In the end, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson not only arguably defied the odds to become an NHL regular in 2024-25, overcoming a perceived lack of roster space. He obviously also went on to win the Calder Memorial Trophy in impressive fashion, to help put an exclamation mark on a stand-out season for the Habs from overall and individual-accolades standpoints.
Related: Likeliest Canadiens to Win NHL Awards in 2024-25
Head coach Martin St. Louis also got named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which ultimately went to Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals as the league’s best bench boss. It should be of little surprise both make this list of the likeliest Canadiens to win NHL awards next season, then… a separate one entirely in Hutson’s case:
5) Cole Caufield (Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy)
Singled out as a potential top-20 winger this season by NHL.com (along with linemate Juraj Slafkovsky), Cole Caufield scored a career-high 37 goals in 2024-25 to rank 13th in the entire league. A Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy win is still probably a longshot, with Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl capturing it as the league’s top goal scorer with 52 last season. Further statistical progression from Caufield isn’t though, as he’s increased his production every year. At the very least, he should give the team its first 40-goal scorer since Vincent Damphousse in 1993-94.
4) Kirby Dach (Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy)
Kirby Dach doesn’t need a great season to receive consideration for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the player who best exemplifies characteristics like perseverance and dedication to the sport… just a complete one. After a second straight season-ending knee injury, you’d have to believe the chances he develops into the second-line centre the Canadiens thought they were acquiring in 2022 have dropped dramatically.
So, it stands to reason, if Dach, who has never played a full season in the NHL, rebounds from a health standpoint and at least quasi-statistically, he’d be a near shoo-in here. To recount his recent struggles, Dach displayed significant potential in 2022-23 after first being acquired by the Canadiens at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He scored 38 points in 58 games in his Age 22 season, getting some reps down the middle with Sean Monahan injured (before succumbing to injury himself). He earned the second-line centre spot out of training camp…
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