Rocket Richard and Vezina
Cam Atkinson has a real chance to take home the Rocket Richard this year. In the 2016-2017 season, he had 35 goals. Last year, even with an injury that took him out for an extended period, Cam had 18 goals in the final 32 games. That’s an insane pace that would give him 46 goals in an 82 game season. That would be good for second in the league last season.
The top line of Panarin – Dubois – Atkinson has looked solid in the preseason and if they can continue the high level of play they had last year, Cam can be a dark horse Rocket Richard candidate.
For the Vezina, Sergei Bobrovsky will always be a leading candidate. Bob is the only active player with two Vezina Trophy’s and is looking for a huge payday after this season. What better way to earn “Carey Price money” than by adding another piece of hardware to the trophy case.
Bob has looked a bit shaky in the preseason but no one doubts that he will turn it around in time for October 4th. Bob finished 8th last year after winning the Vezina in 2017. This year, he will be a finalist.