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With finalists starting to be named for NHL awards, I figured now would be as good of a time as any to hand out major awards to the Calgary Flames' player most deserving.
Let's get right to it.
Art Ross: Johnny Gaudreau
Despite a somewhat slow start to the season, and missing double digit games due to a hand injury caused by Eric Staal, Gaudreau still led the way with a respectable 61 points in 72 games. Sean Monahan went on a scoring surge to end the year but ultimately he fell just short.
Rocket Richard Trophy: Sean Monahan
Monahan scored just five goals in his first 24 games of the season but really picked it up after that finding twine 22 times in his final 58 games. Nobody really came close to challenging him for the goal lead as Mikael Backlund (22) was the only other Flame to score more than 18 goals.
Hart Trophy: Mikael Backlund
Backlund was incredible for the Flames this season. He set career highs in goals, assists, points, shots and he was a big time possession driver despite playing against the opposing team's top players each and every night. He and Michael Frolik were also a prolific duo on the penalty kill.
Vezina Trophy: Brian Elliott
Elliott is the obvious answer here regardless of Chad Johnson posting the same overall save percentage. Elliott posted a quality start 58% of the time (compared to 50% for Johnson), had three fewer Really Bad Starts (starts with a sub .850SV%), and is the guy who got hot and went on a long winning streak that allowed the Flames to get in the playoffs.
Calder Trophy: Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuk was everything the Flames could have possibly hoped for and more in his rookie campaign. He put up points, he posted some of the best relative possession numbers in the league, and he challenged anyone and everyone who stepped in his way all season long. I can't wait to see what he has in store next season.
Norris Trophy: Dougie Hamilton
Hamilton finished 3rd among defensemen in 5v5 scoring (behind Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson), 2nd in 5v5 points per 60 minutes (behind only Burns), 2nd in 5v5 shots per 60 (2nd to only Burns), and 1st among 133 defensemen (minimum 1,000 minutes) in 5v5 Corsi For% relative to the team.
Remember when Hamilton should have been traded because he wasn't a fit in Calgary or for the Western Conference game? Good times, good times.
Selke Trophy: Mikael Backlund
Again, Backlund took on the toughest defensive assignments on a nightly basis and still finished with 50+ points and fantastic underlying numbers.
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