NHL Award: Who’s leading for Hart, Norris, Vezina at Olympic Break?

As the NHL pauses for the Olympic break, the race for end-of-season awards is becoming a bit clearer now.  You can identify the clear leaders for most of the trophies and at least recognize which three players are likely finalists.  With that being said, there’s still time for some movers and shakers in the final 35 games of the regular season.  So let’s take a look at who could offer a generous price during the Winter Games.

Hart Trophy (MVP)

Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche  -225

Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in goals (40) and was atop the points race for much of the season.  At the break, he sits second with 93 points behind Connor McDavid.  MacKinnon is chasing his second Hart trophy after winning in 2023-24, and many of the voters likely have him as the frontrunner.  What makes him important to his team, he has 31 points more than the Avalanche’s second-highest scorer, Martin Necas, who has 62 points.

Macklin Celebrini, Sharks +200

Macklin Celebrini has truly become one of the young faces of the NHL as he sits fourth in scoring with 81 points, 39 points more than the next highest scorer on the Sharks.  The growing conversation around Macklin Celebrini’s NHL MVP buzz and breakout season reflects just how dominant he’s been at only 19 years old.

He’s tied for third in assists (53), has made the Canadian Olympic team, and has scored some highlight-reel goals this season.  Oh, and he’s still just 19 years old.  He’s done everything he can to keep the Sharks in the playoff race.  If he leads San Jose into the postseason and continues to score at an accelerated pace, Celebrini will definitely receive late-season votes.  He’s being compared to Sidney Crosby, who won league MVP in his second season.  Just saying.

Nikita Kucherov, Lightning +425

Don’t count out Nikita Kucherov just yet.  The Lightning star is putting up insane numbers this season, 90 points in just 50 games.  And in the last 27 games, Kucherov has 58 points (18 goals, 40 assists), an eye-popping 2.15 points per game.  He’s won this award once in 2018-19 and is always in the running.  If he continues this torrid pace, Kucherov offers incredible value at the Winter break.

Connor McDavid, Oilers +650

Connor McDavid leads the NHL in scoring, is poised to lead the Oilers to another Cup run, and still remains the best player in the game.  His odds remain a bit high and definitely does offer the best value.  He’s already won the Hart three times, but maybe there’s voter fatigue?  Regardless, you can’t leave him out of the equation, and as long as Edmonton is in the playoffs, McDavid will garner attention for the Hart.

Hart Memorial Trophy Odds

Nathan MacKinnon COL -225

Macklin Celebrini SJ +200

Nikita Kucherov TB +425

Connor McDavid EDM +650

Kirill Kaprizov MIN +20000

Leon Draisaitl EDM +20000

Norris Trophy (top defenseman)

Cale Makar, Avalanche 

He’s already won this award twice and was the heavy favorite to win his third, but it appears the gap between Cale Makar and Zach Werenski has shrunk in recent months.  Makar, who beat Werenski for the Norris last season, has 56 points in 54 games while posting a plus-27 for the Avs.  Makar is playing more than 25 minutes per game in all situations and has been a finalist for the Norris for each of the past five seasons (won in 2022, 2025).

Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets

Some sportsbooks have the Columbus defenseman as a slight favorite at the Olympic break, as Zach Werenski has put up 61 points in 51 games, including 19 goals.  He logs 26:27 of ice time, second-highest in the NHL, and has been the anchor for the Blue Jackets on the back end.  His play has taken off since a coaching change, as Columbus is 10-1 since hiring Rick Bowness.  A playoff push likely helps Werenski’s chances at his first Hart.

Quinn Hughes, Wild

Since being traded to Minnesota, Quinn Hughes has been padding the stats and logging a lot of minutes for the Wild.  The former Canuck has 32 points in 25 games, including 29 assists for a plus-10 rating, and leads the NHL in ice time at 28:16 while barely playing when short-handed.  For the season, Hughes has 55 points in 51 games this season between Minnesota and Vancouver, but the move has lit a fire under the 2023 Norris winner, and if he continues his production, he could make a serious late-season charge.

Norris Trophy Odds 

Cale Makar, COL  

Zach Werenski, CBJ

Evan Bouchard EDM

Lane Hutson MTL

Quinn Hughes MIN

Mortiz Seider DET

Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)

Ilya Sorokin,  Islanders 

Ilya Sorokin leads the NHL in shutouts with six and sits with a record of 19-13-2.  The Islanders’ netminder has a .915 save percentage with a 2.48 goals-against average through 34 games. 

But his numbers are even better since late October, a .927 SA and a 2.08 GAA, along with 16 of his 19 victories.

Andrei Vasilevskiy,  Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy has Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic Division and has 26 wins, second in the NHL, through 36 games.  He has the best goals-against average of 2.14 and the second-best save percentage at .918.  The 2018-19 Vezina winner has been red-hot in 2026 with an 11-0-1 record, a .926 save percentage, and a 1.78 GAA.  He’s also been a finalist five times, including finishing second last season.

John Gibson,  Red Wings

John Gibson is having a resurgent season with Detroit.  He’s 22-11-2 on the season with a .905 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average. While analytically he’s not high on the list, Gibson is still getting the job done with the Red Wings, who are battling for the Atlantic. So far in 2026, Gibson is 9-3-1 with a .925 save percentage. He’ll need a stronger second half to be considered, but at this price, he’s worth a small play.

Vezina Trophy Odds

Ilya Sorokin NYI

Andrei Vasilevskiy TB

Logan Thompson WASH

John Gibson DET

Scott Wedgewood COL