The offseason dust has settled, rosters are set, and with training camps on the horizon, it’s time to examine the betting landscape for the 2025-26 NHL awards. While the usual suspects dominate the odds boards, savvy bettors know that value can be found beyond the favorites. Let’s break down each major award with an eye toward smart betting opportunities and potential longshot winners.
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
The Favorite:
Connor McDavid (+200) leads the pack once again, and for good reason. The Edmonton Oilers superstar has won the Hart Trophy twice in the past five seasons and remains the most dominant force in hockey. Coming off back-to-back Stanley Cup Final losses, McDavid could be more motivated than ever to capture individual hardware. However, at +200, there’s limited value here given he hasn’t won since 2020-21.
Value Play:
Auston Matthews (+1900) presents intriguing value at nearly 20-to-1. With Mitch Marner now in Vegas, Matthews will be shouldering an even heavier offensive load for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The center already has a Hart Trophy on his résumé from his 60-goal campaign in 2021-22, and being forced to carry Toronto’s offense could generate the kind of MVP-caliber numbers that catch voters’ attention. At these odds, Matthews offers significantly better value than the more obvious picks like Nathan MacKinnon (+400) or Nikita Kucherov (+400).
Longshot to Watch:
Mitch Marner (+6000) is a fascinating longshot after his blockbuster move to the Golden Knights. Playing alongside Jack Eichel on a Stanley Cup contender, Marner is coming off his first 100-point season (27 goals, 75 assists). If he explodes in Vegas and the Golden Knights dominate, 60-to-1 odds could look incredibly generous come springtime.
Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
The Favorite:
Ivan Demidov (+280) is the consensus favorite, and rightfully so. The Montreal Canadiens’ 2024 fifth overall pick already showed flashes of brilliance in limited action last season, scoring in his NHL debut. His elite vision and hockey IQ make him a strong bet to lead all rookies in scoring, especially if the Canadiens make a playoff push with their improved roster featuring newly-acquired Noah Dobson.
Value Play:
Michael Misa (+1200) offers excellent value if he cracks the San Jose Sharks’ opening night roster. The second overall pick from the 2025 draft dominated the OHL with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) with Saginaw. At 12-to-1, Misa could be a steal if he transitions smoothly to the NHL level.
Longshot to Watch:
Zayne Parekh (+2100) is an offensive defenseman in the Lane Hutson mold, and we just saw Hutson win the Calder in 2024-25. Parekh scored in his NHL debut with Calgary and posted 107 points in the OHL. If the Flames trade Rasmus Andersson and give Parekh top-pairing minutes and power-play time, these 21-to-1 odds could pay off handsomely.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender)
The Favorite:
Connor Hellebuyck (+310) has won the Vezina in back-to-back seasons and added a Hart Trophy in 2024-25. His 47-12-3 record with a 2.00 GAA and .925 save percentage was historically dominant. However, at +310, the value is questionable for a goaltender trying to three-peat, something that hasn’t been done since Dominik Hasek (1997-99).
Value Play:
Dustin Wolf (+1500) is the smart value bet here. The Calgary Flames rookie finished second in Calder voting after posting a 29-16-8 record with a 2.64 GAA and .910 save percentage. His save percentage ranked ninth in the NHL, impressive for a first-year starter. If Wolf takes the next step in his sophomore season, 15-to-1 odds provide tremendous value.
Longshot to Watch:
Sergei Bobrovsky (+1900) continues to defy Father Time. The Florida Panthers’ veteran backstop posted 33 wins with a 2.44 GAA for the Stanley Cup champions. His goals-against average was fifth-best in the league, and when Bobrovsky is locked in, he’s as good as anyone. At nearly 20-to-1, there’s excellent value on a proven commodity.
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)
The Favorite:
Cale Makar (+135) is a heavy favorite after winning two of the past four Norris Trophies, including 2024-25. His career-best 92 points led all defensemen in every major category. Makar is the most electrically offensive defenseman in hockey, but at -135, you’re laying significant juice for a player who could face voter fatigue.
Value Play:
Zach Werenski (+950) is the standout value pick in this category. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ blue-liner posted career-highs with 82 points and 23 goals in 2024-25. Over the past two seasons, he’s accumulated 139 points, establishing himself among the elite offensive defensemen. At nearly 10-to-1, Werenski offers tremendous value if he maintains this trajectory, especially considering Quinn Hughes is the second choice at just +200.
Longshot to Watch:
Evan Bouchard (+3000) benefits from playing alongside Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman. The Edmonton Oilers defenseman has scored 32 goals over the past two seasons and finished fifth in Norris voting in 2023-24. While he’s unlikely to win, 30-to-1 odds offer excellent value for a player who could easily finish top-three in voting.
Rocket Richard Trophy (Leading Goal Scorer)
While specific odds weren’t extensively available, Auston Matthews is reportedly favored around +325, with Leon Draisaitl close behind at +315. Matthews has won the Rocket Richard twice before, including his 60-goal masterpiece, and with increased responsibility could challenge for 50-plus goals again.
For value, look to younger goal-scorers who might be overlooked in the odds. Players breaking out on scoring lines could provide longshot opportunities as the season develops.
Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)
Recent reports suggest the race is wide open, with Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov attempting to fend off challenges from Sam Reinhart and Anthony Cirelli. This is typically the most difficult award to predict from a betting standpoint, as defensive metrics vary and voters often gravitate toward recognizable names. Unless you see exceptional value, this award is best avoided for betting purposes.
Final Betting Strategy
The key to NHL awards betting is identifying players whose situations have changed or who are poised for breakout campaigns. Here are the smartest plays for the 2025-26 season:
Best Value Bets:
– Auston Matthews for Hart Trophy (+1900)
– Zach Werenski for Norris Trophy (+950)
– Dustin Wolf for Vezina Trophy (+1500)
Worthwhile Longshots:
– Mitch Marner for Hart Trophy (+6000)
– Zayne Parekh for Calder Trophy (+2100)
– Evan Bouchard for Norris Trophy (+3000)
Favorites Worth Backing:
– Ivan Demidov for Calder Trophy (+280) – This is the one favorite offering reasonable value given his elite skillset and opportunity.
Remember, awards betting is a marathon, not a sprint. These odds will shift dramatically throughout the season based on performance, injuries, and team success. The smart bettor identifies value early and potentially hedges positions as odds shift. With the 2025-26 season on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to lock in your awards picks before the puck drops.