Trophy Tracker weekly division leaders include Kopitar, Lankinen

NHL.com will be running weekly installments of the Trophy Tracker series this season, looking at leaders for the Hart (MVP), Norris (top defenseman), Vezina (top goalie) and Calder (top rookie) trophies. Though there can be only one winner for each award at the end of the season, five NHL.com writers per division will be ranking their top three for each award.
Here are the voting totals (points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis):

MASSMUTUAL EAST DIVISION

Hart Trophy
Leader:Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins, 18 points (three first-place votes)
Runners-up:Patrice Bergeron, Bruins, 10 (one first-place vote); Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals, 8
Others receiving points: David Pastrnak, Bruins, 5; James van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia Flyers, 3; Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers, 1
Leader last week:Marchand, 18 (three first-place votes)
Why I picked Marchand:"On the first goal of the Honda NHL Outdoors Sunday, Marchand demonstrated yet another reason why he should be the Hart Trophy winner from the East Division with a beautiful pass to David Pastrnak for the goal, even though he told his teammates after the game he couldn't see anything. He's scored 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 16 games." -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Norris Trophy
Leader:Charlie McAvoy, Bruins, 25 points (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:John Carlson, Capitals, 9; Ivan Provorov, Flyers, 6

Others receiving points:Adam Fox, New York Rangers, 4; Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils, 1
Leader last week: McAvoy, 21 (three first-place votes)
Why I picked McAvoy:"McAvoy is the anchor of the Bruins defense, averaging a team-high 24:22 of ice time. He's scored 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 16 games." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer
Vezina Trophy
Leader:Semyon Varlamov, New York Islanders, 23 points
Runners-up: Tuukka Rask, Bruins, 10; Mackenzie Blackwood, Devils, 9
Others receiving points: Carter Hart, Flyers, 1; Igor Shesterkin, Rangers, 1; Jaroslav Halak, Bruins, 1
Leader last week:Varlamov, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Varlamov:"Varlamov has given the Islanders the best chance to win any game. His statistics are one thing, but he's made the big save at critical times and is proving to be a vital part of the improving goalie tandem in New York with rookie Ilya Sorokin. He is tied for the NHL lead in shutouts (three) and has a .930 save percentage at even strength in 14 games." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
Calder Trophy
Leader:Ty Smith, Devils, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:K'Andre Miller, Rangers, 11; Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Pittsburgh Penguins, 9
Others receiving points: None
Leader last week:Smith, 19 (three first-place votes)
Why I picked Smith:"Smith is averaging 18:38 per game and has earned coach Lindy Ruff's trust." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

HONDA WEST DIVISION

Hart Trophy
Leader:Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, 19 (three first-place votes)
Runners-up: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 12 (one first-place vote); Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights, 9 (one first-place vote)
Others receiving points:Mark Stone, Golden Knights, 4; Cale Makar, Avalanche, 1
Leader last week: Stone, 23 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Kopitar: "Kopitar had a seven-game point streak (nine points; three goals, six assists) that ended Monday, underscoring his superb start." -- Tim Campbell, staff writer
Norris Trophy
Leader: Makar, Avalanche, 23 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up:Drew Doughty, Kings, 12 (one first-place vote); Shea Theodore, Golden Knights, 7
Others receiving points:Alex Pietrangelo, Golden Knights, 1; Torey Krug, St. Louis Blues, 1; Justin Faulk, Blues, 1
Leader last week: Makar, 23 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Makar:"Cale Makar is an ankle breaker. He's capable of things we normally don't see from a defenseman. He's beyond special." -- Brian Compton, deputy managing editor
Vezina Trophy
Leader: Philipp Grubauer, Avalanche, 21 (three first-place votes)
Runners-up:Fleury, Golden Knights, 19 (two first-place votes); John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks, 4
Others receiving votes:Jordan Binnington, Blues, 1
Leader last week: Fleury, Golden Knights, 17 (two first-place votes)
Why I picked Grubauer:"Grubauer allowed three goals to Vegas on Monday, the most he's given up in a game since he allowed three against the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 26. He's been a rock for the Avalanche, who will win a lot if they only have to score three a night." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer
Calder Trophy
Leader: Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild, 25 points (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Zach Whitecloud, Golden Knights, 8; Gabriel Vilardi, Kings, 7
Others receiving points: Kaapo Kahkonen, Wild, 3; Mikey Anderson, Kings, 2
Leader last week:Kaprizov, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Kaprizov: "The 23-year-old has looked poised and confident and is making a major impact for the Wild." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

DISCOVER CENTRAL DIVISION

Hart Trophy
Leader: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, 7; Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers, 4
Others receiving points:Joe Pavelski, Dallas Stars, 3; Aleksander Barkov, Panthers, 3; Brayden Point, Lightning, 1; Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 1; Chris Driedger, Panthers, 1
Leader last week:Kane, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Kane: "He's the heartbeat of the Blackhawks who drives their offense with 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 18 games. He's the biggest reason why they've been a surprising success story in the first half of the season by refusing to let a rebuilding team be a losing team." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer
Norris Trophy
Leader: Hedman, Lightning, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up: John Klingberg, Stars, 9; Aaron Ekblad, Panthers, 7
Others receiving points: Mikhail Sergachev, Lightning, 2; Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes, 1; Dougie Hamilton, Hurricanes, 1
Leader last week: Hedman, 25 (unanimous)
Why I picked Hedman:"Hedman continues to be a horse on the blue line for Tampa Bay." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Vezina Trophy
Leader: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Kevin Lankinen, Blackhawks, 15; Chris Driedger, Panthers, 5
Others receiving points:None
Leader last week:Vasilevskiy, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Vasilevskiy:"The Hurricanes got to Vasilevskiy on Saturday, but to me he's still head and shoulders above the rest. Vasilevskiy rebounded with 34 saves in a 4-2 win against Carolina on Monday." -- Brian Compton, deputy managing editor
Calder Trophy Leader:Lankinen, Blackhawks, 21 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up:Pius Suter, Blackhawks, 15; Philipp Kurashev, Blackhawks, 8 (one first-place vote)
Others receiving points:Eetu Luostarinen, Panthers, 1
Leader last week: Lankinen, 21 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Lankinen: "To make Kane's offensive production matter, the Blackhawks needed a goalie to make a difference on the other end. Lankinen has delivered for a feisty team that continues to stay in the playoff race in the Central Division even when most people are wondering when they'll drop out. He might not let them." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

SCOTIA NORTH DIVISION

Hart Trophy
Leader: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 13; Leon Draisaitl, Oilers, 5
Others receiving points:Mitchell Marner, Maple Leafs, 1; Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets, 1
Leader last week: McDavid, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked McDavid:"How can you not think of him as a one-man wrecking crew, even though it's a team game?" -- Tim Campbell, staff writer
Norris Trophy
Leader: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 13 (two first-place votes)

Runners-up:Darnell Nurse, Oilers, 11 (one first-place vote): Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens, 10 (one first-place vote)
Others receiving points:Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs, 6; Shea Weber, Canadiens, 5 (one first-place vote)
Leader last week: Petry, 21 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Hughes: "Vancouver has struggled but there's been no slump for Hughes, who continues to ascend after he was runner-up for the Calder last season." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
Vezina Trophy
Leader:Frederik Andersen, Maple Leafs, 16 (three first-place votes)
Runners-up:Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames, 15; Connor Hellebuyck, Jets, 13 (two first-place votes)
Others receiving points:Carey Price, Canadiens, 1
Leader last week:Markstrom, 17 (one first-place vote)
Why I picked Andersen: "On a club regarded for the number of offensive stars in the lineup, Anderson is too good to ignore. He leads NHL goalies in games played (16), minutes played (957:30) and wins (11). He's third in the division with a .922 save percentage at even strength among goalies who have started at least five games." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
Calder Trophy
Leader:Tim Stutzle, Senators, 19 points (three first-place votes)
Runners-up:Nils Hoglander, Canucks, 9; Alexander Romanov, Canadiens, 6 (one first-place vote); Juuso Valimaki, Flames, 6 (one first-place vote)
Others receiving points: Josh Norris, Senators, 5
Leader last week:Stutzle, 16 (two first-place votes)
Why I picked Stutzle: "Stutzle scored three points last week (one goal, two assists) and continues to demonstrate the sparkling offensive skills that led the Senators to select him with the No. 3 in the 2020 NHL Draft. He's still my pick in the top spot."-- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer