Predicting 2021-22 award winners, Stanley Cup champion

Heading into the 2021-22 regular season, theScore's Kayla Douglas, Mike Dickson, Josh Gold-Smith, Brandon Maron, John Matisz, Sean O'Leary, and Josh Wegman make their picks for the division champions, major award winners, and Stanley Cup Final.

Atlantic Division Scott Audette / National Hockey League / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Lightning
Dickson	Lightning
Gold-Smith	Lightning
Maron	Lightning
Matisz	Panthers
O'Leary	Lightning
Wegman	Maple Leafs

A return to the heavyweight Atlantic Division won't slow the Tampa Bay Lightning's roll. The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions lost the heart of their offensive depth with Yanni Gourde, Barclay Goodrow, and Blake Coleman all moving on, but they still have much of the star power and defensive corps (not to mention the insurmountable Andrei Vasilevskiy) that make them truly elite. This time, they'll have to battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers - the latter being their 2020-21 Central Division foes - for the top spot.

Metropolitan Division Rich Graessle / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Islanders
Dickson	Capitals
Gold-Smith	Islanders
Maron	Islanders
Matisz	Hurricanes
O'Leary	Islanders
Wegman	Rangers

There isn't a ton of clarity when it comes to the Metropolitan Division. The New York Islanders are always ready to battle for the No. 1 spot, and the aging Washington Capitals can usually be counted on to make some noise, but some wild cards are waiting in the weeds. The Carolina Hurricanes took a bit of a step back after losing Dougie Hamilton and netminder Alex Nedeljkovic, but they're typically able to force their way into the conversation. Meanwhile, many eyes will be on the New York Rangers as a squad that can surprise this year.

Central Division Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Avalanche
Dickson	Avalanche
Gold-Smith	Avalanche
Maron	Jets
Matisz	Avalanche
O'Leary	Avalanche
Wegman	Avalanche

The reigning Presidents' Trophy winners look primed to take over the Central Division. The only pushback the Colorado Avalanche may receive for the top seat is from the Winnipeg Jets, who made a ton of progress in repairing their fractured blue line this offseason with the additions of Brenden Dillon and Nate Schmidt. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg's 2020 Vezina-winning goaltender, finally has some help in front of him after a tumultuous couple of seasons.

Pacific Division Michael Martin / National Hockey League / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Golden Knights
Dickson	Golden Knights
Gold-Smith	Golden Knights
Maron	Golden Knights
Matisz	Golden Knights
O'Leary	Golden Knights
Wegman	Golden Knights

It's unanimous: The Vegas Golden Knights are going to absolutely run the table in the Pacific Division. Of course, anything can happen, but Vegas will be able to beat up on a weak trio of California teams all season long.

'Rocket' Richard Trophy Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Auston Matthews
Dickson	David Pastrnak
Gold-Smith	Auston Matthews
Maron	David Pastrnak
Matisz	Auston Matthews
O'Leary	Mikko Rantanen
Wegman	Auston Matthews

Matthews barely has the edge from our voters to repeat as the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner. The Toronto superstar put up 41 goals in 52 games during the shortened campaign. He then underwent offseason wrist surgery to fix an issue that plagued him throughout the year, so there's no telling what a completely healthy Matthews can do.

Pastrnak, who had 20 goals in 48 contests last season, is also primed to re-enter the conversation after shooting at 11.4% in 2020-21, far below his career average of 14.3%. Rantanen, meanwhile, is a dark-horse pick after exploding for 30 tallies in 52 games last season, just one shy of his career-high 31 goals in 74 contests in 2018-19. If he can keep it up, the league better look out.

Art Ross Trophy Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Connor McDavid
Dickson	Nathan MacKinnon
Gold-Smith	Connor McDavid
Maron	Connor McDavid
Matisz	Connor McDavid
O'Leary	Connor McDavid
Wegman	Connor McDavid

It certainly appears McDavid will take home the Art Ross Trophy for the second straight year. He had a monstrous 2020-21 campaign, during which he eclipsed 100 points in just 56 games, and there's really no reason his dominance can't continue in a lacking Pacific Division. However, it wouldn't be wise to count out MacKinnon, who's produced at a 1.35 point-per-game pace the past two seasons.

Calder Trophy Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Marco Rossi
Dickson	Cole Caufield
Gold-Smith	Cole Caufield
Maron	Marco Rossi
Matisz	Trevor Zegras
O'Leary	Trevor Zegras
Wegman	Spencer Knight

The Calder Trophy race is gearing up to be a good one, as three players are tied with two votes each. Minnesota Wild prospect Rossi is the easiest to root for after developing a serious heart condition due to COVID-19. When combining regular-season and playoff games, Caufield has the most NHL experience of the trio with 30 contests under his belt. The Montreal Canadiens youngster clearly learned a thing or two in the playoffs, as he put up 12 points in 20 games.

Zegras seems set to thrive with the Anaheim Ducks in the near future. He proved his worth at the 2021 World Juniors by putting up 18 points in seven games to help lift the U.S. to a gold medal. The 20-year-old was recently honored with the Bob Johnson Award for his international dominance. Meanwhile, Knight can rule the crease for a talented Panthers team while learning from veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.

Vezina Trophy Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Andrei Vasilevskiy
Dickson	Robin Lehner
Gold-Smith	Andrei Vasilevskiy
Maron	Connor Hellebuyck
Matisz	Connor Hellebuyck
O'Leary	Connor Hellebuyck
Wegman	Andrei Vasilevskiy

Somehow, Vasilevskiy and Hellebuyck have each won only one Vezina Trophy. The former has been a brick wall en route to the Lightning's two Stanley Cup wins, and the latter continues to put up sparkling numbers while being one of the league's busiest netminders. Lehner also looks primed to step up for the Golden Knights in Marc-Andre Fleury's absence.

Norris Trophy Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Cale Makar
Dickson	Victor Hedman
Gold-Smith	Cale Makar
Maron	Aaron Ekblad
Matisz	Shea Theodore
O'Leary	Cale Makar
Wegman	Cale Makar

It's hard to believe Makar is entering just his third full NHL season given the poise he shows. Though the Avalanche star is the most popular pick among our voters, that doesn't mean the field for the Norris Trophy isn't crowded. Hedman is also vying for the honor after already winning once and being named a finalist five years in a row. Theodore and Ekblad, who've never been nominated, may also finally get the recognition and respect they deserve.

Hart Trophy Darcy Finley / National Hockey League / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Artemi Panarin
Dickson	Nathan MacKinnon
Gold-Smith	Connor McDavid
Maron	Connor McDavid
Matisz	Connor McDavid
O'Leary	Connor McDavid
Wegman	Connor McDavid

McDavid's trophy case is probably going to get fuller after this season, as our voters predict the best player in the league will be named the Hart Trophy winner in back-to-back years. However, MacKinnon is sick of falling short year after year, and if anyone can get his team over the hump, it's him. Meanwhile, Panarin led the Rangers in points for the past two seasons, and with a new bench boss in Gerard Gallant, he may just be able to take the Big Apple to greater heights.

Stanley Cup Final Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Editor	Pick
Douglas	Avalanche over Lightning
Dickson	Avalanche over Islanders
Gold-Smith	Avalanche over Lightning
Maron	Golden Knights over Panthers
Matisz	Avalanche over Lightning
O'Leary	Islanders over Avalanche
Wegman	Avalanche over Lightning

Our voters don't see a three-peat in the Lightning's future. The Avalanche look set to finally get past the second round after four straight seasons of premature exits, but the defensively sound Islanders can give them a run for their money. The Golden Knights have a clear path to the top of the Pacific Division, but it remains to be seen if that'll translate to playoff success. Under head coach Joel Quenneville's direction, the Panthers can also stun the league with their talented roster - after the Canadiens' surprise run to the Stanley Cup Final last year, anything is possible.

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