Leon Draisaitl, Nikita Kucherov and Connor Hellebuyck shine as NHL reveals 2025 regular season awards

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Leon Draisaitl takes home the first Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy with 52 goals
• Nikita Kucherov claims Art Ross Trophy for third year in a row with 121 points
• Connor Hellebuyck claims William M. Jennings Trophy as Winnipeg Jets lead on defense

Edmonton Oilers left winger Leon Draisaitl, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, and Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck were three of the most fantastic stars to be recognized as the National Hockey League formally closed its 2024-25 regular season with its customary issue awards announcement. The awards recognize scoring, playmaking, and goaltending—the three fundamental elements of the sport, and all three excelled in their respective categories.

Leon Draisaitl finally records Rocket Richard after two decades of great goal-scoring


Leon Draisaitl topped the league's leader in scoring, taking the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy, while Nikita Kucherov took his third Art Ross Trophy for the most points in a season. Connor Hellebuyck topped the list for Winnipeg's shutdown defense, taking his second career William M. Jennings Trophy.

Following a series of close calls at the start of the season, Edmonton Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl has finally claimed the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy, which is presented each year to the NHL's top goal scorer. Leon Draisaitl tallied 52 goals in 71 games this season, one above Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander's 45.

It is his inaugural season as league top scorer, although he had earlier scored more goals. He scored 55 goals in the 2021-22 season and 52 once again in the 2022-23 season, but in both seasons, he was behind teammates such as Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews.

Nikita Kucherov edges Nathan MacKinnon in tight Art Ross race

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov once again proved why he's one of the NHL's best playmakers. The 31-year-old captured his third Art Ross Trophy, outpacing Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon in a points war that dragged on all season long. Kucherov finished with 121 points—five more than MacKinnon's 116—and sealed the award by recording five points over his final three contests. His point-per-game performance included points in 65 of 78 contests and three or more points in 17 games, an NHL record.

This feat puts Kucherov into a rare group of just 10 players to have multiple Art Ross Trophies, as the trophy started being manufactured during the 1947-48 campaign.

Connor Hellebuyck's brick wall campaign earns him a second Jennings Trophy

Behind the scenes, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck added another enormous asterisk to his resume. The 31-year-old won the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals this season among goaltenders who qualified for the honor.

Hellebuyck, who made 63 starts, was 47-12-3 with a 2.00 goals-against average, .925 save percentage, and eight shutouts. It backed up a Jets defense that allowed 190 goals, the fewest in the NHL.

Also read: Cup dreams, cracks beneath: Exposing the flaws of NHL's top contenders

With the regular season now on the books and playoff pressure mounting, the 2025 NHL awards took us for a ride of what an NHL postseason full of superstar juice, momentum, and Stanley Cup desperation is going to be like. From Leon Draisaitl's goal-scoring masterclass, Nikita Kucherov's playmaking sorcery, and Connor Hellebuyck's rock-hard reliability in the crease, the award winners here this season have excelled at an elite level in each category.