandon Carlo
Carlo has not just been a leader on the backend, but for the entire Bruins team. The veteran defenseman – who has 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) – is relentlessly reliable and wears the spoked-B with pride. Despite his edge, and 24 penalty minutes, Carlo has been an essential voice to get Boston out of its occasional slumps and continuously leads by example. Carlo plays within himself while still being an effective physical presence for the Bruins.
Other Links:
Assessing the Bruins’ Performance Within the Atlantic Division
Evaluating The Hampus Lindholm Effect
Bruins ‘Czech Mates’ Reunite on Dominant Line