Trophy Tracker weekly division leaders include Marchand, Crosby

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
Co-leaders: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 19 (three first-place votes); Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins, 19 (two first-place votes)
Runners-up:Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers, 5; Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals, 1; Alex Ovechkin, Capitals, 1
Others receiving points: None
Leader last week: Crosby, 21 (three first-place votes)
Why I picked Crosby:"The Penguins captain reached the 50-point mark for the ninth time in his past 10 seasons and continues to impress even in the absence of teammate Evgeni Malkin. He scores the big goals, and provides the energy and spark needed to bring his team up a level." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
Why I picked Marchand:"The Bruins have looked like a different team since the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline on April 12. Having depth scoring takes the pressure off their top line, including Marchand, and has allowed the forward to continue leading by example and putting pucks in the net."-- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Norris Trophy
Leader: Adam Fox, Rangers, 21 (three first-place votes)
Runners-up:John Carlson, Capitals, 16 (two first-place votes); Kris Letang, Penguins, 6
Others receiving points:Charlie McAvoy, Bruins, 2
Leader last week:Fox, 21 (three first-place votes)
Why I picked Fox: "He is skilled offensively but has demonstrated he's a well-rounded defenseman playing on the Rangers' top pair this season." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer
Vezina Trophy
Leader:Semyon Varlamov, New York Islanders, 21 (three first-place votes)
Runners-up: Igor Shesterkin, Rangers, 10 (one first-place vote); Vitek Vanecek, Capitals, 8
Others receiving points:Tristan Jarry, Penguins, 6 (one first-place vote)
Leader last week:Varlamov, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Varlamov: "Other goalies are jumping up in this race, which is why Varlamov is no longer the unanimous No. 1, but no other goalie in the East has been as steady and consistent as Varlamov this season." -- Rosen
Calder Trophy
Leader: Ty Smith, New Jersey Devils, 21 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up: K'Andre Miller, Rangers (one first-place vote), 10; Vanecek, Capitals, 6; Shesterkin, Rangers, 6
Others receiving points:Oliver Wahlstrom, Islanders, 1; Ilya Sorokin, Islanders, 1
Leader last week:Smith, 23 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Smith: "Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald has reason to be optimistic about the future, especially when he sees how young players like Smith are developing." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
Video: PIT@NJD: Crosby gets a pass and wires home a shot

HONDA WEST DIVISION

Hart Trophy
Leader:Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 21 (three first-place votes)
Runners-up:Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights, 15 (two first-place votes); Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche, 4; Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild, 4
Others receiving points: Marc-Andre Fleury, Golden Knights, 1
Leader last week: MacKinnon, 21 (three first-place votes)
Why I picked MacKinnon: "He is a point machine. Every night he produces. It's so fun to watch." -- Brian Compton, deputy managing editor
Norris Trophy
Leader:Shea Theodore, Golden Knights, 19 (three first-place votes)
Runners-up:Samuel Girard, Avalanche, 7; Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes, 7
Others receiving points: Cale Makar, Avalanche, 6 (one first-place vote); Drew Doughty, Kings, 6 (one first-place vote)
Leader last week:Theodore, 16 (three first-place votes)
Why I picked Theodore: "The West has lots of contenders for the Norris. Theodore still leads defensemen in scoring in the division with 36 points (six goals, 30 assists), and he keeps the puck out of his own end."-- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Vezina Trophy
Leader:Philipp Grubauer, Avalanche, 23 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up: Fleury, Golden Knights, 17 (one first-place vote); Cam Talbot, Wild, 5
Others receiving votes:None
Leader last week:Grubauer, 25 (unanimous No. 1)

Why I picked Grubauer: "Yes, Grubauer is in NHL COVID-19 protocol and is out for at least another week, but the body of work that he's produced this season remains outstanding." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer
Calder Trophy
Leader:Kaprizov, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Kaapo Kahkonen, Wild, 10; Mikey Anderson, Kings, 6
Others receiving points: Zach Whitecloud, Golden Knights, 2; Gabriel Vilardi, Kings, 2
Leader last week:Kaprizov, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Kaprizov:"The race between Kaprizov and Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars for the award given to the rookie of the year in the NHL has become a legitimate one, but there are no bona fide challengers in the West." -- Shawn P. Roarke, director of editorial
Video: COL@MIN: Kaprizov one-times dish for his second PPG

DISCOVER CENTRAL DIVISION

Hart Trophy
Leader: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers, 13; Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, 6
Others receiving points:Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers, 1
Leader last week:Kane, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Kane:"Whether it's from one season to another or one game to another, consistency is the best way to describe Kane's game and production. The Blackhawks forward continues to stay steady at age 32." -- Myers
Norris Trophy
Leader:Hedman, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes, 15; MacKenzie Weegar, Panthers, 2; John Klingberg, Stars, 2
Others receiving points: Miro Heiskanen, Stars, 1
Leader last week:Hedman, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Hedman:"He is still putting up points even while the Lightning have struggled with a bit of inconsistency of late. He'll lead the way when they get back on track."-- Compton
Vezina Trophy
Leader:Andrei Vasilevskiy, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up: Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators, 13; James Reimer, Hurricanes, 3; Chris Driedger, Panthers, 3
Others receiving points:Kevin Lankinen, Blackhawks, 1
Leader last week: Vasilevskiy, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Vasilevskiy:"He is the Vezina favorite in the NHL, not just the Central, by just about every measure."-- Cotsonika
Calder Trophy
Leader:Robertson, Stars, 23 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up:Lankinen, 11 (one first-place vote); Alex Nedeljkovic, Hurricanes, 5
Others receiving points:Ross Colton, Lightning, 4; Eeli Tolvanen, Predators, 1; Pius Suter, Blackhawks, 1
Leader last week:Robertson, 23 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Robertson:"He has been dominant in the second half of the season, doing everything for the Stars as they try to climb their way back among the top four teams in the Central." -- Roarke

SCOTIA NORTH DIVISION

Hart Trophy
Leader: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up: Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 15; Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets, 3
Others receiving points:Mitchell Marner, Maple Leafs, 1; Leon Draisaitl, Oilers, 1
Leader last week: McDavid, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked McDavid: "No arguing this one. It's McDavid. Frankly, he should be running away with it. He's the League-wide leader. He's a highlight machine, must-watch television, and his impact on the game is as great or better than everyone else not only in hockey, but in any of the four major pro sports." -- Rosen
Norris Trophy
Leader:Darnell Nurse, Oilers, 21 (four first-place votes)
Runners-up:Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens, 11 (one first-place vote); Tyson Barrie, Oilers, 7
Others receiving points:Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 4; Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs, 1; Thomas Chabot, Ottawa Senators, 1
Leader last week:Nurse, 21 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Nurse:"The points have slowed of late for Nurse, but he narrowly keeps this spot ahead of Petry for the totality of the season and where he's helped the Oilers reach in the standings." -- Benjamin
Vezina Trophy
Leader: Connor Hellebuyck, Jets, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Runners-up:Mike Smith, Oilers, 12; Thatcher Demko, Canucks, 3; Jack Campbell, Maple Leafs, 3
Others receiving points:Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames, 1
Leader last week:Hellebuyck, 25 (unanimous No. 1)
Why I picked Hellebuyck: "If the Jets have an Achilles' heel, it would be the lack of depth at defenseman. Fortunately, the defending Vezina Trophy winner helps make up for that with his strong play." -- Zeisberger
Calder Trophy
Co-leaders: Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators, 17 (two first-place votes); Josh Norris, Senators, 17 (two first-place votes)
Runners-up:Alexander Romanov, Canadiens, 7 (one first-place vote); Nils Hoglander, Canucks, 4
Others receiving points:None
Leader last week:Stutzle, 23 (four first-place votes)
Why I picked Stutzle: "His vision and ability to make something happen in traffic aren't appreciated enough. Stutzle has been scaling the lineup and showing good chemistry in a middle-six role."-- Morreale
Why I picked Norris:"His consistency as the season has progressed has pushed him slightly ahead of Stutzle in the Calder debate." -- Gulitti