Norris Trophy (best defenseman)

Sergei Zubov's uncanny passing and veteran leadership for the resurgent Stars make him a strong Norris contender. Don Smith/Getty Images

MAILBAG Submit a comment or question for Allan. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

The easy thing to do would be to cede this one to the defending champ. Nicklas Lidstrom still has the big numbers (20 points, +14), but it's the ageless reliability of his game that ranks him among the early favorites.

Brian Rafalski is bound to be overlooked as Lidstrom's second banana, but he deserves serious consideration. He's eating up big minutes and displaying an offensive side that was muted in New Jersey. Chris Pronger has elevated his game after a slow start and amped up the nasty, physical edge that makes him such an imposing presence in his own zone.

The edge: Sergei Zubov. As good as those other three have been, give the nod to Zubov who is playing his best hockey in years. The Dallas blueliner is the league's ultimate weapon in transition, effortlessly offering up the trap-busting passes that other defenders wouldn't conceive, let alone dare attempt. Some might be put off by the absence of a physical game, but positioning and experience make Zubov an elite presence in his own zone as well.

Calder Trophy (rookie of the year)

He may be mired in a four-game scoring drought, but 19-year-old Patrick Kane is putting some distance on the competition. He's been Chicago's best player almost from the moment he put on the uniform, giving the 'Hawks the elite offensive centerpiece they've lacked since losing Jeremy Roenick. The return of veteran Martin Havlat should only enhance Kane's effectiveness, along with that of running mate Jonathan Toews. The duo hold down the top spots in the rookie scoring race, and together they've rejuvenated the hopes of the franchise.

Although he's unlikely to put up the numbers he'd need to out-poll Kane, Atlanta defender Tobias Enstrom is making just as significant an impact. He leads rookies and the Thrashers in time on ice, a workload he's earned by playing virtually mistake-free hockey. As his confidence grows, his offensive game is becoming more prominent. He might make a race of this yet.

On the fringes: Andrew Cogliano and Sam Gagner of the Oilers; David Perron of the Blues; Montreal stopper Carey Price, who could challenge the leaders if he assumes a larger chunk of playing time by the All-Star break.

Selke Trophy (best two-way forward)

Brind'Amour and Alfredsson earn their MVP acclaim by being as reliable on the defensive end as they are on the attack. Sami Pahlsson of the Ducks and the Senators' Mike Fisher -- a defensive specialist who demonstrated his offensive flair while replacing the injured Jason Spezza on Ottawa's top unit -- also deserve consideration.

The edge: Henrik Zetterberg. The engine that drives the league's most prolific offense, Zetterberg trails only Lidstrom as Detroit's defensive conscience. His ability to make an impact with and without the puck is reminiscent of Sergei Fedorov a decade ago.

Jack Adams Award (best coach)

This award tends to overlook the work done by established coaches of strong squads in favor of those whose undermanned teams exceed expectations. So let's give a quick tip of the cap to the fine work of John Paddock (Ottawa) and Mike Babcock (Detroit) before moving on to the men who've made silk purses out of sow's rears: Atlanta's Don Waddell, Andy Murray of the Blues, Ken Hitchcock of the Blue Jackets and Ted Nolan of the Islanders.

Waddell stepped behind the bench on Oct. 17 after firing the 0-6 Hartley. Since then, the Thrashers have played a more wide-open style that better suits the talent on hand, resulting in an 11-6 mark under his command. Murray has the Blues playing five games over .500 and right in the middle of the playoff race. Nolan has seamlessly integrated a raft of new, mostly low-profile players into his demanding system while keeping a team with a popgun offense afloat in the extremely competitive Atlantic.

The edge: Hitchcock. The award has to go to Hitchcock, who has taken one of the league's least talented groups and molded it into a cohesive, single-minded unit with legitimate playoff aspirations.