Scheifele gives out his NHL awards in Players Tribune article

Mark Scheifele is keeping busy during the paused NHL season by handing out some awards.

The Winnipeg Jets forward did the honors for a trio of real NHL trophies and a couple he made up on the fly for The Players Tribune on Thursday.

Scheifele sees the Calder Trophy competiton for NHL rookie of the year as a two-horse race between defensemen: Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. Scheifele also mentions Chicago Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalik, but his winner is Hughes.

For the Hart Trophy, given to the NHL MVP, Scheifele writes he knows how good Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are, and acknowledges the seasons of Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak. But he goes off the board and says he would vote for Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel.

For his Vezina Trophy winner as the top goalie, Scheifele makes the easy call and singles out teammate Connor Hellebuyck.

Scheifele opted to pass on picking any other winners and instead made up a pair of his own.

His Favorite Goal of the Year was McDavid's filthy deke against the Toronto Maple Leafs, when he crossed up defenseman Morgan Rielly by appearing to commit to passing and then beat goalie Frederik Andersen high glove side.

Scheifele's second made up award was his Favorite Players to Watch. He states he is a fan of Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, Canucks forward Elias Pettersson and New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, even going as far as saying Barzal is only a few seasons away from leading the NHL in scoring.