The NHL announces the 2025 regular season awards, and Connor Hellebuyck, Nikita Kucherov, and Leon Draisaitl shine.
The National Hockey League capped off its thrilling 2024-25 regular season by unveiling its annual slate of individual awards—and the spotlight couldn’t have shone brighter on three familiar names. Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets emerged as the league’s biggest stars, each walking away with significant hardware that affirmed their dominance during one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
A Season of Storylines
As the league continues to evolve, the 2025 season brought with it a mixture of veteran brilliance and young upstarts looking to leave their mark. But amidst the noise, three players consistently rose above the rest. Draisaitl, already considered one of the league’s most lethal forwards, captured the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player. Kucherov, in a season that saw him reach dizzying offensive heights, claimed the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top point-getter. And Hellebuyck, often underappreciated in years past, silenced critics with a dominant year in net that earned him his second Vezina Trophy.
Together, their success tells the story of the 2024-25 NHL campaign: a year defined by relentless consistency, high-scoring drama, and clutch performances from the league’s elite.
Leon Draisaitl Claims the Hart: MVP Honors for the Oilers’ Engine
For the second time in his career, Leon Draisaitl has been named the NHL’s Most Valuable Player. While some may have assumed that Oilers teammate Connor McDavid, widely regarded as the league’s most electrifying player, would be in the running, it was Draisaitl’s overall impact—especially during key stretches when McDavid was sidelined—that sealed his case.
The German-born center posted an incredible 52 goals and 74 assists, finishing with 126 points—second only to Kucherov. But it wasn’t just the numbers. Draisaitl’s two-way play, leadership, and ability to raise the level of his teammates when it mattered most left little doubt among the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association voters.
“I’ve always prided myself on being consistent and doing what my team needs to win,” Draisaitl said after accepting the award. “But to be recognized like this, especially in a year where the league was stacked with incredible performances, it means the world.”
Perhaps most impressively, Draisaitl thrived even when the Oilers faced adversity. When McDavid missed 13 games due to injury in November and December, Draisaitl shouldered the load, recording 27 points in that span and leading Edmonton on a 9-3-1 run. That stretch may well have been the deciding factor for many voters.
Kucherov’s Scoring Supremacy: A Second Art Ross and More?
Nikita Kucherov entered the 2024-25 season with lofty expectations—and then somehow exceeded all of them. The Tampa Bay Lightning winger torched opposing defenses for a career-high 134 points, winning the Art Ross Trophy for the second time in his career and cementing his status as one of the premier offensive talents of the modern era.
Kucherov’s season included multiple highlight-reel performances, including a six-point night against the Montreal Canadiens in January and a four-goal outing versus the Maple Leafs in late March. But it wasn’t just about flair; Kucherov demonstrated surgical precision on the power play and was a key driver of Tampa Bay’s offensive efficiency, which ranked third in the league.
“He sees the ice like very few players ever have,” said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper. “It’s not just about the points—though those are obviously impressive—it’s about how he controls the tempo and forces teams to adjust to him.”
Kucherov’s production also gave rise to MVP chatter. He was a finalist for the Hart and received strong support, particularly among Eastern Conference writers. In many other seasons, his numbers might have been enough to win it outright.
While he didn’t claim the MVP, Kucherov’s season may go down as one of the most dominant scoring performances of the decade. More importantly, he helped guide Tampa Bay back to the postseason, where the Lightning hope to make another deep run.
Connor Hellebuyck: Vezina Winner and the Jets’ Lifeline
The Vezina Trophy for the NHL’s top goaltender was never really in doubt, thanks to the commanding season posted by Connor Hellebuyck. The Winnipeg Jets netminder was spectacular from start to finish, leading the league in save percentage (.927), shutouts (7), and goals saved above expected (GSAx), while also recording 42 wins—second-most in the NHL.
Hellebuyck’s second Vezina Trophy comes as no surprise to those who watched Winnipeg closely this season. In a Western Conference filled with explosive offenses, Hellebuyck served as the last line of defense and the most important factor in the Jets’ ability to clinch a playoff berth.
“Every night he gives us a chance to win,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry. “There were games where we were outplayed, plain and simple, and Bucky just stood on his head and bailed us out. He’s the backbone of our team.”
A notable stretch came in February when Hellebuyck recorded three shutouts in four games, including a 51-save masterpiece against Colorado. It was during that time that he began to separate himself from other top-tier goalies like Igor Shesterkin, Juuse Saros, and Jake Oettinger.
While goalies are often overlooked in MVP conversations, Hellebuyck did receive down-ballot Hart votes—a reflection of his immense value to Winnipeg’s system. His season will be remembered as one of the finest goaltending campaigns of the last decade.
Other Award Winners: Celebrating the Best Across the League
While Draisaitl, Kucherov, and Hellebuyck grabbed the headlines, the NHL’s regular season awards featured several other standout performances worth celebrating.
Calder Memorial Trophy – Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks)
Celebrini wasted no time living up to the hype in his rookie year. The No. 1 overall pick tallied 64 points in 79 games, becoming a rare bright spot on a rebuilding Sharks squad. His creativity and poise beyond his years give San Jose a franchise cornerstone for the future.
Norris Trophy – Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
Makar returned to the top of the defensive mountain, winning his second Norris Trophy after posting 79 points and playing over 25 minutes per night. His skating, vision, and ability to quarterback the power play were once again unmatched.
Selke Trophy – Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers)
Florida’s captain added a second Selke Trophy to his resume, anchoring one of the NHL’s stingiest penalty kills and drawing the toughest matchups night after night. Barkov’s defensive intelligence and discipline remain world-class.
Jack Adams Award – Rick Bowness (Winnipeg Jets)
The 69-year-old Bowness guided the Jets to a 104-point season, despite modest preseason expectations. His veteran leadership and calm demeanor helped get the best out of a relatively young core.
Lady Byng Trophy – Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings)
Kopitar continues to age gracefully, winning his third Lady Byng for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct while maintaining a high level of play. He had just six penalty minutes all season and still managed 68 points.
The Bigger Picture: What These Awards Say About the NHL’s Direction
The 2025 regular season awards do more than just spotlight individual brilliance—they help illustrate the current shape and future trajectory of the NHL. Draisaitl and Kucherov, both in their early 30s, continue to define what peak performance looks like for forwards. Hellebuyck, long underappreciated in broader conversations, has finally received universal acknowledgment for his contributions.
At the same time, rookies like Celebrini and up-and-coming players such as Luke Hughes, Wyatt Johnston, and Marco Rossi are beginning to force their way into award conversations. The league is transitioning into a fascinating era where generational stars and emerging youth co-exist at a high level.
The awards also reflect shifting dynamics in team strategy. The value of two-way play, goaltending efficiency, and possession-based systems was evident in the voters’ preferences. Gone are the days when pure offensive totals told the whole story.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Legacies and Summer Debates
While the regular season awards are a celebration in their own right, they often serve as the prelude to a much bigger stage. Draisaitl and the Oilers, Kucherov’s Lightning, and Hellebuyck’s Jets now enter the postseason with heightened expectations. Can they carry their form into the playoffs and turn personal accolades into Stanley Cup glory?
For Draisaitl, this year could be his defining moment—especially if he can help lead Edmonton past the Western Conference’s elite. For Kucherov, another deep playoff run would only add to his legacy as one of the greatest Lightning players of all time. And for Hellebuyck, a playoff performance equal to his regular season could elevate him into the pantheon of all-time great goaltenders.
And of course, fans and pundits will debate the award outcomes all summer long. Should Kucherov have taken the Hart? Did Quinn Hughes deserve the Norris? Was Celebrini the true standout rookie? Such discussions are part of what makes NHL fandom so passionate and unrelenting.
Stars Among Us
In a league filled with immense talent and constant evolution, the 2025 NHL regular season awards have provided a snapshot of excellence. Leon Draisaitl’s clutch heroics, Nikita Kucherov’s offensive fireworks, and Connor Hellebuyck’s unbreakable resolve have captivated fans and set a high bar for future seasons.
As the Stanley Cup Playoffs now take center stage, one thing remains certain: the NHL is in good hands—with its biggest stars continuing to write history in real time.
