{"id":134949,"date":"2023-01-26T09:30:09","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T14:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=134949"},"modified":"2023-01-25T19:54:22","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T00:54:22","slug":"mid-season-trophy-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/01\/26\/mid-season-trophy-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Mid-Season Trophy Winners\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

All NHL teams have now played over 41 games and the All-Star Game is coming up. That marks the unofficial midway point of the season. It’s time to handout the mid-season trophy winners. Things can change in the second half of the season but for now, these players and coaches have enjoyed a great first half.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NHL Trophy Winners At The Break<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hart Trophy \u2013 Connor McDavid<\/a>, Edmonton Oilers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

This mid-season trophy winner is a no brainer. The Hart Trophy is no contest. Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid is the league\u2019s\u00a0most valuable player<\/a>, the league\u2019s best player and all-around good guy. Who knows where the Oilers would be without him. The Erie Otters product makes everyone around him better.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I made a road trip to Peterborough, Ontario in 2012 to watch this phenom play. At the age of 15, he did not disappoint playing against much older players. I knew then he was the real deal and he has lived up to the lofty expectations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ted Lindsay<\/a> Award –\u00a0Connor McDavid<\/a>, Edmonton Oilers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

See above. While the fans marvel at his talents from the seats and 31 NHL executives dream of having him on their team, the players are more aware than anyone in the game. McDavid is as good as it gets. There is no more meaningful praise than that which comes from your peers. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Art Ross<\/a> Trophy \u2013 Connor McDavid<\/a>, Edmonton Oilers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

McDavid is running away with the scoring title.<\/a> He is on pace to finish almost 30 points ahead of his closest competitor. Not surprisingly, teammate Leon Draisaitl<\/a> currently sits in second place and many of his points come with the help of #97. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last week, he became the fastest player to score 40 goals in a season since Florida Panthers sniper Pavel Bure<\/a> also did it in 48 games in 1999-2000. He is getting close to the legendary status for hockey pools. Like Gretzky in his heyday, it\u2019s almost time to split his goals and assists. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Norris Trophy \u2013 Erik Karlsson<\/a>, San Jose Sharks<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

This set of the mid-season trophy winners is a beautiful thing. What a story! When the Ottawa Senators traded Erik Karlsson<\/a> to the San Jose Sharks in 2018, he had already won the Norris Trophy twice. However, his game deteriorated due to injuries<\/a> and he bottomed out in 2020-21 with just 22 points in 52 games and a plus\/minus of -18. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To make matters worse, the deal that seemed so one-sided in favour of the Sharks at the time is turning around for the Senators, Joshua Norris<\/a> and Tim St\u00fctzle<\/a> were not on the radar in 2018 but are now integral players in Ottawa.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This season, the smooth-skating Swede is on pace to smash all of his personal bests. His plus\/minus is respectable for the amount of ice-time he gets with a struggling team. The game is better with a healthy Erik Karlsson<\/a> in it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Honourable mention: Josh Morrissey<\/a> is enjoying a breakout season with the Winnipeg Jets. Picked 13<\/span>th<\/span> overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. The Prince Albert Raiders product has already surpassed his personal bests with half a season to go. Rasmus Dahlin<\/a> of the Buffalo Sabres has taken his game to another level this season, averaging better than a point per game. <\/span><\/p>\n

Linus Ullmark: Embed from Getty Images<\/a>