As we approach the final stretch of the 2025-26 NHL season, the award races are tighter than a playoff defensive shell. For bettors, the “Trophy Season” provides a unique market where value shifts with every multi-point night or shutout.
Each trophy carries the weight of hockey history, named after the titans who built the game. Here is a look at the prestigious hardware up for grabs, the legends who defined them, and the modern stars currently leading the betting odds.
For daily betting predictions on the NHL, visit our designated NHL page.
Art Ross Trophy
Named after: Art Ross, the legendary player, inventor, and longtime manager-coach of the Boston Bruins who donated the trophy in 1947.
Record Holder: Wayne Gretzky (10 wins).
The Art Ross is the ultimate measure of offensive consistency, awarded to the player with the most points.
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers): The favorite (+125). McDavid is stalking his 6th Art Ross. After a mid-season surge, he has hit the 110-point mark, reminding bettors why he is rarely a losing bet for this award.
- Past Winner: Yes (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023).
- Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning): Kucherov remains neck-and-neck with McDavid. His ability to rack up multi-assist games on the power play keeps him a high-value threat at +200.
- Past Winner: Yes (2019, 2024, 2025).
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): Currently trailing by just a few points, MacKinnon is the high-volume engine of the league’s most dangerous offense.
- Past Winner: No.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy
Named after: Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in 50 games and the first to reach 500 career goals.
Record Holder: Alex Ovechkin (9 wins).
This trophy is purely for the snipers, awarded to the league’s top goal scorer.
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): MacKinnon has reached the 50-goal plateau early this year. He is the heavy favorite (-450) to secure his first “Rocket.”
- Past Winner: No.
- Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs): While he has dealt with minor injuries this season, Matthews remains the most dangerous pure shooter in the game and is the only realistic threat to catch MacKinnon.
- Past Winner: Yes (2021, 2022, 2024).
- Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers): The defending champion has been incredibly efficient, but he likely needs a 10-goal month in March to reclaim the lead.
- Past Winner: Yes (2025).
Calder Memorial Trophy
Named after: Frank Calder, the first President of the NHL (1917–1943). The award was renamed in his memory after his death.
Record Holder: (Players can only win this award once).
The Calder recognizes the “Rookie of the Year.”
- Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders): The 18-year-old defenseman is the betting lock of the year (-8000). He has shattered records for teenage blueliners and is the clear choice for the voters.
Vezina Trophy
Named after: Georges Vezina, the Hall of Fame Montreal Canadiens goalie who collapsed during a game in 1925 and died of tuberculosis months later.
Record Holder: Jacques Plante (7 wins).
Voted on by the league’s General Managers, this trophy goes to the best goaltender.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning): With a league-leading .924 save percentage, “Vasy” is the frontrunner (-145). He is the anchor of a Lightning team that looks ready for another deep run.
- Past Winner: Yes (2019).
- Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders): Leading the league in shutouts (7), Sorokin is the primary reason the Islanders are in a playoff spot. He offers great value at +180.
- Past Winner: No.
- Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets): The 2024 winner is having another stellar year, though his volume of wins is slightly lower than Vasilevskiy’s this season and is not a favorite to win.
- Past Winner: Yes (2020, 2024, 2025).
James Norris Memorial Trophy
Named after: James E. Norris, the longtime owner of the Detroit Red Wings.
Record Holder: Bobby Orr (8 consecutive wins).
This award goes to the defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-around ability.
- Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche): Makar is the overwhelming favorite (-525). He leads all defensemen in scoring and continues to redefine the position with his skating and offensive instincts.
- Past Winner: Yes (2022, 2025).
- Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets): Werenski has emerged as the clear runner-up, playing massive minutes (26+ per game) and leading a young Columbus team.
- Past Winner: No.
- Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks): The 2024 winner remains an elite playmaker, but his defensive metrics have slightly dipped compared to Makar’s historic pace.
- Past Winner: Yes (2024).
Hart Memorial Trophy
Named after: Dr. David Hart, who donated the original trophy. He was the father of Cecil Hart, a former coach/manager of the Montreal Canadiens.
Record Holder: Wayne Gretzky (9 wins).
The “Big One” – awarded to the player most valuable to his team.
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): The favorite (-190). MacKinnon’s pursuit of the Rocket Richard and the Art Ross simultaneously makes his MVP case almost impossible to argue against.
- Past Winner: Yes (2024).
- Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning): If the Lightning finish top of the Atlantic Division, Kucherov’s “value” to his team might pull votes away from MacKinnon. He is the smart “value” bet at +255.
- Past Winner: Yes (2019).
- Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers): Never count out the best player in the world. If McDavid drags the Oilers to a division title while winning the Art Ross, he could secure his 4th Hart.
- Past Winner: Yes (2017, 2021, 2023).

