With the first month of the 2026-27 NHL regular season behind them, clear favorites have emerged for the league's major individual awards. While Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers stand out as undeniable contenders, the Professional Hockey Writers Association has polled its members to gauge the current landscape. The survey, conducted anonymously among a cross-section of league voters, reveals where the wind is blowing for the current leaders, though early frontrunners may not always hold trophies at season's end.
McDavid is the overwhelming favorite for the Hart Trophy, the league's most valuable player award. The Oilers center has secured just over 88 percent of first-place votes in the MVP ballots. His performance has been historic, with 47 points in his first 18 games. This pace of 2.61 points per game would rank as the sixth highest single-season average in NHL history, trailing only specific campaigns by Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. McDavid is seeking his fourth Hart, a milestone shared only by Gretzky, Gordie Howe, and Eddie Shore.
Despite McDavid's dominance, the race is not entirely without competition. Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche and Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild completed the list of finalists. MacKinnon, who won the award in 2024, has 30 points through 18 games. Kaprizov, who has 31 points in 19 games, leads the league in goals among the contenders. One voter noted that while McDavid is the heavy favorite, Kaprizov could narrow the gap as the season progresses. The three finalists represent a Western Conference sweep of the top spots.
In the Norris Trophy race for the top defenseman, Evan Bouchard is the runaway leader with over 83 percent of first-place votes. Following a 95-point season last year, Bouchard has already posted 31 points in 18 games and maintains a plus-24 rating. His offensive output has largely silenced debates regarding his defensive reliability. Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks is the clear second choice, having recorded 26 points in 19 games while averaging significant ice time. Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets is the only other defenseman to receive first-place support, highlighted by his league-leading ice time average.
The Calder Trophy for the top rookie is led by Jacob Fowler of the Montreal Canadiens. The 21-year-old goalie has posted an 8-1-1 record with a .925 save percentage. He is attempting to become the first goalie to win the award since Steve Mason in 2008-09. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard of the Detroit Red Wings and Roman Kantserov of the Chicago Blackhawks are the primary challengers. Brandsegg-Nygard has shown strong on-ice impact, while Kantserov leads the Blackhawks in goals despite the team's offensive struggles.
Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild leads the Vezina Trophy voting for the top goaltender. He has recorded an 11-2-3 record with a 1.99 goals-against average. Pyotr Kochetkov of the Carolina Hurricanes and Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators are the other finalists. Ullmark, despite being limited to eight games due to injury, boasts a 1.33 goals-against average, the best in the league. Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins was the only other goalie to receive first-place votes.
Joel Eriksson Ek of the Minnesota Wild leads the Selke Trophy race for the best defensive forward. He has 17 points in 19 games and a plus-16 rating. Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens are the other finalists, with Suzuki having won the award last season. Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes also received multiple first-place votes.
For the Lady Byng Trophy, which recognizes gentlemanly play, Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is the standout candidate. He has 25 points in 18 games and has not taken a penalty this season. In the Jack Adams Award race for the best coach, Marco Sturm of the Boston Bruins leads the voting. The Bruins have been a surprise team this season, with Sturm receiving much of the credit. Rod Brind'Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes and Travis Green of the Vancouver Canucks are the other finalists.
