NHL awards for 2014-15 season: Sarah McLellan's ballot

Teams are about to start renovating their rosters with the NHL draft and the start of free agency only days away. But before focusing on the future, the league reflected on the 2014-15 season by handing out the NHL Awards Wednesday.

As a member of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, I was tasked with voting on some of the awards. Check out my ballot and all of the winners from the past season.

RELATED: More Coyotes/NHL coverage from Sarah McLellan

Hart Trophy (awarded to the player most valuable to his team)

Winner: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens.

My pick: Price. This was a no-brainer; Price was the pulse of the Canadiens last season – the franchise's best regular-season showing in 26 years. Montreal had the best goals-against average and of their 50 wins, Price posted a league-high 44. His performance between the pipes was unrivaled, and the effect that had on the Canadiens was clear as they slotted second in the Eastern Conference and the entire NHL.

Rest of ballot: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals. Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild. John Tavares, New York Islanders. Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators.

2014-2015 NHL awards:

Norris Trophy (awarded to the defensive player who demonstrates the best all-around ability in the position)

Winner: Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators.

My pick: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings. On a team that boasted the fourth-best goals-against average, Doughty was the anchor. He played a critical shutdown role, averaging the second-most minutes per game in the entire league (28:59, while registering the second-most points (46) in his career. An advanced stats darling, the Kings tallied 410 more shot attempts than they allowed when Doughty was on the ice during 5-on-5 play.

Rest of ballot: P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens. Karlsson. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators.

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Calder Trophy (awarded to the best rookie)

Winner: Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers.

My pick: Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames. Tied for the most points among rookies with 64. Gaudreau led rookie forwards in average ice time (17:43), a sign of his importance in helping the Flames reach the playoffs. And with a rookie-high 40 assists, Gaudreau was relied on as a key cog of the team's offense.

Rest of ballot: Ekblad. Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators. Mike Hoffman, Ottawa Senators.

Lady Byng Trophy (awarded to the player who has exhibited sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a high standard of playing ability)

Winner: Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames

My pick: Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames. The center tied for the team-lead in goals (31) while racking up only 12 penalty minutes. Monahan clearly avoided the sophomore slump, finishing with 62 points. By playing an average of 19:37 a game, he had the opportunity to continually flex his offensive prowess.

Rest of ballot: Hudler. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings.

Selke Trophy (awarded to the best defensive forward)

Winner: Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins.

My pick: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks. A Selke finalist for the fourth time in five years, Toews oozes skill on both sides of the puck. He led Chicago forwards in average ice time (19:33) while ranking fourth in the NHL in faceoff wins (947) and sixth in faceoff win percentage (56.5 percent). The Blackhawks tied for the fewest goals in the NHL and at a career-best plus-30 rating, Toews was a big reason why.

Rest of ballot: Bergeron. David Backes, St. Louis Blues. Kopitar. Datsyuk.

Vezina Trophy (awarded to the league's top goaltender, as voted on by the league's general managers)

Winner: Price.

My pick: Price. Without a doubt the best at the position last season. He paced the NHL in wins (44), goals-against average (1.96) and save percentage (.933) – the first to lead in all categories since Eddie Belfour accomplished the feat in 1990-91. Price also surpassed Montreal's franchise record for wins in a single season (previously set by Jacques Plante), his save percentage was the third-highest in a season since the NHL began tracking the stat in 1976-77 and he tied for second in the NHL with nine shutouts.

Jack Adams Award (awarded to the coach who has contributed most to his team's success, as voted on by the National Hockey League Broadcasters' Association)

Winner: Bob Hartley, Calgary Flames.

My pick: Hartley. The Flames' turnaround last season was impressive, and Hartley deserves credit for helping orchestrate the transformation. Calgary picked up 20 more points than the season before and, as a result, grabbed a playoff berth for the first time since 2009. Hartley's bunch was particularly effective late in games as the Flames tied for first in overtime wins (nine), ranked second in third-period goal differential (plus-31) and sat third in wins when trailing after two periods (10).

Other award winners:

Art Ross Trophy (scoring leader): Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars.

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (top goal scorer): Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals.

King Clancy Memorial Trophy (player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in the community): Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings.

Jennings Trophy (awarded to the goaltender(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it): Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey): Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild.

Ted Lindsay Award (awarded to the league MVP as voted on by the players): Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens.

Mark Messier Leadership Award (awarded to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team on and off the ice): Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks.

NHL Foundation Player Award (awarded to the player who applies the core values of hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork—to enrich the lives of people in his community): Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks.

GM of the Year: Steve Yzerman, Tampa Bay Lightning.

NHL First All-Star team:

Goalie: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens.

Defensemen: Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens.

Center: John Tavares, New York Islanders.

Right wing: Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers.

Left wing: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals.

NHL Second All-Star team:

Goalie: Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild.

Defensemen: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators.

Center: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins.

Right wing: Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues.

Left wing: Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars.

NHL All-Rookie team

Goalie: Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues.

Defensemen: Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars.

Forwards: Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames. Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators.