Trophy Tracker weekly division leaders include Backstrom, Doughty

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:Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals, 19 (two first-place votes)
Runners-up: Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins, 18 (three first-place votes); James van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia Flyers, 3; David Pastrnak, Bruins, 3
Others receiving points: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 1; Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders, 1
Leader last week: Marchand, 20 points (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Backstrom:"Backstrom has been the Capitals' most complete player this season, leading them with 10 goals, 17 assists and 27 points, and carried the load while they've dealt with injuries and having players miss time in the NHL COVID-19 protocol." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer
Norris Trophy
Leader: Charlie McAvoy, Bruins, 23 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up:John Carlson, Capitals, 10 (one first-place vote); Adam Fox, New York Rangers, 7
Others receiving points: Ivan Provorov, Flyers, 3; Kris Letang, Penguins, 2
Leader last week: McAvoy, 23 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked McAvoy:"The Bruins are battered on defense, missing Kevan Miller, Jeremy Lauzon and Brandon Carlo, plus Matt Grzelcyk for much of the season, and still they're managing to hold their own (2.41 goals against per game). A lot of the credit goes to McAvoy." -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Vezina Trophy
Leader: Semyon Varlamov, New York Islanders, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Tuukka Rask, Bruins, 13; Igor Shesterkin, Rangers, 5
Others receiving points:Mackenzie Blackwood, New Jersey Devils, 2
Leader last week:Varlamov, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Varlamov:"There have been goaltending issues throughout the East but not on Long Island. Not only has Varlamov been the top goalie in this division, he's been one of the best in the entire NHL." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
Calder Trophy
Leader: Ty Smith, Devils, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:K'Andre Miller, Rangers, 7; Shesterkin, 6
Others receiving points:Vitek Vanecek, Capitals, 5; Oliver Wahlstrom, Islanders, 1;
Pierre-Olivier Joseph
, Penguins, 1
Leader last week:Smith, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Smith:"The Devils have struggled of late, but Smith leads NHL rookie defenseman with nine assists and 11 points while playing a top-pair role with Damon Severson. He's a fabulous skater, quarterbacks the top power-play unit and is committed to shutting down opposing offenses. He's also plus-3 while averaging 19:26 a game." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

HONDA WEST DIVISION
Hart Trophy
Leader: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, 23 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up:Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights, 11 (one first-place vote); Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche, 3; Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis Blues, 3
Others receiving points: David Perron, Blues, 2; Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche, 1; Mark Stone, Golden Knights, 1; Cale Makar, Avalanche, 1
Leader last week:Kopitar, 21 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Kopitar:"Kopitar is coming off another week of strong play. He shows no signs of slowing down in this resurgent season." -- Tim Campbell, staff writer
Norris Trophy
Leader:Drew Doughty, Kings, 23 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up:Makar, 6 (one first-place vote); Alex Pietrangelo, Golden Knights, 6; Shea Theodore, Golden Knights, 6
Others receiving points:Samuel Girard, Avalanche, 1; Torey Krug, Blues, 1; Justin Faulk, Blues, 1; Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes, 1
Leader last week: Makar, 21 (three first-place votes)
Why I picked Doughty:"Doughty belongs back in the Norris conversation, logging lots of ice time (26:31, second in NHL) and putting up points (21). He's of the reasons Los Angeles is back in Stanley Cup Playoff contention, two points behind the fourth-place Avalanche in the West." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Vezina Trophy
Leader: Fleury, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Philipp Grubauer, Avalanche, 13; Cal Petersen, Kings, 4
Others receiving votes:Kaapo Kahkonen, Minnesota Wild, 2; Darcy Kuemper, Coyotes, 1
Leader last week:Fleury, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Fleury: "Fleury didn't expect to be the No. 1, believing at best he would be in a platoon with Robin Lehner. But an injury to Lehner has left Fleury as the go-to guy and he has responded with some of the best hockey of his career, which is quite impressive when you consider his resume." -- Shawn P. Roarke, director of editorial
Calder Trophy
Leader:Kirill Kaprizov, Wild, 25 points (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up: Gabriel Vilardi, Kings, 8; Kahkonen, 6
Others receiving points: Mikey Anderson, Kings, 4; Zach Whitecloud, Golden Knights, 2
Leader last week:Kaprizov, 25 points (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Kaprizov: "I probably shouldn't say we should just hand this trophy to Kaprizov now, but at the rate he's going, it's going to be hard to see him not winning it on an NHL-wide level. Cool, calm and collected, Kaprizov is all of them." -- 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, 12; Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers, 6
Others receiving points: Alex DeBrincat, Blackhawks, 1; Vincent Trocheck, Hurricanes, 1
Leader last week:Kane, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Kane: "It's hard to find a player more valuable to his team than Kane, the catalyst for the Blackhawks who is scoring at a higher rate (1.46 points per game in 26 games) than he did when he won the Art Ross and Hart (1.29) in 2015-16." -- Cotsonika
Norris Trophy
Leader:Hedman, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Aaron Ekblad, Panthers, 13; Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes, 5
Others receiving points: Jaccob Slavin, Hurricanes, 1; John Klingberg, Dallas Stars, 1
Leader last week:Hedman, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Hedman: "You expect Victor Hedman to be among the scoring leaders among NHL defensemen; his 24 points and 1.04 points per game each rank first at the position. He also leads the Lightning in scoring. There isn't anything he can't do." -- Brian Compton, deputy managing editor
Vezina Trophy
Leader:Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Kevin Lankinen, Blackhawks, 13; Chris Driedger, Panthers, 6
Others receiving points: James Reimer, Hurricanes, 1
Leader last week:Vasilevskiy, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Vasilevskiy:"The Lightning rarely need Vasilevskiy, but when they have, he's been brilliant. He allowed three goals Sunday, but then slammed the door on the Blackhawks to help Tampa Bay rally for a win." -- Roarke
Calder Trophy
Leader:Pius Suter, Blackhawks, 19 (two first-place votes)
Runners-up:Lankinen, 16 (three first-place votes); Philipp Kurashev, Blackhawks, 7
Others receiving points:Eetu Luostarinen, Panthers, 2;
Jake Bean
, Hurricanes, 1
Leader last week:Lankinen, 21 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Suter:"Suter and Kurashev each scored against Tampa Bay on Sunday, but the edge goes to Suter, who's scored 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 26 games. And for me, Luostarinen is starting to work his way into the conversation." -- Myers

SCOTIA NORTH DIVISION
Hart Trophy
Leader: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 13; Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs, 4
Others receiving points: Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets, 2; Leon Draisaitl, Oilers, 1
Leader last week: McDavid, 23 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked McDavid: "McDavid went three consecutive games without a point last week, all against the Toronto Maple Leafs. So how did he respond? By scoring the winner late in Edmonton's 3-2 victory against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. Great players find ways to bounce back in key moments after struggling, and McDavid certainly did that." -- Zeisberger
Norris Trophy
Leader:Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens, 16 (three first-place votes)
Runners-up: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 10 (one first-place vote); Darnell Nurse, Oilers, 9
Others receiving points: Shea Weber, Canadiens, 5 (one first-place vote); Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs, 5
Leader last week (tie):Hughes, 11 (two first-place votes); Nurse, 11 (one first-place vote)
Why I picked Petry:"Petry continues to produce offensively while remaining steady defensively for the Canadiens." -- Gulitti
Vezina Trophy
Leader:Connor Hellebuyck, Jets, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Frederik Andersen, Maple Leafs, 12; Mike Smith, Oilers, 4
Others receiving points:Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames, 3; Thatcher Demko, Canucks, 1
Leader last week:Hellebuyck, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Hellebuyck: "The steadiest of North Division goalies this season." -- Campbell
Calder Trophy
Leader:
Tim Stutzle
, Senators, 19 points (three first-place votes)
Runners-up:Josh Norris, Senators, 10 (one first-place vote); Nils Hoglander, Canucks, 7
Others receiving points:Juuso Valimaki, Flames, 5 (one first-place vote); Alexander Romanov, Canadiens, 4
Leader last week:Stutzle, 16 points (three first-place votes)
Why I picked Stutzle: "He continues to impress with his energy and enthusiasm each shift. He's top five among division rookies in several categories and proving to be an effective two-way player. Stutzle's 13 takeaways are tied for fourth among NHL rookies with Suter and Blackhawks forward Brandon Hagel." -- Morreale