It’s going to be an interesting year for the NHL Awards. For the first time ever, the Professional Hockey Writers Association will be unveiling member ballots—and it’s happening in a season where many of the awards lack a clear frontrunner.



But that won’t happen until after the awards are announced, and the decisions are being made now. As I am not a member of the PHWA, I don’t have any sway over the outcome. However, that also means I don’t have to wait until awards night to break down how I see the races. So: who has earned hardware this year?



Lady Byng Memorial Trophy



About the award: Theoretically, the Byng goes to “the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” As a practical matter, these days it goes to the forward who best combines a) lots of points and b) few penalty minutes.



This is one of those...