The NHL season is fully under way. Players are starting to separate themselves from each other, while others continue to be a disappointment. Some fantasy owners are looking to improve their teams, while others look for answers to save their season. With that, it’s time to hand out some fantasy hardware to the best, and worst, players from the first third of the NHL season.

The “Sleeper” Award

–Awarded to the player drafted after the tenth round with 20 or more points.

Winner: Jiri Hudler | Calgary Flames

Runners Up: Vladimir Tarasenko | St. Louis Blues, Tyler Johnson | Tampa Bay Lightning

Hudler is the clear-cut winner of the “Sleeper pick” award. The 30-year-old was going undrafted in many leagues. And in leagues where he was being drafted, he was going as the 267^th pick. The Czech Republic native has 25 points (11G,14A) in 25 games with a plus-9 rating and 42 shots on goal (SOG). The second round pick in 2002 is tied for 12^th in NHL scoring—ahead of guys like Henrik Zetterberg, John Tavares, Ryan Getzlaf, and Alexander Ovechkin. Vladimir Tarasenko and Tyler Johnson both have more points than Hudler, but the value that the veteran has provided so far this season for both the Flames and fantasy owners gives him the prize. Anyone of these players could have won it and are excellent value in the rounds they were taken in. It may not last the entire season, but for now, Hudler is providing early second round production and is the steal of the draft.

The “Gordie Howe” Award

 –Awarded to the player with the most points and penalty minutes.

Winner: Evgeni Malkin | Pittsburgh Penguins 

Runners Up: Jamie Benn | Dallas Stars, Corey Perry | Anaheim Ducks

Gordie “Mr. Hockey” Howe had the ability to score goals and rack up the penalty minutes. If fantasy hockey existed in his time, he would be the definition of a “stat stuffer.” Evgeni “Geno” Malkin is following in his footsteps as a goal scorer and a stat stuffer. Malkin has 30 points (12G,18A) in 24 games with a minus-1 rating and 64 SOG. The Russian superstar does everything, including racking up a nice 46 penalty minutes so far this season. The 28-year-old is in the top ten in all offensive categories (6^th in goals, 8^th in assists, 4^th in points, and 1^st in powerplay goals) and is an essential part of the Penguins success this season. There’s never been any question about Malkin’s talent, but his health in recent years has slowed him down. So far the 2^nd overall pick in 2004 has avoided injury and will continue to be a point producer and rack up the penalty minutes.

The “Flop” Award

 –Awarded to the biggest fantasy hockey disappoint.

Winner: Anze Kopitar | Los Angeles Kings

Runners Up: Tuukka Rask | Boston Bruins, David Backes | St. Louis Blues

It’s hard to call any of these players a fantasy flop, but for fantasy owners who spent an early round draft pick on them, that’s exactly what they are. Kopitar is a great leader and a two-time Stanley Cup champion, but sadly this season hasn’t been so great to him or fantasy owners. The 27-year-old has 12 points (5G,7A) in 22 games with a plus-2 rating and 36 SOG. Its not terrible, but its not late second round production— the 12 points puts Kopitar tied for 156^th in scoring and his 36 shots tied for 255^th. The Slovenian captain still has plenty of time to turn it around, but it’s been rough so far and his production till the end of the season may not make up for the poor start he had.

The “Brick Wall” Award

 –Awarded to the best goalie in fantasy hockey.

Winner: Pekka Rinne | Nashville Predators

Runners Up: Ryan Miller | Vancouver Canucks, Ben Bishop | Tampa Bay Lightning  

Most fantasy owners would be surprised to see Rinne having this kind of start to the season, but it shouldn’t be a surprise. I’m not going to say I told fantasy owners to take him (I did), but if you did, the risk is definitely paying off. The 32-year-old has a 16-4-1 record with a 1.83 goals against average (GAA) and a .932% save percentage (SV%). Rinne is in the top ten of almost every goaltending category—first in wins, second in games played, third in SV% and GAA, seventh in shutouts, and second in minutes played behind Corey Schneider (who has played every minute this season for the devils). The 258^th pick in  2004 had an average draft position (ADP) of 38^th overall, 7^th amongst goalie, so if you waited to take a goalie, the reward has been really nice. The two-time Vezina Trophy finalist will once again be in that conversation at season’s end and should be, and the idea of him slumping as the season goes on is not likely. The main concern will definitely be if the Finnish goalie can stay healthy, but for now, he’s the most valuable goalie in fantasy hockey.

The “New Kid on the Block” Award

 –Awarded to the rookie with the most points

Winner: Flilip Forsberg | Nashville Predators

Runners Up: Johhny Gaudreau | Calgary Flames, Tanner Pearson | Los Angeles Kings

Predator fans have already seen one Forsberg in Nashville, but I have a feeling they’re going to like the new Forsberg in town a lot more. Filip Forsberg could have easily won the “Sleeper” award too, but it didn’t seem fair to let a new kid take all the attention. The 11^th overall pick in 2012 has 23 points (10G,13A) in 24 games with a league leading plus-21 and 73 SOG. Forsberg is running away in his rookie class and is almost a lock to win Rookie of the Year this year. The 6’1” center is an offensive juggernaut—leading his team in points, plus/minus, game-winning goals (GWG), and second in shots behind talented sniper James Neal. The Ostervala, Sweden native’s ADP was 280^th (78^th as a center-man) and right now sits 22^nd in NHL scoring. Rookies aren’t always great fantasy value, but there’s always that one player that surprise every year, and this year it’s Forsberg. The legacy of talented Forsberg’s to play in Nashville will continue for many years to come.

The “First to 50” Award

 –Awarded to the player projected to score fifty goals this season first.

Winner:  Tyler Seguin | Dallas Stars

Runners Up: Steven Stamkos | Tampa Bay Lightning, Rick Nash | New York Rangers

Seguin currently leads the league in goals and will be the first player to score fifty goals this year. The 22-year-old is a scoring machine and can’t be stopped. He’s playing with captain Jamie Benn, and both make a great one-two punch upfront. Steven Stamkos and Alexander Ovechkin are the only legit competition Seguin has, and only Stamkos has a good chance to get to fifty goals by seasons end. Rick Nash may get to fifty as well, but it’s hard to believe he’ll be able to maintain this pace all year. One thing is certain—The Brampton, Ontario native is a superstar and will have many more fifty-goal seasons after this one. Right now its his race to lose, and to believe anyone will score more goals than him this season is really hard to believe.

The “Offensive/Defensive Defenseman” Award

 –Awarded to the defenseman with the most points and best plus/minus.

Winner: Mark Giordano/ TJ. Brodie | Calgary Flames

Runners Up: Shea Weber | Nashville Predators, Anton Stralman |Tampa Bay Lightning

It’s only fitting that teammates and line partners Giordano and Brodie win this award together. It was impossible to pick just one, as together, they complete each other. The Flames weren’t supposed to be a very good hockey team, but with Giordano and Brodie leading the way, the Flames have found themselves in contention for a playoff spot come April. The 31-year-old captain leads all defenseman in points with 26 (6G, 20A) and is third in plus/minus at plus-15. The un-drafted defenseman is having a career year and has been a surprise so far this season to say the least. 24-year-old Brodie is second behind Giordano in points with 21 (6G, 15A) and first in plus/minus at plus-19. The combo collectively make up the best pairing in hockey right now and will continue to provide fantasy owners with excellent value going forward.