Breaking down how Rangers fit into race for NHL’s big awards

Sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 35 games left in the regular season, the Rangers are vying for their first legitimate postseason appearance since their second-round exit five years ago. With their stunning success, several Rangers players — and head coach Gerard Gallant — are up for NHL awards. A few are even favorites to win.

Here’s an evaluation of each NHL award, with the help of BetMGM, and predictions on who will win.

Hart Trophy odds

1. Connor McDavid, Oilers 2/1
2. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals +325
3. Leon Draisaitl, Oilers 7/1
4. Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers 8/1
5. Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs 14/1

Rangers history: Four winners — Buddy O’Connor (1947-48), Chuck Rayner (1949-50), Andy Bathgate (1958-59) and Mark Messier (1991-92).

Current Rangers: If you ask any Ranger who the team’s MVP is, they’ll probably say goalie Igor Shesterkin, who BetMGM has at 25/1 odds of winning the award. While Chris Kreider (22/1) has the best odds for the Rangers, Shesterkin has the better case given how many games he stole during the team’s explosive start to the season — and the ones he’ll probably steal in the final stretch.

Prediction: Matthews

In addition to his scoring prowess, Matthews plays a 200-foot game that features one of the better defensive values in the league. He has only gone nine games out of 40 without a point, is currently on an absurd goal-scoring pace and is one of the more effective players at five-on-five. Plus, Matthews is far and away the top Toronto player up for the award, which strengthens his case as the most valuable to his team.

Vezina Trophy odds

1. Igor Shesterkin, Rangers 2/1
2. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning 13/2
3. Jack Campbell, Maple Leafs 8/1
4. Juuse Saros, Predators 12/1
5. Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes 12/1

Rangers history: Two winners — John Vanbiesbrouck (1985-86) and Henrik Lundqvist (2011-12).

Current Rangers: There’s no question that Shesterkin is running away with the top goaltender award. Barring injury or a major drop-off from the Rangers, Shesterkin should easily snag his first Vezina Trophy in just his third NHL season. Shesterkin’s .937 save percentage leads all goalies with at least 20 starts, while his 2.10 goals-against average is good for second behind the Hurricanes’ Andersen.

Prediction: Shesterkin

If he can stay healthy, maintain his level of play and help the Rangers secure a playoff berth, Shesterkin will be difficult to surpass. The 26-year-old is on the radar of all 32 general managers, who vote for the award.

Norris Trophy odds

1. Cale Makar, Avalanche +130
2. Adam Fox, Rangers 9/2
3. Victor Hedman, Lightning 9/2
4. Roman Josi, Predators 11/1
5. Aaron Ekblad, Panthers 14/1

Rangers history: Four winners — Doug Harvey (1961-62), Harry Howell (1966-67), Brian Leetch twice (1991-92 and 1996-97) and Adam Fox (2020-21).

Current Rangers: As the reigning Norris Trophy winner, Fox had a big season to follow up after recording 47 points in 2020-21. Well, he’s already matched that total with seven goals and 40 assists in just 44 games so far this season. Fox has somehow only become more integral to the Rangers’ success. If it weren’t for his counterpart in Colorado, he could go back-to-back.

Prediction: Makar

The Norris Trophy is Makar’s to lose. Unless he gets hurt and misses substantial time, Makar has been the headlining defenseman of the season and should be a lock for the award. His 18 goals currently lead all NHL defensemen and his 44 points rank third. Makar makes an impact on both ends of the ice, but his uptick in offense has been impossible to ignore this season.

Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy odds

1. Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs +250
2. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals +250
3. Leon Draisaitl, Oilers +325
4. Chris Kreider, Rangers +750
5. Connor McDavid, Oilers 14/1

Rangers history: No Ranger has finished as the NHL’s leading goal scorer since the inception of the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.

Current Rangers: It is yet to be seen if Kreider’s scoring pace is sustainable, but the longest tenured Ranger went into the All-Star break as the NHL’s top scorer with 33 goals. Kreider has simply not slowed down, but given who he is up against, there’s a good chance he’s surpassed eventually.

Prediction: Matthews

Owning an absurd 0.78 goals per game average over 40 contests, Matthews has been an offensive machine for Toronto. He is second in goals with 31 behind Draisaitl and Kreider.

Jack Adams odds

1. Mike Sullivan, Penguins 7/1
2. Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes 8/1
3. Gerard Gallant, Rangers 9/1
4. Jon Cooper, Lightning 11/1
5. John Hynes, Predators 11/1

Rangers history: No winners, but five runners-up — Fred Shero (1978-79) Roger Neilson (1989-90 and 1991-92), Tom Renney (2005-06), John Tortorella (2011-12) and Alain Vigneault (2014-15).

Current Rangers: Gallant

There is a strong case to be made for Gallant to be coach of the year. The award is given to the coach who has contributed the most to his team’s success, and the way Gallant has influenced the temperament of the Rangers is a major reason why they’ve had the season that they’ve had. Gallant’s coaching style has completely transformed the Rangers’ mentality and it’s come through emphatically on the ice.

Prediction: Brind’Amour

Jacques Demers is the only coach to win the award in consecutive seasons, in 1986-87 and 1987-88 with the Red Wings. Considering how competitive the Hurricanes have become under Brind’Amour, as the organization guns for its fourth straight playoff berth, the Carolina coach could join Demers on that list very soon.