When
The NHL awards are Monday night at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Where
The awards are in Nashville this year, after pandemic cancellations, and last year's strange hybrid of pre-announced winners and a show in Tampa during the playoffs, the show again moves out of Vegas after years in that city.
The awards will be handed out at Bridgestone Arena, home of the Predators.
Why
You're on your own on this one. I don't find the show enjoyable, although I think it looks like this year's effort is the best in a very long time. If you like country music, you'll like the musical guests.
How
The show is on TNT in the US, and Sportsnet and TVA in Canada.
Who
There are many celebrity presenters, most with a hockey connection, led by Willy O'Ree, Pekka Rinne and Sarah Nurse. They're going to have an on-stage panel (which could be funny or horribly awkward) of Paul Bissonette, Liam McHugh and Elliotte Friedman.
Awards
Most awards are voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA), exceptions are noted below.
The awards to be announced are:
Hart Trophy
- Connor McDavid
- David Pastrnak
- Matthew Tkachuk
Vezina Trophy
Voted on by NHL GMs
- Connor Hellebuyck
- Ilya Sorokin
- Linus Ullmark
Norris Trophy
- Adam Fox
- Erik Karlsson
- Cale Makar
Calder Trophy
- Matty Beniers
- Owen Power
- Stuart Skinner
Ted Lindsay Award
Voted on by members of the NHLPA
- Erik Karlsson
- Connor McDavid
- David Pastrnak
Jack Adams Award
Voted on by the NHL Broadcasters' Association
- Dave Hakstol
- Jim Montgomery
- Lindy Ruff
Selke Trophy
- Patrice Bergeron
- Nico Hischier
- Mitch Marner
Lady Byng Trophy
- Jack Hughes
- Anze Kopitar
- Brayden Point
Jim Gregory (GM) Award
Voted on by the NHL GMs and a panel of NHL executives and media – during the playoffs, unlike other awards.
- Jim Nill
- Don Sweeney
- Bill Zito
Bill Masterton
- Clayton Keller
- Kris Letang
- Alex Stalock
King Clancy Trophy
Voted on by some members of the PHWA and the Broadcasters' Association.
- Mikael Backlund
- Anders Lee
- Darnell Nurse
One team is notably absent from all the awards finalists this year – the one team that cares the least about all of this business.
Tuesday is an off-day, also known as trade rumour day, and Wednesday is round one of the draft. Everyone in the NHL is in the party city of Nashville for days on end. What could possibly go wrong?
