NHL 2022-23 awards predictions: McDavid vs. Makar for Hart? Plus the massive Patrick Kane commerce query

Can Auston Matthews prime Connor McDavid for the Hart Trophy for a second straight season? Or is Cale Makar the true risk to McDavid’s best-in-game standing? Who’re the early favorites for what seem like tight contests for the Vezina and Calder trophies? And which crew will win the Patrick Kane sweepstakes?

The 2022-23 NHL season is upon us, and which means it’s time for The Athletic to ask its employees for his or her predictions. We’ll have crew picks — just like the Stanley Cup winner and the total playoff subject — on Monday. For now, we begin with all the main awards, plus the Kane query that might be hanging over the league till the Blackhawks star is dealt.

To select aside the outcomes of our polling, present context and provides us a wholesome critique, we’ve introduced in senior nationwide author Sean Gentille, analytics guru Shayna Goldman and NHL betting skilled Jesse Granger.

Hart Trophy

Given to the participant judged to be essentially the most beneficial to his crew. Voted on by the Skilled Hockey Writers Affiliation (PHWA).

Gentille: This feels about proper, given how final season performed out, yeah? I’m not attempting to knock Matthews — he was spectacular and deserved the votes he bought — however voters get uninterested in voting for a similar man. It’s human nature. We see it within the NBA on a regular basis.