2019 NHL Awards: Kucherov Wins Hart Trophy as MVP, Pettersson Named Top Rookie

By Neal Nachman
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: June 20, 2019

After dominating on the ice all throughout the regular season, it wasn’t surprising that the Lightning picked up quite a bit of hardware at the NHL Awards show on Wednesday. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy took home the Vezina Trophy, while teammate Nikita Kucherov won both the Ted Lindsay Award and was named MVP with the Hart Trophy, which he won by earning 164 first-place votes. Kucherov had already snagged the Art Ross Trophy after leading the NHL with a whopping 128 points this season.

But it wasn’t quite all smiles for Tampa Bay, which was swept in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Blue Jackets. Host Kenan Thompson poked fun at the Lightning at the top of the show for tying the wins record during the regular season and then tying the playoff record for the fewest wins, which seemed to be a bit too soon for the players in attendance based on their reactions.

The playoff glor(ia)y was reserved for the worst-to-first Blues, who saw their Conn Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly take home the Selke Trophy. Stalwart goaltender Jordan Binnington was nominated for the Calder Trophy, but the Rookie of the Year title went to Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson, who was dishing out highlights all season long.

Check out all of the winners for the 2018–19 season below.

Calder Memorial Trophy

Given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the NHL.

WINNER: ELIAS PETTERSSON (VAN)

Pettersson had a rookie campaign filled with highlight-worthy goals that made him a runaway favorite for the Calder for most of the season. Despite missing chunks to injury throughout his first year, the 20-year-old center led all rookies with 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists) and had seven game-winning goals in 71 games played.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Given to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

WINNER: ALEKSANDER BARKOV (FLA)

Barkov has been a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy three times in his four-year career, but this is the first time he’s won the award. The Panthers center finished the season with 96 points (35 goals, 61 assists), setting a franchise record.

Finalists: Aleksander Barkov (FLA), Sean Monahan (CGY), Ryan O’Reilly (STL)

General Manager of the Year

Presented to recognize the work of the league’s GMs.

WINNER: DON SWEENEY (BOS)

Sweeney spearheaded the build that led the Bruins all the way to the Stanley Cup Final after finishing the season with 107 points. The Bruins GM acquired Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson at the trade deadline, moves that proved to be quite fruitful for Boston as the pair combined for 27 points in the playoffs.

Finalists: Doug Armstrong (STL), Don Sweeney (BOS), Don Waddell (CAR)

King Clancy Trophy

Given to the player who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.

WINNER: JASON ZUCKER (MIN)

Zucker was nominated for the King Clancy Trophy last season, but this is his first time winning the award. The Minnesota forward opened the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in March, giving patients a space to watch games. Zucker also donated money for each one of his 21 goals scored this season.

Finalists: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI), Henrik Lundqvist (NYR), Jason Zucker (MIN)

Ted Lindsay Award

Given to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL.

WINNER: NIKITA KUCHEROV (TBL)

With his 128 points, Kucherov set the scoring record for a Russian-born player and led the way for the Lightning’s record-tying 62 wins this season. Before the winner was announced, a tribute was played for Ted Lindsay, who passed away in March at the age of 93.

Finalists: Patrick Kane (CHI), Connor McDavid (EDM), Nikita Kucherov (TBL)

James Norris Memorial Trophy

Given to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.

WINNER: MARK GIORDANO (CGY)

Giordano finished second in the league among defensemen with 74 points (17 goals, 57 assists), which also was a career high for him, and had a league-leading plus-39 rating. The Calgary captain won the award by a landslide.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

Given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

WINNER: ROBIN LEHNER (NYI)

After revealing in the preseason that he had been struggling with addiction and had been diagnosed with bipolar 1, Lehner went on to have an incredible season in net for the Islanders. “I’m not ashamed to say I’m mentally ill, but that doesn’t mean I’m mentally weak,” Lehner said to close out his acceptance speech.

Frank J. Selke Trophy

Given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.

WINNER: RYAN O’REILLY (STL)

Exactly one week after winning the Conn Smythe and the Stanley Cup, O’Reilly needs to find more room on his trophy shelf for the Selke. The Blues forward led the league in face-off wins and had career highs in both assists (43) and points (77).

Finalists: Patrice Bergeron (BOS), Ryan O’Reilly (STL), Mark Stone (VGK)

Jack Adams Award

Given to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.

WINNER: BARRY TROTZ (NYI)

In the midst of a “Good Burger” reunion on stage, Trotz was awarded the Jack Adams Award for the second time in his career, having won it with the Capitals in 2015–16. In his first season with the Islanders, Trotz was the engineer of the teams drastic turnaround. Just a year after allowing the most goals in a season, the Islanders allowed the fewest in 2018–19.

Vezina Trophy

Given to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position.

WINNER: ANDREI VASILEVSKIY (TBL)

While Kucherov led the Lightning in scoring, Vasilevskiy took care of business at the other end of the ice. The goalie won 18 of his final 21 starts down the stretch in the regular season and led the league with 39 wins.

Finalists: Ben Bishop (DAL), Robin Lehner (NYI), Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL)

Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award

Given “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season.”

WINNER: WAYNE SIMMONDS (NSH)

Although traded to the Predators at the trade deadline, Simmonds’s off-ice work primarily took place in Philadelphia, where he was a member of the Flyers for almost eight years.

Finalists: Mark Giordano (CGY), Wayne Simmonds (NSH), Justin Williams (CAR)

Hart Memorial Trophy

Given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team.