Golden Knights receive two votes to win Presidents' Trophy, while captain Mark Stone earned two votes to win Selke.
LAS VEGAS – The Vegas Golden Knights earned two votes to win the President’s Trophy but were otherwise shutout of The Hockey News’ preseason poll.
No Vegas Golden Knights player was picked to win an individual award, as well.
While it might seem as a small slight toward the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the results shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Vegas doesn’t stand out in any one area, rather win as a team via depth. They tend to be stronger across three D-pairs and four lines than most teams.
Despite names such as Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Alex Pietrangelo, the Golden Knights are not necessarily known for high-flying scoring performances like Connor McDavid. Stone came the closest at being predicted to win an award, finishing fourth in projected Selke voting.
They don’t have a preseason Vezina candidate.
They don’t have a rookie who would make a run at Connor Bedard.
Either way, like most things at this point of the season, it should be taken with a grain of salt.
Other notes from THN’s Preseason Poll:
- The Hurricanes and Oilers led the way with nine votes apiece to win the Stanley Cup. Carolina was selected by 12 voters to make it and lose in the Stanley Cup Final.
- Edmonton’s Connor McDavid received 26 of 34 votes (79%) to win the Hart Trophy.
- McDavid also picked up 33 of 34 votes to win the Art Ross Trophy.
- Colorado’s Cale Makar was selected tow in the Norris Trophy.
- Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger was named the favorite to win the Vezina.
- Not surprisingly, Bedard was named favorite to win the Calder.
- New Jersey’s Nico Hischler was predicted to win the Selke.