As the final horn prepares to sound on the 2025-26 NHL regular season, the debate over who deserves the league’s most prestigious individual honors has reached its peak. With the calendar reading April 13, 2026, and only a handful of games remaining, our panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) voters has submitted their final projections. The latest NHL Awards Watch reveals a season defined by historic offensive outputs, defensive stalwarts reaching new heights, and a rookie class that has defied expectations.
While some races appear to be landslides, others are coming down to the final shift of Game 82. From the Hart Trophy’s battle of superstars to the tight race for the Calder, these ballots represent the definitive look at who will likely be walking across the stage at the NHL Awards ceremony this summer.
Nikita Kucherov Solidifies Hart Trophy Candidacy
In the race for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning has emerged as the clear frontrunner. Throughout the 2025-26 campaign, Kucherov has been the primary engine for a Lightning team that has navigated significant injuries and roster turnover. His ability to control the pace of play and his league-leading point totals have made him the consensus choice among the PHWA panel.
Voters pointed to Kucherov’s consistency as the deciding factor. Unlike other candidates who saw fluctuations in production, Kucherov maintained a torrid pace from October through April. The NHL Awards Watch data highlights that he is not only leading the league in scoring but is also among the leaders in primary assists and power-play efficiency. While Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid have made late-season charges, the panel noted that Kucherov’s impact on the Lightning’s playoff seeding is unparalleled this year.
Zach Werenski Leads the Charge for the Norris Trophy
The James Norris Memorial Trophy race has seen a changing of the guard in 2025-26. Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets has vaulted to the top of the ballot, surpassing perennial contenders like Cale Makar and Adam Fox. Werenski has put together a career-best season, combining elite offensive production with a defensive shutdown capability that has matured significantly over the last 12 months.
According to the NHL Awards Watch finalists' breakdown, Werenski’s workload has been a key metric for voters. He leads all NHL defensemen in even-strength time on ice and has been a fixture on both the top power-play and penalty-kill units. The PHWA panel emphasized his transition game; Werenski’s ability to exit the defensive zone and ignite the rush has become the gold standard for the position. His statistical profile—leading all blueliners in primary assists—combined with a massive jump in his plus-minus rating, makes him the favorite to take home his first Norris Trophy.
Matthew Schaefer and the Race for the Calder
The 2025-26 rookie class has been one of the most competitive in recent memory, but Matthew Schaefer has separated himself from the pack. Leading the Calder Memorial Trophy rankings, the young defenseman has displayed a level of poise and hockey IQ rarely seen in players his age. While high-scoring rookie forwards often dominate this category, Schaefer’s impact on the defensive end has been impossible for voters to ignore.
The PHWA voters highlighted several key factors for Schaefer’s lead:
- Average Time on Ice: Schaefer leads all rookies in total minutes played, often facing the opposition's top scoring lines.
- Defensive Metrics: He ranks in the top percentile for blocked shots and successful zone denials among first-year players.
- Versatility: His ability to anchor a top-four pairing while contributing to the second power-play unit has provided immense value.
While there are several dynamic forwards still in the conversation, the consensus is that Schaefer’s comprehensive 200-foot game gives him the edge as the regular season draws to a close.
Vezina and Selke: Hellebuyck and Barkov Remain the Standard
The race for the Vezina Trophy appears to be Connor Hellebuyck’s to lose. The Winnipeg Jets' netminder has put up staggering numbers, leading the league in Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAE) and high-danger save percentage. In a season where scoring was up across the league, Hellebuyck remained a model of consistency, providing the backbone for one of the Western Conference's most formidable defenses.
Meanwhile, the Frank J. Selke Trophy continues to be synonymous with Aleksander Barkov. The Florida Panthers captain has once again dominated the defensive forward metrics, leading the league in takeaways and faceoff win percentage in the defensive zone. PHWA voters noted that Barkov’s ability to neutralize the league’s top centers remains unmatched, making him the heavy favorite to add another Selke to his trophy case.
Final Verdict on the 2025-26 Regular Season
As we look toward the postseason, the NHL Awards Watch provides a clear reflection of the talent that defined this year. While the official winners won't be announced until the summer, the performance of players like Kucherov, Werenski, and Schaefer has set a high bar for excellence. The 2025-26 season will be remembered for these standout individual efforts that propelled their teams into the playoff hunt and captured the imagination of hockey fans worldwide.
Sources & Original Reporting
