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Greg Wyshynski
Multiple Authors
As the NHL enters its Winter Olympic break, the awards landscape has become increasingly clear.
Some trophies have distinct frontrunners, while others have a competitive top-three. but, with one notable exception, players still have opportunities to influence these races.
Will the Olympics have an impact? Remember the 2009-10 season when Ryan Miller won the Vezina Trophy while leading Team USA to an overtime loss in the gold medal match at the Vancouver Olympics. While Miller certainly deserved the award in what was undeniably his best NHL season, it’s hard to overlook his 23 out of 30 first-place votes from general managers, which suggests an Olympic influence.
This is something to keep in mind, especially if Macklin Celebrini scores an overtime winner for Canada against the U.S….
Welcome to the NHL Awards Watch for February. We’ve conducted anonymous polls among a diverse range of Professional Hockey Writers Association voters to capture the current direction of award contenders. Our goal was to obtain a wide array of views from across the league.
keep in mind that the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) selects the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke, and Lady Byng finalists, broadcasters choose the Jack Adams, and general managers vote for the Vezina. All stats are sourced from Hockey-Reference.com, Natural Stat Trick, and Evolving Hockey. (Editor’s note: statistics are current through games on Feb. 3)
Jump ahead:
Ross | Richard | Hart
Norris | Selke | Vezina
Calder | Byng | Adams
Art Ross Trophy (points leader)
Click here for the updated point-scoring standings.
Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy
Click here for the updated goal-scoring standings.
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Leader: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Finalists: Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks; Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
This marks the third consecutive month that MacKinnon has led the MVP voting. He has propelled the Avalanche to the top of the NHL standings, although at a somewhat less historic points pace compared to earlier in the season — Stathletes projects the Avs for 117 points.
Personal projections for MacKinnon remain exceptional. Stathletes anticipates he’ll finish with 56 goals, setting a career-high and surpassing Mikko Rantanen’s 55 from 2022-23. Including the Quebec Nordiques’ history, MacKinnon is aiming for Michel Goulet’s 1982-83 record of 57 goals.
“Most even-strength points in the league, plus-44 rating. Yeah, still good,” remarked a voter for MacKinnon.
For his bid at a second Hart Trophy, having won in 2023-24, MacKinnon received 59% of first-place votes from our panelists, an increase from just over 50% last month.
One notable aspect of MacKinnon’s candidacy this season is the gap between him and Colorado’s next-highest scorer, Martin Necas (62 points in 52 games). MacKinnon’s tally of 91 points positions him 29 points ahead. Avalanche fans still smarting over MacKinnon’s 2017-18 loss to Taylor Hall may find this ironic.
Conversely, the gap between Celebrini (81 points in 54 games) and the next top scorer on the Sharks (39 points) is significantly larger. The San Jose center and Canadian Olympian leads his team with 28 goals, 11 more than Will Smith, and commands all forwards in average ice time (21:12). He has done everything possible to keep the Sharks alive in pursuit of a wild-card playoff spot.
This season could solidify Celebrini’s status as a rising star, securing around 24% of first-place votes from our panelists, with the potential for awards recognition. Comparisons to Sidney Crosby will persist if Celebrini also captures the league MVP in his second season, much like Crosby did in 2006-07.
There is, however, one significant caveat that could hinder his candidacy: Celebrini’s contributions may not lead to a playoff berth for his team.
“Celebrini is noteworthy, but the Sharks need to secure a playoff position to earn my vote,” noted one voter who excluded him from their top three.
“If the Sharks were in a playoff position, I might lean towards Macklin Celebrini. But MacKinnon still holds the edge due to both his talent and the Avalanche’s consistent performance,” remarked a MacKinnon supporter.
Kucherov rounds out the finalists with around 12% of the first-place votes, just slightly ahead of Connor McDavid this month.
The Tampa Bay star grabbed attention during the Stadium Series, but the statistics reveal the story: In his last 27 games, Kucherov amassed 58 points (18 goals, 40 assists), averaging an impressive 2.15 points per game. Kucherov (90) trailed McDavid (95) in total points heading into Wednesday’s matchups but held the NHL lead in points-per-game average (1.80). McDavid was the sole player to secure a first-place vote, as he continues to lead the NHL in points in pursuit of his sixth scoring title. even with the Oilers’ challenges, McDavid typically provides the solution. Since December 1, he has accumulated 59 points over 31 games, 12 more than Leon Draisaitl.
McDavid fell out of the top three after previously ranking second in the voting last month, highlighting the competitive nature of this race.
“This is no longer a slam dunk for Nathan MacKinnon, at least for the time being. Connor McDavid is exhibiting typical excellence in Edmonton, and Nikita Kucherov continues to rack up points in Tampa,” commented a MacKinnon voter.
Other candidates mentioned for the Hart by our panelists include Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar.
Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
Leader: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Finalists: Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild; Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets.
Similar to previous seasons, these three are once again finalists for the award. Makar claimed the Norris last season, finishing ahead of Werenski and Hughes. A notable change this year is Hughes’s shift from the underperforming Vancouver Canucks to the surging Wild, which could impact the voting.
but, the Norris is currently Makar’s to lose.
The Colorado defenseman boasts 56 points in 54 games this season and maintains a plus-27 rating while averaging 25:05 in ice time across all situations. Makar has been a Norris finalist for five consecutive seasons, winning the award twice (2022, 2025).
This month, he received around 53% of the first-place votes, a notable decrease compared to his previous leading margins and his unanimous selection in December. Werenski is a significant factor in this shift.
“It’s still Cale Makar, but the competition closer than it seems, particularly with Zach Werenski in the rearview,” a voter noted.
Werenski has tallied 61 points in 51 games, including 19 goals. He ranks second in average ice time (26:27) and contributes in all scenarios. His play has been vital for the Blue Jackets, who are emerging as a competitive team in the Eastern Conference under new coach Rick Bowness, though they are not a playoff-bound team.
“If the Blue Jackets were in a playoff race, Werenski would deserve serious consideration. As it stands, Makar remains clearly superior,” declared one Makar supporter.
Werenski garnered about 35% of the first-place votes.
Hughes was the only other defenseman to garner first-place votes, making a strong case with 32 points in 25 games and an impressive plus-10 rating since the trade. Overall, Hughes has accumulated 55 points in 51 games this season between Minnesota and Vancouver. especially, Hughes averages a mere five seconds of shorthand ice time per game, setting him apart from his counterparts.
One defenseman to watch is Seider of the Red Wings, who has established himself as a solid player but may lack the eye-catching point total (37 points in 57 games) to wow voters. Expect calls for a “defensive defensemen” award.
Calder Trophy (top rookie)
Leader: Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders
Finalists: Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens; Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota Wild
Typically, when an award is widely recognized, we analyze contenders based on their wider ballot support. but, this can become tricky when the ballots indicate only one name:
“Calder: Schaefer, Schaefer and Schaefer.”
The Islanders’ 18-year-old rookie sensation has recorded 39 points in 57 games, skating to a plus-7 rating. The No. 1 pick from last summer’s NHL draft is averaging 24:05 on ice per game, contributing on both the penalty kill and the power play.
Schaefer stands nine goals and 17 points ahead of Carolina rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin (22 points in 55 games), and no other rookie forward or defenseman approaches his ice time average.
Having received 85% of first-place votes last month, Schaefer is now the unanimous selection.
“Incredible how exceptional he has been as a teenager playing arguably the most challenging position in hockey,” remarked one voter.
“Schaefer is likely the only certain pick on any ballot. No notes, and no slight to Demidov: Schaefer’s performance as an 18-year-old D-man is astonishing,” another added.
Ivan Demidov, however, could introduce some competition. After 56 games, he led the rookie points race (46) over Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks (44 points, with an NHL-best 18 goals among rookies). Entering the NHL with significant anticipation, winning the rookie scoring race might add complexity.
As one voter highlighted: “Schaefer, just barely ahead of Ivan Demidov, with Fraser Minten challenging Beckett Sennecke for the third place.”
Minten is a center for the Boston Bruins with 29 points in 56 games this season.
“Demidov has been impressive recently, but Schaefer continues to log major minutes successfully. His potential historic season as an 18-year-old defenseman cannot be understated, as he handles the hardest minutes of any rookie,” explained one voter.
Wallstedt, often called the Wall of St. Paul, has emerged as the best goalie in a competitive rookie goaltender pool. After a dominant start to the season, the Minnesota goalkeeper settled into a record of 14-5-4, with a .914 save percentage and a 2.72 goals-against average. Though he might play limited games as the clear No. 2 behind Filip Gustavsson, he garnered enough attention to secure his spot as the third choice here.
Due respect to the other rookies: Schaefer remains the heaviest favorite in the NHL awards races at the moment.
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
Note: The NHL’s general managers vote for this award.
Leader: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Finalists: John Gibson, Detroit Red Wings; Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders
No award has seen a more notable transformation than the Vezina, with all three finalists from last month’s NHL Awards Watch being replaced by newcomers. Logan Thompson (Capitals), last month’s leader, along with Jesper Wallstedt (Wild) and Scott Wedgewood (Avalanche) have exited the scene.
Vasilevskiy captured around 59% of the first-place votes, playing a crucial role in powering the Lightning to the top of the Atlantic Division. Over 36 games, he has posted a record of 26-7-3, a .918 save percentage, and a 2.14 goals-against average. According to Money Puck, he has saved an additional 19.6 goals above expected, ranking second in the NHL this season.
The Lightning goalie has been on a formidable roll in 2026, with an 11-0-1 record while sporting a .926 save percentage and a 1.78 GAA.
Having won the Vezina once in 2018-19, Vasilevskiy has been a finalist five times, finishing second in last season’s voting.
“He leads the league in GAA, save percentage, and ranks second in wins, and he’s undoubtedly the best goalie pugilist around,” remarked one voter following the Stadium Series game.
“The Big Cat is back, and he and the Lightning are looking like a finely tuned machine again,” another affirmed.
but, Vasilevskiy’s position is not unassailable.
“I’ve got Vasilevskiy leading by the narrowest of margins. This looks to be a two-horse race between him and Ilya Sorokin,” commented one voter.
Sorokin earned around 35% of the first-place votes, registering a record of 19-13-2 with a .915 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average in 34 games. Money Puck puts him at 26 goals saved above expected, ranking first in the NHL this season. especially, he also holds a league-leading six shutouts.
Gibson was the only other goalie to receive first-place votes from our panel. The Red Wings’ netminder has a record of 22-11-2 this season, with a .905 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average. While analytics offer a less flattering view of him, Gibson still has a 9-3-1 record with a .925 save percentage since January 1.
Our voters also mentioned Thompson from the Capitals and Carolina’s goaltending hero Brandon Bussi.
Selke Trophy (best defensive forward)
Leader: Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens
Finalists: Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars; Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov is back on the ice and might rejoin the Panthers this regular season. Unfortunately, he won’t have enough time to vie for his third consecutive Selke Trophy, especially with Suzuki amassing votes this season, possibly signaling his moment to shine.
The Canadiens forward secured around 53% of first-place votes for the Selke from our panel, up from 30% last month, marking his third straight month leading the category. The Habs concede only 1.91 goals per 60 minutes with Suzuki present. He wins 49.4% of his faceoffs while also contributing on the penalty kill.
“Suzuki continues to impress,” stated one voter.
“His evolution into a two-way player is commendable. He’s an heir to Barkov and [Patrice] Bergeron’s title,” another voter added.
Hintz has never been a Selke finalist, with his best rank being sixth in 2023-24. The Dallas forward consistently showcases his strong defensive play, as the Stars allow only 1.67 goals against per 60 minutes, boasting a .930 team save percentage with him on the ice. even if his shorthanded time is limited (33 seconds per game on average), his stellar 5-on-5 play, along with a 59.2% faceoff-winning rate, stands out.
Both Hintz and Reinhart obtained around 12% of the first-place votes behind Suzuki. The Panthers’ forward was the runner-up to teammate Barkov for the award last season, marking his first-time finalist status. This season has been a tough journey for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, yet Reinhart performs well, particularly excelling in shorthanded scenarios (averaging 2:04 per game).
Additional Selke first-place votes were cast for Lightning center Anthony Cirelli, Flyers forward Noah Cates, Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas, and Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon.
“He’s defensively sound while consistently scoring,” noted the MacKinnon voter.
Players suggested further down the ballot for the Selke included Vegas center Jack Eichel.
Lady Byng Trophy (gentlemanly play)
This is the segment where I argue that the Lady Byng Trophy should be voted on by the league’s on-ice officials or the NHL Players’ Association rather than the PHWA.
Typically, this award is presented to a player ranked in the top-20 for points while having the fewest penalty minutes among those players.
Among the leading candidates are Florida’s Sam Reinhart (54 points in 55 games with 8 PIMs), Montreal’s Nick Suzuki (65 points in 56 games with 10 PIMs), and Vegas center Jack Eichel (64 points in 48 games with 10 PIMs).
Jack Adams Award (best coach)
Note: The NHL Broadcasters’ Association votes on this award.
Leader: Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning
Finalists: Lane Lambert, Seattle Kraken; Dan Muse, Pittsburgh Penguins
Cooper’s win of the Jack Adams wasn’t due to his Tony Montana outfit for the NHL Stadium Series game in Tampa. He earned this honor by successfully leading the Lightning through significant injury challenges to secure the top position in the division. plus, the fact that many consider him the NHL’s premier coach, yet he has never won the Jack Adams despite two Stanley Cup victories and four conference championships in his 1,015 games with the Lightning, is striking.
Our panelists bestowed him with an impressive 82% of the first-place votes, and yes, they appreciated his outfit.
“It’s Jon Cooper, not merely for his gangster attire in the outdoor game,” one voter noted.
“How many coaches could have confidently donned that Stadium Series outfit? None, just like the number of Jack Adams awards he has received throughout his career,” another remarked.
“The Winter Classic solidified it for Coop. With the Tony Montana costume, sticking with Vasilevskiy after he allowed five goals for the memorable goalie fight, and ultimately winning in a shootout. Plus, Tampa has won 17 of 19 games despite key injuries,” a voter added.
Muse has a strong case reminiscent of classic Jack Adams nominees: a first-year coach transforming a team many believed would miss the playoffs into a postseason contender. His work with the Penguins’ supporting cast has caught voters’ attention, earning him around 12% of the first-place votes.
Lambert received first-place support for similar success with the Kraken, positioning them as a playoff contender. His story also serves as redemption after a challenging first stint as head coach with the Islanders.
Other coaches mentioned in the voting included Jared Bednar of the Avalanche, who was a finalist last month along with Ducks coach Joel Quenneville. It would not be surprising if Bednar missed out on coach of the year honors during a season where Cooper takes home the award, considering how Cooper has often been overlooked for it due to the high caliber of his teams.
“Bednar might take the award, but Cooper’s ability to lead the Lightning through myriad challenges deserves the Jack Adams recognition. The Stadium Series outfit further strengthens his case,” one voter commented.
Other coaches noted for their efforts included Todd McLellan of the Red Wings; Rod Brind’Amour of the Hurricanes; and Lindy Ruff of the Sabres, who may gain further attention next month if Buffalo continues its momentum.
