Predicting Glory: A Deep Dive into the 2025-26 NHL Awards Race

The curtain has fallen on the frenetic pace of the NHL offseason, as the league`s top talents and promising newcomers have largely settled into their new homes. With rosters taking shape and training camps looming, attention inevitably shifts from contract signings to on-ice performance – specifically, who among hockey`s elite will stand tall at season`s end, clutching one of the game`s most prestigious individual awards.

While the puck is yet to drop, sportsbooks have already begun to lay out their predictions, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the anticipated hierarchy of talent. These early odds serve not just as betting lines, but as a collective appraisal from analytics and expert sentiment, highlighting established legends and breakout candidates alike. Let`s dissect the initial projections for the Hart, Calder, Vezina, and Norris Trophies, assessing the favorites, the dark horses, and the longshots poised to make a statement in the 2025-26 campaign.

The Hart Trophy: The League`s Most Valuable Player

The Hart Memorial Trophy, bestowed upon the player judged most valuable to his team, represents the pinnacle of individual achievement in the NHL. After Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck defied convention by claiming the award in 2024-25 – a rare feat for a netminder – the field is once again wide open, though one name consistently rises above the rest.

Favorite: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)

Is the sky blue? Is ice cold? Connor McDavid leading the Hart Trophy race is a truth as undeniable as gravity in the NHL landscape. The Edmonton Oilers captain, already a multiple-time Hart winner, continues to operate on a different plane of existence. Despite a second consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance ending in disappointment, McDavid`s motivation, already unparalleled, is likely to be at an all-time high. His impending contract status adds another layer of intrigue; a truly historic season could serve as his ultimate statement, regardless of his long-term future with the Oilers. He is, simply put, the benchmark.

Under the Radar: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)

With Mitch Marner`s departure to the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews faces an intriguing challenge: shouldering an even greater offensive burden. Matthews, a Hart Trophy winner in 2021-22 following a remarkable 60-goal season, possesses the singular ability to take over games. If the Maple Leafs are to contend, it will largely be on Matthews` stick, presenting him with ample opportunity to compile MVP-caliber statistics and force his way back into the forefront of the conversation.

Longshot: Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights)

The notion of a “longshot” often implies a degree of improbability, but for Mitch Marner, his odds (+6000) reflect less on his talent and more on the sheer depth of the Hart Trophy field. Now with the Vegas Golden Knights, skating alongside Jack Eichel, Marner enters a new chapter on a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Coming off a career-best 100-point campaign, his playmaking prowess and offensive output could skyrocket in a fresh environment. While winning the Hart would require a truly extraordinary season, the potential for a significant impact is undeniably present.

The Calder Trophy: The League`s Top Rookie

The Calder Memorial Trophy celebrates the NHL`s most outstanding rookie. While the 2025-26 class isn`t expected to feature a generational “can`t-miss-right-away” talent in the vein of a McDavid or Crosby, the incoming crop of prospects is undeniably deep and exciting, promising a fierce competition for rookie supremacy.

Favorite: Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens)

Selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, winger Ivan Demidov has already provided a glimpse of his immense potential, making a late-season debut with the Montreal Canadiens in 2024-25. With a goal and an assist in just two NHL games, including a score in his very first period, Demidov showcased the exceptional vision and hockey IQ that made him a top prospect. Playing for a Canadiens team poised for a playoff push after key acquisitions, Demidov`s natural offensive gifts and early professional experience position him as the leading candidate for rookie honors.

Under the Radar: Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks)

The San Jose Sharks continued to stockpile offensive talent by drafting Michael Misa second overall in the recent draft. Misa`s offensive toolkit is undeniable, highlighted by a staggering 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in the OHL. The primary question surrounding Misa is whether he will make the Sharks` opening night roster directly out of training camp. Should he successfully transition to the NHL, his innate scoring ability makes him an immediate and serious contender for the Calder Trophy, regardless of the team`s overall performance.

Longshot: Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames)

Calgary Flames defenseman Zayne Parekh, like Demidov, received a taste of NHL action late in the 2024-25 season, making an immediate impact with a goal in his debut against the Los Angeles Kings. As a 2024 first-round pick, Parekh boasts elite offensive instincts, evidenced by his 107-point campaign in the OHL. With a strong likelihood of making the Flames` roster, especially with potential roster moves on Calgary`s blue line, Parekh could surprise many. An offensive defenseman making a significant splash in his rookie season is always a compelling narrative, and Parekh certainly has the skillset to write it.

The Vezina Trophy: The League`s Top Goaltender

The Vezina Trophy honors the NHL`s best goaltender, a position arguably the most crucial and demanding in hockey. For the past two seasons, the award has found a comfortable home in Winnipeg, though a talented field of challengers is eager to pry it away.

Favorite: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)

Given his consecutive Vezina wins, including a remarkable 2024-25 season where he posted a 47-12-3 record with a 2.00 GAA and .925 SV%, Connor Hellebuyck as the favorite is less a prediction and more an acknowledgment of an ongoing reign. He is the epitome of consistency and dominance in net, regularly stealing games for the Jets. Until another netminder proves capable of consistently matching or surpassing his elite performance, Hellebuyck remains the undisputed king of the crease.

Under the Radar: Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames)

Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf burst onto the scene in 2024-25, finishing as the Calder Trophy runner-up. After assuming the Flames` starting role, Wolf compiled an impressive 29-16-8 record with a 2.64 GAA and a .910 SV%. His performance was a cornerstone of Calgary`s unexpected playoff push, demonstrating maturity and skill beyond his years. While winning the Vezina in his second full season would be a significant leap, Wolf possesses the raw talent and competitive drive to make serious noise in the goaltending hierarchy.

Longshot: Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers)

Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers continues to defy Father Time, refining his game with age. As a key architect of the Panthers` recent Stanley Cup success, Bobrovsky posted a solid 33-19-2 record with a 2.44 GAA and .905 SV% in 2024-25. His ability to elevate his play in crucial moments is well-documented. While he may not always put up the flashiest regular-season numbers, his seasoned reliability and capacity for truly dominant stretches make him a perennial dark horse, capable of contending for the Vezina if Hellebuyck faces any regression.

The Norris Trophy: The League`s Top Defenseman

The Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded to the NHL`s best all-around defenseman. The past few seasons have seen a dynamic rotation of talent claim the award, but as the 2025-26 season approaches, one name stands out for his offensive prowess and overall impact.

Favorite: Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche enters the 2025-26 season as the consensus favorite for the Norris Trophy, and for good reason. His ability to generate offense from the blue line is almost unparalleled; in 2024-25, he recorded a career-high 92 points (30 goals, 62 assists), leading all defensemen in virtually every key offensive category. Makar is not just a defenseman who scores; he redefines what is possible for a blueliner in the modern game. Until a challenger emerges who can consistently match his offensive fireworks and defensive solidity, the Norris Trophy remains his to lose.

Under the Radar: Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)

While Quinn Hughes often garners attention as the second favorite, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski presents compelling value as an “under the radar” candidate. After a injury-shortened 2022-23 campaign, Werenski surged in 2024-25, tallying a career-high 82 points and 23 goals. His impressive comeback highlights his offensive capabilities and his growing influence on the Blue Jackets` play. At +950 odds, Werenski could easily thrust himself into the Norris conversation with another high-impact season, especially if the traditional favorites falter.

Longshot: Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers)

In the context of the Norris Trophy, offensive statistics often carry significant weight, a factor that plays directly into the strengths of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard. Bouchard is a highly skilled playmaker from the back end, having netted 32 goals over the past two seasons and notably finished fifth in Norris voting in 2023-24. Playing alongside offensive titans like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl undeniably inflates his point totals, providing him with prime opportunities on the power play. While a longshot, Bouchard`s offensive contributions make him a compelling dark horse if he can continue his upward trajectory and demonstrate further refinement in his all-around game.

As the NHL gears up for another thrilling season, the individual award races promise to deliver compelling narratives. From the undisputed dominance of McDavid and Hellebuyck to the rapid ascent of rookies like Demidov and the steady brilliance of defensemen such as Makar, the 2025-26 campaign is set to be a showcase of elite talent. These early odds provide a fascinating baseline, but as history consistently reminds us, the true story will unfold on the ice, filled with unexpected heroes and thrilling performances.