For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter With the announcement of the end of the NHL regular season, voting will soon commence on the league’s annual awards. At points during the year, it appeared that a number of players on the Toronto Maple Leafs would garner consideration, but when the season was paused on March 12, only one player appears to be a serious contender for recognition. Auston Matthews ended the season one goal behind Alex Ovechkin and David Pastrnak in the race for the Rocket Richard, tied with Ovechkin for most even-strength goals (35), in the top 10 of NHL scoring with 80 points (47 goals, 33 assists) and also led\ the Leafs in power-play goals (12), power-play points (25), plus/minus (+19) and shots on goal (290). Those statistics may not be able to get the 22-year-old into the top three for the Hart Trophy, but his eight penalty minutes in 70 games may make Matthews a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy, which is awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. Florida’s Aleksander Barkov was awarded the Lady Byng last season after finishing 10th in the NHL scoring with 96 points with only 8 penalty minutes in 82 games. Other possible candidates could be Art Ross Trophy winner Leon Draisaitl, who led the NHL with 110 points and only had 18 penalty minutes in 71 games, and Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon, who had 93 points and 12 penalty minutes. Others that appeared to be in the mix during the season were goalie Frederik Andersen for the Vezina Trophy, but in spite of playing great in November and December (14-6-2 record, 2.50 GAA and .921 save percentage) and earning his first All-Star appearance, Andersen’s struggles in January and February (3.54 GAA, .889 save percentage) and a neck injury caused him to miss nearly two weeks took him out of any serious consideration. Morgan Rielly failed to play to the same level that had him finish fifth in Norris Trophy voting last season, but Zach Hyman may earn some consideration and votes for the Frank Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) and Justin Holl for the Bill Masterton Trophy (perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey) after sitting out most of last season and earning a full time spot on the Toronto blueline. . *******
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We discuss the nuts & bolts of Phase 2, which Hub Cities we see as most likely, how NHL roster size might be handled, Isles’ Ilya Sorokin dilemma, & much more.
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