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THN Montreal recognizes Canadiens players who have excelled so far this season as the club takes the next steps in its rebuild.

Excerpt from 'Habs Hockey Report' of host Amy Johnson commenting on Mike Matheson's statistics this season.

After 49 games this season, the Montreal Canadiens have a record of 20-21-8 for 48 points. Currently that places them 26th in the National Hockey League and on pace for a 79-point season.

While Canadiens players may not be in the conversation for season-ending NHL awards, let's take a look at the individuals who have stood out so far for the Marty St. Louis-coached squad.

MONTREAL CANADIENS MID-SEASON AWARDS

ART ROSS TROPHY: Nick Suzuki, 42 points in 49 games

The Captain is in Toronto this weekend representing the Canadiens, his third appearance at the league's All-Star game. Suzuki leads the Habs in points and is on pace for a 70-point season, his first in the NHL.

MAURICE "ROCKET" RICHARD TROPHY: Cole Caufield, 17 goals in 49 games

The 23-year-old sniper got off to a very slow start, but rediscovered his scoring touch at the end of December. Caufield has scored six goals in his last eight games and leads the team with 17 goals this season. He will be looking to break the 30-goal barrier for the first time in his career.

HART MEMORIAL TROPHY: Sean Monahan, 35 points in 49 games

Monahan has arguably become the most important player for the Habs this season. With injuries down the middle to Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, Monahan has solidified the second line centre position and made his linemates better. The 29-year-old is Kent Hughes' best trade asset and fans will be looking for a haul when he is moved by the deadline.

JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY: Mike Matheson, 34 points in 49 games

Currently Matheson is fifth in the NHL in average time on ice per game at 25:18. Of the top five minute-eaters, Matheson is second in points with 34 but has the worst rating of the group at minus-17.

VEZINA TROPHY: no winner

With Canadiens goaltenders, such as Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy and Carey Price, winning the Vezina 29 times, it seems prudent to pass on naming a winner in this category.

None of the three Canadiens goaltenders this season has a winning record. They each have a goals against average of more than three goals. Save percentages hover around the .900 mark and are within .006 of each other. No Habs goalie is in the top-25 in the category of goals saved above expected.

For good news, we can turn to the NCAA where Canadiens prospect Jacob Fowler is the league's co-leader in wins with 18 and sports a 2.25 goals against average and a .924 save percentage for Boston College.

FRANK J. SELKE TROPHY: Nick Suzuki

At 24-years-old, Suzuki is on track to develop into one of the league's best two-way centers. Suzuki has made the most strides in his defensive game and is tasked with facing the opposition's top line on a nightly basis.

CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY: Jayden Struble, 4 points in 31 games

The impressive number for Struble is not his points but his games played. No one predicted that the 22-year-old defenseman would so seamlessly slide into the Canadiens lineup early this season and play like he belongs.

BILL MASTERTON MEMORIAL TROPHY: Sean Monahan, 49 games played

Last season, Monahan suffered multiple injuries, his season ending with groin surgery after playing just 25 games with the Canadiens. Monahan has enjoyed a bounce-back season playing in each Montreal game so far this season and playing well.

LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY: Sean Monahan, 10 PIM

In the second game of the season, Monahan scored the game-winning, shorthanded goal as the Canadiens defeated the Chicago Blackhawks. Monahan was also assessed a double minor for high-sticking Connor Bedard in the final minute of this game played on October 14th.

Since then, Monahan has recorded just six minutes in penalties and none since December 2nd.

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