Overview
- the NHL named Bill Guerin, Chris MacFarland and Pat Verbeek as finalists on Tuesday after first-round voting, with all three teams still in the playoffs.
- MacFarland’s Colorado Avalanche set a franchise record with 121 points and won the Presidents’ Trophy after additions that included Brent Burns and the return of Nazem Kadri.
- Guerin transformed Minnesota with a December trade for 2024 Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, and the Wild earned their first playoff series win in 11 years.
- Verbeek ended Anaheim’s playoff drought by pairing top prospects with veterans such as John Carlson and Chris Kreider, and the Ducks upset Edmonton in the first round.
- All three are first-time nominees, the league shifted balloting to after Round 1 this year, and Jim Nill’s three-year run with the award has ended while the winner awaits announcement later in the postseason.