2026-27 NHL Awards Betting Preview: Odds, Predictions, Best Bets

Calder Memorial Trophy Odds, Prediction, and Betting Pick

While co-favorite Gavin McKenna (+300) brings generational playmaking ability to the Calder Trophy race, Porter Martone (+300) may be the more NHL-ready option. With some NHL experience last year, including the playoffs, Martone has an edge that should translate immediately to the professional level.

Martone’s rise began in the OHL, where he finished his junior career with an impressive 98 points in 57 games for Brampton. He then made the jump to Philadelphia during the regular season and quickly showed he could handle the NHL pace, recording 10 points in just nine regular season games.

What really separates Martone from the rest of the rookie class, though, is already having NHL experience and in meaningful games. He continued to elevate his play in the postseason, scoring two goals and five points in 10 playoff appearances. He also made an immediate impact when the pressure was highest, scoring two goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

WHAT A SHOT 🎯

PORTER MARTONE RIPS ONE HOME IN HIS FIRST EVER GAME IN THE #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFFS!

🇺🇸: @espn
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/OyGrs7AgrV

— NHL (@NHL) April 19, 2026

That postseason experience could give Martone an important advantage over other rookies still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NHL. With a projected top role and opportunities around the net on the power play, Martone has a strong path to producing immediately.

McKenna may have the higher-profile playmaking reputation, but Martone’s combination of size, NHL experience, and ability to deliver in big moments gives him one of the safest goal-scoring floors in this rookie class. At +300, he has a legitimate case as the best bet to win the Calder Trophy.

Hart Memorial Trophy Odds, Prediction, and Betting Pick

Macklin Celebrini (+450) is our pick to win the Hart Memorial Trophy. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon remain the established superstars at the top of the board. Still, Celebrini offers the most intriguing combination of upside and betting value among the leading contenders.

Celebrini is coming off a remarkable 2025-26 campaign in which he recorded 115 points, including 45 goals and 70 assists, in 82 games. The performance established him as one of the NHL’s elite offensive players at just 19, and he finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting.

Macklin Celebrini TIES Joe Thornton for most points in a season in Sharks HISTORY with 114…

AT JUST 19 YEARS OLD 😱😵‍💫 pic.twitter.com/bOmiSXeqIu

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 17, 2026

The biggest reason to back Celebrini is that his value to San Jose is becoming impossible to ignore. During the 2025-26 season, the Sharks were 2-16-3 when he failed to record a point, while Celebrini was directly involved in 47% of the team’s goals.

He also finished with 51 more points than San Jose’s second-leading scorer, illustrating just how much the Sharks relied on their young superstar.

Unlike McDavid and MacKinnon, Celebrini is still ascending. He has already proven he can produce at an MVP level, and another step forward could put him in the 120-point range while potentially helping San Jose take another significant step as a team.

At +450, we’re getting a player with legitimate Hart Trophy-winning upside at a better price than the two established favorites. If Celebrini combines another elite offensive season with meaningful improvement from the Sharks, he has everything needed to become the face of the league and take home his first Hart Memorial Trophy.

James Norris Memorial Trophy Odds, Prediction, and Betting Pick

Quinn Hughes (+400) is our pick to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Cale Makar remains the favorite and will always be difficult to beat, but Hughes offers excellent value as the second choice on the board entering a massive season for his career.

Hughes has already proven he can beat the best defensemen in the league for this award. He won the Norris Trophy in 2024 after leading all NHL defensemen with 92 points, becoming the first player in Vancouver Canucks’ history to take home the honor. That season showed exactly how dominant Hughes can be when everything comes together, and he remains one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive defensemen.

Quinn Hughes' ABSURD playmaking this season isn’t being talked about enough 🍏🔥

(h/t @RussoHockey) pic.twitter.com/kNgpyNcHrY

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 13, 2026

His recent playoff performance only strengthens the case. Hughes finished the 2025-26 postseason with four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 11 games, averaging 1.36 points per game.

That was one of the best scoring rates in the entire NHL playoffs, and he was particularly effective early in Minnesota’s run. Hughes also recorded four assists through his first three playoff games, showing that his offensive impact carries over when the stakes are highest.

The biggest storyline surrounding Hughes entering this season is his contract situation. He is in a contract year, adding another layer of motivation as he looks to secure his next deal. A dominant season could significantly strengthen his value while giving him another opportunity to establish himself as the league’s top defenseman.

At +400, Hughes provides an appealing alternative to Makar. He has already won the award once, just posted an outstanding postseason, and enters a contract year with another opportunity to produce elite offensive numbers in his first full season in Minnesota. Hughes has the resume and the motivation to win his second Norris Trophy.

Rocket Richard Trophy Odds, Prediction, and Betting Pick

Nathan MacKinnon is the favorite at +475, while Cole Caufield and Leon Draisaitl sit right behind him at +550. At that price, Draisaitl offers a combination of proven goal-scoring production and value in the NHL awards odds market that makes him particularly appealing.

Draisaitl has already won the Rocket Richard Trophy twice, establishing himself as one of the NHL’s most reliable goal scorers. He has also reached the 50-goal mark with remarkable consistency, scoring at least 52 goals in three of his last five seasons. That type of sustained production gives him one of the highest floors in this market.

Hockey is an art, and Leon Draisaitl is an artist. 😍 pic.twitter.com/AVDXFYrKJK

— NHL (@NHL) November 5, 2025

With the Oilers looking to get back to their best, he should once again receive heavy minutes in all situations and plenty of opportunities alongside elite playmakers. When Draisaitl is healthy and operating at full strength, few players in the league are better at finishing chances around the net.

The arrival of head coach Mike Babcock also adds an interesting wrinkle. Babcock brings a demanding system and a renewed focus on structure, accountability, and getting the most out of his top players.

If Edmonton can become more consistent as a team, Draisaitl should have plenty of opportunities to capitalize offensively while remaining one of the focal points of the attack.

At +550, we’re getting a former two-time Rocket Richard winner who has already demonstrated that he can score 50-plus goals multiple times. MacKinnon may have the shorter price, but Draisaitl has plenty of appeal for one of the best NHL awards picks this year.

Vezina Trophy Odds, Prediction, and Betting Pick

Bolts’ netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy (+750) stands out as one of the best value NHL awards bets on the Vezina Trophy board. After reclaiming the award last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender has a strong case to repeat, especially with the stability and defensive support he continues to have in front of him.

Vasilevskiy went 39-15-4 in 2025-26 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. The veteran from Russia also led the NHL in wins, showing he can still handle a heavy workload while producing elite results. His track record is difficult to overlook, with six Vezina finalist appearances and a previous win in 2019 and this past season.

A special surprise for Andrei Vasilevskiy! 🏆 #NHLAwards

Andrei Vasilevskiy is the winner of the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender for the second time in his career! pic.twitter.com/mZw1WVXF8I

— NHL (@NHL) June 6, 2026

The situation in Tampa Bay makes the +750 price even more appealing. The Lightning allowed just 2.79 goals per game last season, third-best in the NHL, while surrendering only 26.7 shots per game. Their 82.6% penalty kill also provided Vasilevskiy with strong defensive support when Tampa was shorthanded.

The solid defensive foundation in Tampa allows Vasilevskiy to avoid facing constant high-volume pressure while still giving him opportunities to make the difference on quality scoring chances. Tampa’s overall strength should also help him accumulate wins, which remains an important factor in Vezina voting.

At +750, we’re getting a proven two-time Vezina winner in a stable situation. If Tampa’s defense remains among the league’s best, Vasilevskiy has a legitimate chance to repeat.