As the NHL pauses for the 2026 Olympic break, the race for the season’s big awards heats up with roughly 30% of the regular season remaining. Fans and analysts are watching closely to see which players are shaping up as front-runners for the prestigious honors. From MVP candidates to top rookies and goaltenders, the awards landscape is competitive and dynamic heading into the final stretch.
Top Contenders for the Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
The battle for the Hart Trophy remains wide open this year, with several standout performers among the favorites. Leading the pack are Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov, all of whom have compiled impressive numbers. A surprising entrant into the conversation is Macklin Celebrini, who has amassed 81 points and at one time had San Jose in a playoff position. With the Sharks now fading from contention, Celebrini’s chances hinge on whether he can single-handedly power his team into the postseason—a daunting task.
Among these stars, Nikita Kucherov stands out as the top candidate at this point in the season. Kucherov leads the NHL with 62 assists and trails McDavid by only five points in overall scoring. Despite the Tampa Bay Lightning’s roster challenges—they only have three players who have appeared in all 55 games—Kucherov remains their leading point scorer in the Eastern Conference. He has been remarkably consistent, recording 31 multi-point games compared to 21 games with one or no points. His impact is evident in his twelve games with at least three points, six games with four or more, and an exceptional five-point game. From late December into mid-January, he posted a nine-game streak with at least two points each contest.
Leading Candidates for the Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)
The demand for defensemen who contribute significantly on offense while maintaining solid defensive play continues to rise across the league. This trend influenced the Chicago Blackhawks’ decision to draft Artyom Levshunov second overall in 2024. Currently, seven of the top eight scoring defensemen play for teams positioned in the playoff race. Although Edmonton Oilers’ Evan Bouchard leads defensemen with 63 points, his defensive shortcomings likely limit his Norris Trophy chances. Similarly, Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson ranks third among defensemen with 58 points but also faces criticism for defensive play.
The three defensemen who have impressed most overall this season are Cale Makar from the Colorado Avalanche, Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild, and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Of these, Werenski emerges as the prime Norris candidate entering the Olympic break. His extraordinary performance over 43 games includes 18 goals, a remarkable total for a defenseman. More importantly, Werenski elevates his team on every level—offensively and defensively—playing effectively across all zones and facets of the game. His leadership has reinvigorated Columbus, pushing them back into playoff contention.
“Zach Werenski now has EIGHTEEN (18) goals in 43 games played… AS A DEFENSEMAN 😱🔥” — B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce), January 16, 2026
Emerging Best Rookie Candidates for the Calder Trophy
The rookie class this season is loaded with talent, highlighted by Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov, who leads all rookies with 34 assists and 46 points. Anaheim Ducks’ Beckett Sennecke has made his mark by tying for the rookie lead in goals with Canadiens’ Oliver Kapanen, both having scored 18 goals. Sennecke is second among rookies with 44 points, close behind Demidov. Despite their outstanding performances, both are slightly overshadowed by New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer.
Schaefer was the consensus number one pick in last June’s draft and has exceeded expectations with his play this season. His achievements as an 18-year-old defenseman are rare, ranking third among rookies in goals (16), assists (23), and total points (39). Schaefer’s contributions have been a major factor in the Islanders securing a playoff spot at the Olympic break, and he is widely projected to develop into a future superstar.
Leading Goaltenders in the Vezina Trophy Competition
The Vezina Trophy race has opened wide due to a subpar season from Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets. Brandon Bussi has emerged as a leading candidate, surprising many with his impressive 23-3-1 record for the Carolina Hurricanes. Bussi’s 2.16 goals-against average ranks second-best across the NHL and marks him as a rising star in the crease. Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild also started strong, holding a .914 save percentage and sharing the league’s shutout lead with four.
Colorado Avalanche’s Makenzie Blackwood offers a solid case with a 2.25 GAA and .916 save percentage but may fall short due to missed games from injury. Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning remains a formidable presence between the pipes. Despite the Lightning topping the Atlantic Division unexpectedly, Vasilevskiy’s performance has been a key factor. After a disappointing 2023-24 season, when he posted a 2.90 GAA and .900 save percentage, Vasilevskiy has rebounded remarkably. He now leads the league with 27 wins, holds the best GAA at 2.11, and ranks second in save percentage at .920. His resurgence makes him the favorite for the Vezina Trophy at the Olympic break and positions him to claim his second award by season’s end.
As the NHL heads into the final phase before the playoffs, these award races promise to intensify. Players like Nikita Kucherov, Zach Werenski, Matthew Schaefer, and Andrei Vasilevskiy will remain in the spotlight as they push their teams and personal performances toward postseason success.
Zach Werenski now has EIGHTEEN (18) goals in 43 games played… AS A DEFENSEMAN 😱🚨 pic.twitter.com/COm3cYeMlR
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 16, 2026
