The 2024-25 NHL fantasy hockey season concluded with standout performances from several players, leading to the distribution of prestigious awards. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets dominated the fantasy landscape, likely clinching the Art Ross Trophy with a significant lead. Meanwhile, Darcy Kuemper's journey from adversity to top performance earned him the Fantasy Hart Trophy. The Fantasy Calder Trophy was awarded to Lane Hutson, who transformed his rookie season into a top-tier performance. Zach Werenski reclaimed the Fantasy Norris Trophy with impressive stats as a defenseman. Mackenzie Blackwood's rise with the Colorado Avalanche secured him the Fantasy Vezina Trophy, showcasing the impact of trades. Rickard Rakell emerged as the comeback player of the year, demonstrating great resilience.

EA Sports is unveiling the Team of the Season (TOTS) for the 2024-25 NHL season, spotlighting the top-performing players of the current season. Unlike the Team of the Year, which has a defined cut-off, TOTS focuses strictly on this season's statistics. The initial reveal features notable stars like Connor Hellebuyck, Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, Nikita Kucherov, Leon Draisaitl, and Nathan MacKinnon, all boasting exceptional overall ratings of 94. MacKinnon, Kucherov, and Draisaitl are leading the league in scoring, while Makar and Werenski lead among defensemen. Hellebuyck shines in goal, topping wins and save percentage.

Four of these players—MacKinnon, Kucherov, Makar, and Hellebuyck—also made it to the Team of the Year, emphasizing their consistency. Additionally, EA Sports commemorated Alex Ovechkin for his historic 895th career goal, highlighting that he has been instrumental in scoring over 216 million goals in the NHL gaming series from NHL 07 to NHL 25.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are surprisingly in playoff contention, led by standout defenseman Zach Werenski, who has surpassed expectations this season. General Manager Don Waddell admits he did not foresee Werenski performing at this level, yet he has become a key player, accumulating 74 points in 75 games and positioning himself as a Norris Trophy contender.

Werenski's performance comes despite the team's struggles with injuries to key players like Boone Jenner and Erik Gudbranson. His dedication to health through offseason training has paid off, as he has managed to stay mostly injury-free this season. The emotional impact of losing Johnny Gaudreau has unified the team, creating a strong bond that has fueled their surprising success.

As the Blue Jackets push towards the playoffs, Werenski continues to assert himself as a top-tier defenseman, hoping to lead Columbus back to postseason glory.

The Columbus Blue Jackets face a daunting challenge on their path to the playoffs, having recently suffered back-to-back shutouts against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. With just six games remaining, they find themselves eight points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The odds are heavily stacked against them, with DraftKings giving the Blue Jackets +7,000 odds to qualify, a drastic drop from their previous +330.

Defenseman Zach Werenski emphasized the need for a game-by-game focus, acknowledging the tough situation while urging the team to finish strong. Analysis from MoneyPuck indicates their playoff chances have plummeted to a mere 0.3%, leaving fans wondering if a miracle is still possible as the team approaches the season's end.

Dylan Larkin's recent comments post the 4 Nations Face-Off championship underscore the challenges facing USA Hockey in elevating its international status. He pointed out the reluctance of many NHL players to participate in the World Championships, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift that prioritizes national representation. With the rise of programs like the National Team Development Program (NTDP), which has fostered young talent, there’s hope that American players will take pride in donning the Team USA jersey and enhance their competitive spirit on the global stage.

The historical perspective is crucial, as many players from earlier eras had different opportunities. As USA Hockey strives to renovate its approach to international play, there's a call for stars like Larkin and Zach Werenski to lead by example. Their involvement can foster a sense of pride and commitment, paving the way for future generations to value international play more holistically, beyond just the Olympics.