As the summer warmth begins to wane, a different kind of heat is building – the anticipation for the 2025-26 NHL season. With the frenetic pace of free agency largely settled and rosters taking their preliminary shape, the speculation machine is already in overdrive. Beyond the team standings and playoff hopes, individual accolades hold a unique allure. Sportsbooks have begun to post their odds, turning fan hopes into tangible predictions. While these numbers offer a snapshot of current expectations, the true drama lies in the narratives that will unfold. Let`s delve into the early contenders for the league`s most prestigious individual honors, dissecting the forces that could shape hockey history.
- The Hart Trophy: The Crown Jewel of Individual Excellence
- Favorite: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
- Under the Radar: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
- Longshot: Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights)
- Calder Trophy: The Dawn of New Eras
- Favorite: Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens)
- Under the Radar: Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks)
- Longshot: Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames)
- Vezina Trophy: The Guardians of the Net
- Favorite: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)
- Under the Radar: Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames)
- Longshot: Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers)
- Norris Trophy: Orchestrators of the Blue Line
- Favorite: Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
- Under the Radar: Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
- Longshot: Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers)
The Hart Trophy: The Crown Jewel of Individual Excellence
Awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team, the Hart Trophy is hockey`s ultimate individual declaration. In a league brimming with talent, only a select few truly stand out, and even fewer manage to seize this coveted hardware. After Connor Hellebuyck`s surprising yet undeniable goaltending masterclass in 2024-25, the field for 2025-26 is once again ripe for compelling stories.
Favorite: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
Is it truly a surprise? Connor McDavid, the undeniable virtuoso of the modern NHL, sits atop the Hart Trophy odds. Despite two consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses for his Oilers, McDavid`s individual brilliance remains unparalleled. Having already secured the Hart twice in the last five years, he’s in the rarefied air of Gretzky and Orr. The 2025-26 season could be a pivotal one for McDavid, potentially his “swan song” in Edmonton if a contract extension isn`t inked. This underlying pressure, coupled with the sting of recent championship defeats, could fuel a season of unprecedented motivation and statistical dominance. A man on a mission, one might say, to not only lift a Cup but to remind everyone who truly owns the league.
Under the Radar: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
With Mitch Marner departing for the bright lights of Vegas, Auston Matthews finds himself in a familiar yet intensified spotlight in Toronto. The offensive burden on the Maple Leafs` top line will undoubtedly shift more squarely onto his shoulders. Matthews has tasted Hart Trophy glory before, notably in his 60-goal 2021-22 campaign. This season, however, presents a different challenge: proving he can carry a significant portion of the offensive load without his long-time elite winger. If Matthews embraces this challenge and elevates his already prolific scoring, his narrative of leadership and sheer offensive force could easily propel him back into MVP contention.
Longshot: Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights)
A change of scenery can do wonders, and for Mitch Marner, joining the Vegas Golden Knights offers a fresh canvas. Now slated to skate alongside star center Jack Eichel, Marner retains his role as an elite playmaker, a skill set that has consistently produced high-scoring seasons. Coming off his first career 100-point season, Marner arrives in Vegas with momentum. While winning the Hart Trophy would require a truly seismic, perhaps career-best, performance, playing for a perennial Stanley Cup contender on a new team could provide the spark. Sometimes, a player just needs to find the right slot in the offensive machine, and Vegas, with its penchant for “found gold,” might just be it.
Calder Trophy: The Dawn of New Eras
The Calder Trophy celebrates the NHL`s brightest rookie, an award that often forecasts future superstardom. While not every year produces a generational talent like a Crosby or McDavid stepping immediately into the league, the 2025-26 season offers a compelling crop of emerging stars eager to make their mark. After defenseman Lane Hutson`s impressive 66-point rookie campaign in 2024-25, the race is wide open.
Favorite: Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens)
Selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Ivan Demidov has already offered tantalizing glimpses of his NHL potential, tallying a goal and an assist in a brief two-game stint at the tail end of the 2024-25 season. His remarkable vision and elite hockey IQ suggest a player ready to make an immediate impact. Playing for a Canadiens team that appears poised for a playoff push after significant offseason acquisitions, Demidov will have ample opportunity to showcase his polarizing talent. He`s not just “dipping his skates” anymore; he`s ready for a full dive into the professional ranks.
Under the Radar: Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks)
The San Jose Sharks have been meticulously accumulating future talent, and Michael Misa, the second overall pick in the 2024 Draft, is a jewel in that crown. An incredibly gifted offensive player, Misa torched the OHL with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 2024-25. The question remains whether he will secure a spot on the Sharks` opening night roster, a perennial challenge for even the most talented prospects. However, if Misa does make the jump, his sheer offensive toolkit makes him an undeniable candidate for the Calder. The hype is real, and it’s about to collide with the NHL stage.
Longshot: Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames)
Another 2024 first-round pick who got an early taste of NHL action, Zayne Parekh quickly proved his mettle by scoring in his first game for the Calgary Flames. This offensive defenseman, much like Demidov, boasts supreme offensive chops, evidenced by his 107 points (33 goals, 74 assists) in the OHL. Parekh’s pathway to an opening night roster spot seems plausible, especially if the Flames continue to shuffle their defensive corps. If he can translate his offensive prowess to the NHL and anchor the Flames` blue line from day one, his longshot status might just be a testament to the early-season value, not his true potential.
Vezina Trophy: The Guardians of the Net
The Vezina Trophy honors the NHL`s best goaltender, a position often defined by stoicism, agility, and the ability to steal games. For the past two seasons, that honor has squarely belonged to Connor Hellebuyck. Yet, the goaltending landscape is always fluid, and a new season brings fresh challenges and potential usurpers to the throne.
Favorite: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)
When you`ve won the Vezina in back-to-back seasons, including a Hart Trophy, you`re not just a favorite; you`re the benchmark. Connor Hellebuyck`s 2024-25 campaign—a stellar 47-12-3 record with a 2.00 GAA and .925 save percentage—was nothing short of dominant. He is a picture of consistency, often appearing as a brick wall against onslaughts. Until another netminder proves capable of dethroning this reigning monarch, the Vezina remains Hellebuyck’s domain to defend. Betting against him feels less like a longshot and more like a gamble on the improbable.
Under the Radar: Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames)
Dustin Wolf, after finishing second in Calder Trophy voting in his rookie season, swiftly transitioned into Calgary`s number one goaltender following the Jacob Markstrom trade. His impressive 29-16-8 record, coupled with a 2.64 GAA and .910 save percentage, was a significant factor in the Flames` unexpected playoff push. For a second-year full-time starter to vie for the Vezina is a tall order, but Wolf has consistently defied expectations. He possesses the talent and the starting role needed to make serious noise, potentially challenging the established order faster than many anticipate.
Longshot: Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers)
Sergei Bobrovsky, the veteran netminder for the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, continues to defy the conventional aging curve, performing like a fine wine that only improves with time. His 33-19-2 record, 2.44 GAA, and .905 save percentage in 2024-25 were pivotal to Florida’s triumph. Bobrovsky`s ability to lock in and deliver elite performances, especially in high-pressure situations, is unquestionable. While Hellebuyck holds a firm grip on the favorite status, should the Jets` netminder have an unexpected dip, Bobrovsky`s proven track record of clutch play and consistent excellence makes him a compelling, albeit longshot, candidate to reclaim the Vezina.
Norris Trophy: Orchestrators of the Blue Line
The Norris Trophy is bestowed upon the NHL`s top defenseman, celebrating players who combine defensive acumen with offensive flair. Colorado Avalanche blueliner Cale Makar has been a dominant force, claiming two of the last four awards. Yet, the category is rich with elite talent, always promising a tight race where defensive stalwarts and offensive dynamos vie for supremacy.
Favorite: Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
Cale Makar isn`t just a defenseman; he`s a game-changer, rewriting the playbook for what the position can be. His 2024-25 season was a career best, racking up 92 points (30 goals, 62 assists), leading all defensemen in virtually every key offensive category. Makar’s ability to score double-digit goals in five of his six professional seasons, including multiple 20-goal campaigns, firmly establishes him as the offensive juggernaut from the blue line. Until someone can genuinely upstage his unique blend of electrifying offense and responsible defense, Makar remains the undisputed frontrunner for the Norris Trophy. He`s not just playing defense; he`s orchestrating it.
Under the Radar: Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
While Quinn Hughes often gets cited as Makar`s closest rival, Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets has quietly, or perhaps not so quietly, ascended the ranks of elite defensemen. After an injury-riddled 2022-23, Werenski roared back with a career-high 82 points and 23 goals in 2024-25. His 139 points over the last two seasons are a testament to his resilience and relentless offensive output. At +950 odds, Werenski represents significant value. If Makar or Hughes face a slight setback, Werenski possesses the offensive firepower and all-around game to thrust himself squarely into the Norris conversation. He`s proof that sometimes, the best stories come from those overcoming adversity.
Longshot: Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers)
The Norris Trophy, particularly in modern hockey, often heavily weighs offensive production, a metric where Evan Bouchard excels. The Edmonton Oilers defenseman is one of the league`s most gifted playmakers from the back end, evidenced by his 32 goals over the past two seasons and a fifth-place finish in Norris voting in 2023-24. His statistics are undoubtedly bolstered by the generational talents of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, making him a prime beneficiary of an elite power play. While a Norris win would require a truly exceptional season, Bouchard’s offensive contributions are undeniable. He`s a skilled architect on the blue line, and in the right circumstances, he could certainly surprise many by being deep in the mix.
The 2025-26 NHL season is still a distant hum on the horizon, but the individual narratives are already taking shape. From established titans seeking to cement their legacies to eager rookies ready to ignite new eras, the race for the Hart, Calder, Vezina, and Norris Trophies promises to be captivating. While betting odds provide an initial framework, the true beauty of sports lies in its glorious unpredictability. As the puck drops, these predictions will be tested, and new stories of triumph and challenge will begin to unfold on the ice.
