NHL 2026-2026 Season Preview - Award Props Pt II
Now that we have taken a look at a few of the top teams in the league and my four preferred NHL groups to win the Stanley Cup and their conferences, it is time to go into the NHL awards. I definitely enjoy these markets, particularly rookie of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down 2 more awards which I believe have the most worth and variation season over season. We'll look at my preferred pick for these awards and a runner up.
1. Vezina Trophy (leading goalie): Jake Oettinger +1500 on BetOnline:
The Stars have actually relied on Oettinger in net all season long and he might be the leading goalie this year
Why it's a strong bet: Last season Oettinger ended up 3rd in wins (36) with a 2.59 GAA and.909 SV%, a profile that keeps him on ballots due to the fact that Vezina citizens still reward wins-especially when they begin a contender. Dallas again projects as a high-win group after a Western Conference Final run in 2025.
Defense and Special Teams: Dallas returns a durable blue line headlined by Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley (Harley published 15G, 47P last year) with Esa Lindell locked up-continuity that matters for shot suppression and net-front control. Destiny also ended up top-5 on the charge kill (~ 82%) and ran a 22% power play, a combo that tilts video game script, limitations turmoil, and assists a goalie's GAA/SV% stabilize.
The Price is Right: Most books have Oettinger in the +1200 to +1500 range-outside the top 2 favorites but plainly in the very first tier. That's a sweet area for upside without paying the "preferred tax." And at this rate it is easy to see why it's an NHL futures best option.
The Chalk Option: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg) +350
Hellebuyck is coming off one of the great modern-day goalie seasons-and a Vezina/Hart double-after leading the league in wins (47 ), a 2.00 GAA and.925 SV%, and backstopping Winnipeg to the Presidents' Trophy (116 pts). Books have him as the favorite to three-peat, and the Jets' defensive environment (structure, shot suppression, and his massive work) hasn't meaningfully changed. At ~ +310, you're getting an elite flooring with real repeat probability-rare in goalie futures
2. Jack Adams Trophy (leading coach): André Tourigny (Utah) +750 on BetOnline:
Andre Tourigny will aim to take the Jack Adams this year by leading the Mammoth to the playoffs
Why it's a strong bet: Voters like a turn-around story, and Utah has the ingredients: a swelling young core (Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, plus beginner J.J. Peterka) and genuine momentum. If the Mammoth hang in a playoff spot, Tourigny's narrative heat will spike-he's already a co-favorite at numerous books at +750. Utah's depth charts/line projections reveal Tourigny has multiple scoring duos he can ride and a PP that might pop with Keller/Cooley/Peterka.
Roster context that assists: The forward group is measurably much deeper than a year ago (extensions for crucial centers, the Peterka trade, and internal development). If Utah clears the playoff bar, citizens will offer Tourigny disproportionate credit. Let's not forget, that the Mammoth simply missed out on the playoffs last season, all the while missing out on 2 of their top 4 defensemen for nearly 3/4 of the season. This is a young group who was still growing. This season it feels like the Mammoth are all set to show the NHL that the franchise is anything but extinct, making this a fantastic NHL Best option.
The other playoff hopeful: Lindy Ruff (Buffalo) - +2500. Lindy Ruff remains in a comparable spot to Tourigny, however will have a much steeper hill to climb up. The Buffalo Sabres have not made the playoffs for 15 years. And while the group does not look as strong on paper as the Mammoth, the offset that Buffalo has the ability to capture a playoff area might be sufficient to award the veteran NHL coach the Jack Adams.