As the 2025-26 NHL season approaches its final phase, intense battles for the league’s prestigious year-end honors are unfolding. Players like Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and emerging rookies are staking their claims for awards, with the NHL Awards 2025-26 spotlighting the tight competition. Experts from theScore, including Michael Bradburn, Kyle Cushman, John Matisz, Sean O’Leary, Levi Smith, and Josh Wegman, have analyzed this season’s developments to predict potential winners for the Hart, Vezina, Norris, and Calder trophies.
Lead Contenders for the Hart Memorial Trophy
Nathan MacKinnon remains a frontrunner for the Hart Memorial Trophy after maintaining his position as a top candidate from two months ago, although the margin has diminished. MacKinnon, a key player for the Avalanche, is tied for second in league scoring, leads in total shots, and consistently dominates five-on-five play for the Western Conference’s best team. His influence on Colorado’s success keeps him at the center of MVP conversations.
Connor McDavid has also made a strong statement, receiving second-place votes on most ballots. His milestone of reaching 100 points this season places him alongside NHL legends Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux as only the third player to accomplish this feat in nine different campaigns. McDavid’s continued elite play pushes the contest forward with urgency.
The race for third place is more uncertain, with Cole Celebrini narrowly edging out Nikita Kucherov by two voting points. Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning are notably on fire, while Celebrini, fresh from a standout performance at the Olympics, aims to guide the young San Jose Sharks into a playoff spot. Other notable players considered for Hart votes include Zach Werenski, Kirill Kaprizov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Ilya Sorokin, highlighting the depth of talent in the league.
Vezina Trophy Rivalry Intensifies Between Goalies
The Vezina Trophy race appears to be a head-to-head between Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ilya Sorokin. Vasilevskiy has been exceptional recently, winning 17 of his last 18 starts with a .925 save percentage. His consistent performance places him on the brink of becoming a Vezina finalist for the sixth time and possibly claiming the award for a second time.
Sorokin continues to make a significant impact, leading all goalies with 45.81 goals saved above expected and holding a .915 save percentage. His NHL-leading six shutouts add to his credentials—though his eligibility for serious Vezina consideration hinges on whether the New York Islanders secure a playoff spot. Behind these two, Tristan Thompson is generally regarded as the third-best candidate, with others like Bussi, Jeremy Swayman, Jet Greaves, and Karl Vejmelka receiving several mentions.
Defensive Battle for the Norris Trophy
The Norris Trophy competition has tightened considerably as the regular season winds down. Cale Makar, who once appeared to be the clear favorite, now shares first-place votes with Zach Werenski. Despite this, Makar retains the edge after the tiebreaker in voting. The reigning Norris winner boasts 58 points in 57 games while logging more than 25 minutes of ice time per night, demonstrating his crucial role for the Avalanche.
Werenski, a vital player for the Columbus Blue Jackets, matches Makar with 20 goals and adds 43 assists in a resurgence that has Columbus back in playoff contention. He ranks second among defensemen in average ice time (26:24) and holds a notable advantage over Makar in Evolving-Hockey’s goals above replacement metric, underscoring his value on the ice.
While other defensemen such as Quinn Hughes and Moritz Seider have had strong seasons, they are unlikely to surpass Makar or Werenski with the schedule nearing completion.
Calder Trophy Race Nearly Decided
The contest for the Calder Memorial Trophy looks increasingly settled this season. Samuel Schaefer has broken the NHL record for goals by an 18-year-old defenseman with 18 goals and is on track to surpass the rookie blue-liner record of 23 goals. Schaefer also leads all New York Islanders skaters in average ice time at 24:07 per game. Should the Islanders reach the playoffs, Schaefer’s candidacy for a unanimous Calder winner strengthens.
While rookies Kirill Demidov and Leonard Sennecke sit first and second in rookie scoring respectively, their overall influence on team success does not match that of Schaefer, who has become a cornerstone for the Islanders.
Significance and Upcoming Developments
The closeness of these award races highlights the competitive intensity gripping the NHL as the regular season nears its conclusion. Players like MacKinnon, McDavid, and Schaefer are not only pushing their personal boundaries but are also crucial in steering their teams’ fortunes. The battle for top honors will likely influence playoff seedings and player legacies moving forward.
As teams fight for postseason berths, the final weeks will determine which performances solidify into memorable triumphs. Fans and analysts alike will watch the NHL Awards 2025-26 with anticipation, knowing that the eventual winners exemplify dedication, skill, and impact that define this thrilling season.
