The 2026-27 NHL season is just getting started but it's never too early to start debating the individual awards. theScore's Michael Bradburn, Kyle Cushman, Sean O'Leary, and Josh Wegman weigh in on who they think is deserving of the Hart, Vezina, Norris, and Calder based on how the campaign has gone so far.
Hart Trophy
McDavid will win his fourth career Hart Trophy unanimously if he continues at his current pace. The Edmonton Oilers captain leads the NHL with an astonishing 34 points in 12 games, 10 clear of his linemate Draisaitl, who's second in the league. It's fair to wonder if riding shotgun with McDavid will hurt Draisaitl's Hart Trophy chances this year, as he only received one second-place vote and one third-place vote from our editors despite his torrid start.
The chasers include Kaprizov, who leads the league in goals but might get docked for his lack of two-way impact as a winger. A resurgent start from Matthews puts the 2022 Hart winner firmly in the mix following back-to-back down years. Perhaps we've come to take MacKinnon's brilliance for granted; the Avalanche star only appeared on one of our ballots despite opening the campaign with 21 points in 12 games.
Vezina Trophy
Oettinger ranks third in the league in goals-against average, fourth in save percentage, and second in goals saved above expected, according to both HockeyStats and MoneyPuck. Ullmark and his league-leading .945 save percentage might've received more consideration if he wasn't out with an injury he suffered last Wednesday.
The Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins are arguably the NHL's biggest surprise, and much of their success can be attributed to Swayman's outstanding play. Wallstedt, meanwhile, has proven capable of being a workhorse No. 1 goalie, as he's started 12 of 14 games to begin the season with Filip Gustavsson sidelined by injury.
Norris Trophy
Will this be the year Bouchard's offensive production is potent enough to outweigh his defensive flaws in the eyes of voters? The Oilers stalwart is playing at a 147-point pace and leads all NHL skaters with a plus-17 rating. Any slipups from Bouchard could open the door for Hughes, who's off to an outstanding start in his first full season with the Minnesota Wild.
While Makar is having a quiet campaign by his lofty standards, it's likely a matter of time before he gets going. Fox, the 2021 winner, is back in the Norris conversation after a couple of down years, but he's averaging fewer minutes (22:05) than most contenders. That could hurt his case, especially with workhorses like Schaefer emerging.
Calder Trophy
With no rookie skater truly standing out, goalies are dominating the early Calder conversation. Fowler began the season in the AHL but quickly took over as the Montreal Canadiens' No. 1 goalie, posting a sparkling .942 save percentage in seven games, capped by a 46-save shutout Tuesday. Although Garand has come back to earth a bit lately, he's essentially saved the New York Rangers' season by giving them slightly above-average goaltending with Igor Shesterkin out for the year and veteran backup Joonas Korpisalo also sidelined.
The top two picks in the 2026 draft, McKenna and Stenberg, didn't receive any votes from our editors.
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