NHL 2026-2026 Season Preview - Award Props Pt II

Now that we have taken a look at some of the top teams in the league and my four favorite NHL teams to win the Stanley Cup and their conferences, it is time to dig into the NHL awards. I definitely enjoy these markets, specifically rookie of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down 2 more awards which I believe have the most worth and disparity season over season. We'll look at my favorite pick for these awards and a runner up.


1. Vezina Trophy (leading goalie): Jake Oettinger +1500 on BetOnline:


Destiny have actually counted on Oettinger in net all season long and he could be the top goalie this year


Why it's a strong bet: Last season Oettinger completed 3rd in wins (36) with a 2.59 GAA and.909 SV%, a profile that keeps him on ballots because Vezina voters still reward wins-especially when they begin a competitor. Dallas again forecasts as a high-win team after a Western Conference Final run in 2025.


Defense and Special Teams: Dallas returns a tough blue line headlined by Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley (Harley published 15G, 47P in 2015) with Esa Lindell locked up-continuity that matters for shot suppression and net-front control. The Stars likewise ended up top-5 on the penalty kill (~ 82%) and ran a 22% power play, a combo that tilts video game script, limits chaos, and assists a goalie's GAA/SV% stabilize.


The Price is Right: Most books have Oettinger in the +1200 to +1500 range-outside the leading two favorites however clearly in the first tier. That's a sweet area for upside without paying the "favorite tax." And at this price it is simple to see why it's an NHL futures best choice.


The Chalk Option: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg) +350


Hellebuyck is coming off among the terrific contemporary goalie seasons-and a Vezina/Hart double-after leading the league in wins (47 ), posting 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' protective environment (structure, shot suppression, and his massive workload) hasn't meaningfully changed. At ~ +310, you're getting an elite floor with repeat probability-rare in goalie futures


2. Jack Adams Trophy (top 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 turnaround story, and Utah has the components: a swelling young core (Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, plus beginner J.J. Peterka) and real momentum. If the Mammoth hang in a playoff area, Tourigny's narrative heat will spike-he's already a co-favorite at a number of books at +750. Utah's depth charts/line forecasts reveal Tourigny has several scoring duos he can ride and a PP that could pop with Keller/Cooley/Peterka.


Roster context that assists: The forward group is measurably deeper than a year ago (extensions for essential 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 just missed the playoffs last season, all the while missing 2 of their top four 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 ready to show the NHL that the franchise is anything however extinct, making this a terrific NHL Best bet.


The other playoff hopeful: Lindy Ruff (Buffalo) - +2500. Lindy Ruff remains in a comparable spot to Tourigny, but will have a much steeper hill to climb. The Buffalo Sabres have not made the playoffs for 15 years. And while the team does not look as strong on paper as the Mammoth, the balanced out that Buffalo is able to capture a playoff spot might be adequate to award the veteran NHL coach the Jack Adams.