5 New Jersey Devils Who Could Win Awards This Season

Every year, we put out an article talking about the pie-in-the-sky predictions that would lead to New Jersey Devils players winning awards. Sometimes there was an outside chance (usually for the Calder Trophy since it was all rookies), but usually, it was a long shot at best. Some actually came true. One year, we created our own NHL Awards just so the Devils could win something. This year, it’s different.

The Devils are legit contenders, and the players and personnel have legit shots at winning the biggest awards in the league. We’re talking Hart, Selke, Norris, Calder, Jack Adams, and everything in between. Heck, the Devils could legit be a Presidents’ Trophy contender. They were third in points last season. One would expect them to be a little better this year.

So, now we can make some realistic predictions as to who will be in the awards discussion this season.

Jack Hughes – Hart Trophy

Let’s start with this; we think Jack Hughes is going to win the Lady Bing this season. He’s been really close, he rarely gets penalties, and he’s one of the league’s biggest stars. Speaking of stars, he’s also going to be one of the primary MVP favorites going into the season. He’s not Connor McDavid level yet, but he’s much higher up the list than he was last year.

Right now, Hughes is in the top 10 on almost any sportsbook when it comes to MVP odds. He finds himself close to Kirill Kaprizov, Auston Matthews, and David Pastrnak. Those are some of the biggest names in the NHL, where Hughes finds himself.

If the Devils win the Presidents’ Trophy and Hughes ends up with something like 120 points, it will be hard to deny him short of a ridiculous Connor McDavid season. Here’s the thing about McDavid, if he scores 120 points, that’s a 32-point drop from last season. The perception could open the door for Hughes to take home the franchise’s second Hart Trophy.