Anticipating Greatness: Unpacking the Early Odds for the 2025-26 NHL Season’s Top Individual Honors

As the curtain falls on yet another frenetic NHL offseason, with free agents having largely settled into their new locker rooms, the hockey world collectively holds its breath for the puck drop of the 2025-26 season. While the ultimate prize remains the Stanley Cup, a parallel narrative of individual excellence is already taking shape. Analysts and oddsmakers, ever eager to quantify potential, have released their early predictions for the league`s most prestigious individual awards, offering a glimpse into which players are poised to dominate the headlines. This isn`t merely about speculation; it`s about identifying the athletes whose anticipated performances will define the season, shape legacies, and perhaps, provide a few delightful surprises.

The Hart Trophy: Who Claims the MVP Mantle?

The Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team, often sparks the most fervent debate. Historically, consistency is key, yet the narrative of a single, transcendent season can sometimes override all else. The 2024-25 season saw Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck break a decade-long goalie drought for the award, a testament to an extraordinary campaign that undoubtedly set a high bar.

Favorite: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)

Is it truly a surprise to see Connor McDavid at the summit of this discussion? In a league brimming with generational talent, the Edmonton Oilers captain frequently reminds us that he operates on a different plane. With two Hart Trophies already gracing his mantle over the past five seasons, McDavid is undeniably the benchmark. Coming off a second consecutive Stanley Cup Final loss, one can only imagine the renewed motivation fueling his pursuit of both team and individual glory. The whispers of his contract status extending beyond next summer only add a layer of intrigue: could this be a “legacy season” for the undisputed king of offense?

Under the Radar: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The departure of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights heralds a new era for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and with it, a potentially massive campaign for center Auston Matthews. Tasked with shouldering an even greater offensive burden on Toronto`s top line, Matthews, a former Hart Trophy winner in 2021-22 with a remarkable 60-goal season, has the inherent ability to take over games. If he truly embraces this heightened responsibility, his candidacy for the league`s top individual honor could soar from “under the radar” to “front and center.” After all, sometimes, less support means more opportunity for individual brilliance to shine.

Longshot: Mitch Marner (Vegas Golden Knights)

A fresh start can often ignite dormant potential, or in Mitch Marner`s case, perhaps amplify an already potent skillset. Moving to the Vegas Golden Knights allows Marner to skate alongside star center Jack Eichel, forming what promises to be an electrifying top line. After tallying his first-career 100-point season in Toronto (27 goals, 75 assists), Marner`s playmaking abilities will be on full display for a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. While a Hart Trophy win would require a truly absurd, career-defining performance that pushes him into uncharted MVP territory, the environment in Vegas might just provide the stage for such an audacious leap.

The Calder Trophy: The Race for Rookie Dominance

The Calder Memorial Trophy celebrates the NHL`s top rookie, often a litmus test for the league`s future stars. The 2024-25 season saw Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson earn the honor, highlighting that defensive prowess can indeed claim the spotlight. Unlike some years with immediate, highly-touted generational talents making their debut, the 2025-26 class appears to be a thrilling mix of potential, with few absolute “shoe-ins” straight from the draft podium, making the race even more compelling.

Favorite: Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens)

Selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, winger Ivan Demidov wasted no time leaving his mark, even getting a taste of NHL action late in the 2024-25 season. A goal and an assist in just two games, including finding the net in his very first period against the Chicago Blackhawks, offered a tantalizing preview. Demidov`s game is characterized by tremendous vision and an elite hockey IQ. Playing for a Canadiens squad that looks poised for a playoff push after significant offseason moves, his raw talent and quick adjustment to the professional pace could easily catapult him to the top of the Calder conversation. He`s already shown he belongs, now he needs to show he can dominate.

Under the Radar: Michael Misa (San Jose Sharks)

The San Jose Sharks have been diligently accumulating young offensive firepower, and 2024`s No. 2 overall pick, Michael Misa, is a glittering addition. This incredibly gifted forward compiled an eye-popping 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) with the OHL`s Saginaw Spirit in 2024-25. While his immediate inclusion on the Sharks` opening night roster remains an open question, Misa`s sheer offensive upside is undeniable. Should he make the leap to the NHL this season, his natural scoring touch and playmaking ability would make him an immediate, potent threat in the Calder race, potentially becoming the centerpiece of a rebuilding Sharks offense.

Longshot: Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames)

Much like Demidov, Calgary Flames defenseman Zayne Parekh, a 2024 first-round pick, also enjoyed a late-season NHL cameo in 2024-25, scoring a goal in his debut against the Los Angeles Kings. Parekh showcased supreme offensive chops in the OHL, racking up 107 points (33 goals, 74 assists) from the blueline. His transition to the professional ranks appears seamless, and with a likely spot on the Flames` opening night roster – especially if veteran blueliner Rasmus Andersson departs – Parekh could surprise many. A defenseman winning the Calder is less common, but Parekh`s offensive output could make him a compelling contender, proving that rookies on the back end can be just as impactful.

The Vezina Trophy: Guarding the Gate

The Vezina Trophy, recognizing the NHL`s best goaltender, has found a comfortable home in Winnipeg for the past two seasons, thanks to the heroics of Connor Hellebuyck. His back-to-back wins, including a Hart Trophy-winning campaign in 2024-25, make him the undisputed king of the crease. But even kings can be challenged, and the field chasing Hellebuyck is as talented as it is determined to snatch the crown.

Favorite: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)

To state that Connor Hellebuyck is the favorite is merely to acknowledge reality. Fresh off consecutive Vezina wins and a Hart Trophy, his 2024-25 season stats – a staggering 47-12-3 record, 2.00 goals-against-average (GAA), and a .925 save percentage (SV%) – speak volumes. Hellebuyck embodies consistency and dominance, capable of single-handedly stealing games. Until another netminder proves capable of dethroning this seemingly unshakeable monarch of the crease, the Vezina remains Hellebuyck`s to lose. A hat trick of Vezinas? For Hellebuyck, it appears to be a reasonable expectation.

Under the Radar: Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames)

Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf quickly established himself as a future star, finishing second in the Calder Trophy race after an impressive rookie campaign. Taking over as Calgary`s No. 1 after Jacob Markstrom`s trade, Wolf posted a respectable 29-16-8 record with a 2.64 GAA and a .910 SV% – tying for ninth among all NHL goalies. For a second-year professional, challenging for the Vezina would be a monumental feat, but Wolf`s evident talent and the Flames` potential for an improved defensive structure could certainly put him in the conversation. The sophomore slump is a myth for some, and Wolf looks poised to be one of them.

Longshot: Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers)

Like a fine vintage, Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky seems to improve with age. The veteran netminder played a pivotal role in the Panthers` Stanley Cup victory, showcasing his elite capabilities throughout the 2024-25 season with a 33-19-2 record, a 2.44 GAA (fifth-lowest in the league), and a .905 SV%. When “Bob” is dialed in, few goalies are more formidable. While Hellebuyck`s consistency is tough to beat, a slight dip from the favorite or another red-hot, Cup-winning performance from Bobrovsky could dramatically shift the odds in his favor. Never count out a goalie who knows what it takes to win when it truly matters.

The Norris Trophy: The Blueline Architects

The Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL`s best defenseman, frequently highlights the offensive marvels from the blueline, though defensive acumen is theoretically part of the criteria. Colorado Avalanche sensation Cale Makar has asserted his dominance in this category, capturing two of the last four awards. Yet, the field is rich with talent, proving that while Makar may be the king, capable challengers are always lurking, ready to construct their own case.

Favorite: Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

Cale Makar enters the 2025-26 season as a heavy favorite for the Norris, and for good reason. He is arguably the most electrifying offensive defenseman in the game, capable of single-handedly changing the momentum of a game with his skating, vision, and shot. His career-best 92 points (30 goals, 62 assists) in 2024-25, leading all defensemen in virtually every offensive category, underscore his unparalleled impact. With double-digit goals in five of his six professional seasons, Makar isn`t just a defenseman; he`s an offensive engine. Until someone consistently outpaces his remarkable output, the Norris seems destined to pass through Denver, a rather familiar route by now.

Under the Radar: Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)

While Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes often holds the second-best odds behind Makar, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski deserves significant consideration as one of the league`s premier blueliners. After a challenging, injury-shortened 2022-23 campaign, Werenski has been on a remarkable ascent, accumulating 139 points over the past two seasons, including a career-high 82 points and 23 goals in 2024-25. His offensive production from the back end is undeniable, offering strong value. If Makar or Hughes encounter any struggles, Werenski is perfectly positioned to seize the narrative and make a serious Norris Trophy push, proving that you don`t always need to be on a Cup contender to earn individual recognition.

Longshot: Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers)

The Norris Trophy, whether we admit it or not, often heavily weighs offensive statistics, which plays perfectly into the hands of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard. A gifted playmaker with a booming shot, Bouchard has notched 32 goals over the past two seasons and even finished fifth in Norris Trophy voting in 2023-24. His statistics are undoubtedly enhanced by playing alongside offensive dynamos like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman on the Oilers` power play. While a longshot, Bouchard`s offensive contributions are significant, and should the Oilers embark on another deep playoff run with him quarterbacking the power play, his name will certainly enter the discussion. After all, sometimes it`s about being in the right place, with the right teammates.

The release of pre-season award odds offers more than just betting lines; it provides a framework for the narratives that will unfold over a grueling 82-game schedule. These predictions, while rooted in recent performance and undeniable talent, are merely a starting point. The beauty of the NHL lies in its unpredictability, the emergence of unexpected heroes, and the sheer tenacity required to maintain elite performance. As the 2025-26 season draws near, the stage is set for these hockey titans to prove their mettle, challenge expectations, and carve their names into the league`s storied history, offering fans a season of individual excellence alongside team triumphs.