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.
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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).
