CoreNHL's Award Picks For The 2024-25 NHL Season
Who does CoreNHL's model have as the winner and finalists for each prominent award for the 2024-25 NHL season?
Some awards have already been given out for the 2024-25 NHL season, but the rest will be announced at the 2025 NHL Awards on June 12.
So, who does CoreNHL have as the winner for each?
Frank J. Selke Trophy | Joel Eriksson Ek
CoreNHL’s Finalists: Joel Eriksson Ek, Anthony Cirelli, Aleksander Barkov
The Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game, and Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov has already won the award for the third time in 2025.
As deserving as he was, Joel Eriksson Ek was calculated as the best defensive forward in 2024-25 on a per-game basis, according to CoreNHL.
Eriksson Ek is widely viewed as one of the best two-way forwards in hockey, yet he finished 24th in Selke voting this past season, likely due to playing just 46 games.
He leverages his size to win defensive zone puck battles, and he is unafraid to use his body to block shots.
The model and Professional Hockey Writers Association greatly varied regarding who the winner should be, though the model’s other two finalists aligned with the voters’ selections.
Calder Memorial Trophy | Lane Hutson
CoreNHL’s Finalists: Lane Hutson, Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov
The Calder Trophy is the NHL’s version of the Rookie of the Year trophy, and the model had four rookies incredibly tight at the top: Lane Hutson, Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov, and Dustin Wolf.
In the end, Hutson squeezed ahead to come out on top, agreeing with the voters following his 66-point season.
It is unsurprising to see Hutson here, as the dazzling defenseman broke multiple franchise records for the Montreal Canadiens while tying Larry Murphy for the most assists ever by a rookie defenseman.
As Hutson develops his defensive game, he will become one of the best blueliners in the NHL.
While Hutson earned the top spot, Celebrini, Michkov, and Wolf all had incredible seasons, and even would have beaten multiple recent Calder winners in the model.
Hart Memorial Trophy + Ted Lindsay Award | Leon Draisaitl
CoreNHL’s Finalists: Leon Draisaitl, Nikita Kucherov, Sam Reinhart
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is most deserving of both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award, according to CoreNHL’s model.
Draisaitl won the Hart and Ted Lindsay in 2019-20 and is poised to take the Hart home again after leading the NHL in goals while finishing third in total points.
The race was close between Draisaitl and Nikita Kucherov — the 2018-19 Hart Trophy winner and 2024-25 Ted Lindsay Award winner — but Draisaitl’s career-best defensive performance puts him atop this list.
James Norris Memorial Trophy | Cale Makar
CoreNHL’s Finalists: Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, Quinn Hughes
Another unsurprising result is Cale Makar finishing as the favorite for the Norris Trophy in both betting odds and the model, beating out Zach Werenski and Quinn Hughes.
The Colorado Avalanche defenseman had no weaknesses in 2024-25, posting elite offensive stats in every category with a 30-goal campaign while winning his minutes in the defensive zone and on the penalty kill.
Notably, Rasmus Dahlin and Colton Parayko finished the season fourth and fifth in the model.
Makar has been a finalist for the award in five consecutive seasons and is expected to take home the award for the second time in his young career.
Vezina Trophy | Connor Hellebuyck
CoreNHL’s Finalists: Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Dustin Wolf
The race for the Vezina Trophy really wasn’t close in 2024-25, as Connor Hellebuyck dominated the field.
He went 47-12-3 with eight shutouts, a 2.00 GAA, .925 SV%, and dominance in the GSAx category according to nearly all public and private tracking models.
Hellebuyck’s season was so impressive he is the betting favorite to finish as the runner-up for the Hart Trophy, but CoreNHL’s model is not as high on goaltenders as the public.
After Hellebuyck, Vasilevskiy and Wolf posted dominant seasons, with Wolf being the only player in CoreNHL’s model to be a finalist for multiple awards.
The Calgary Flames’ netminder went 29-16-8 with three shutouts, a 2.64 GAA, and .910 SV%.
Without Wolf, the Flames were a .500 team, which goes to show just how valuable he was in keeping them competitive.
You can check out more of Michael’s work at The Hockey News, follow him on X (michaelost13), Instagram (CoreNHL) or contact him directly at Michael.ostrower@gmail.com
Great picks! who were some under the radar players who you believe should have gotten more consideration for these awards?