NHL 2026-2026 Season Preview - Award Props Pt II

Now that we have actually looked at some of the top teams in the league and my four favorite NHL groups to win the Stanley Cup and their conferences, it is time to go into the NHL awards. I absolutely enjoy these markets, particularly rookie of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down two more awards which I think have the most worth and variation season over season. We'll take a look at my preferred pick for these awards and a runner up.


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


Destiny have actually depended 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 ended up 3rd in wins (36) with a 2.59 GAA and.909 SV%, a profile that keeps him on tallies since Vezina citizens still reward wins-especially when they come on a contender. Dallas again forecasts as a high-win group after a Western Conference Final run in 2025.


Defense and Special Teams: Dallas returns a sturdy 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. The Stars likewise completed top-5 on the penalty kill (~ 82%) and ran a 22% power play, a combo that tilts game script, limits chaos, and assists a goalie's GAA/SV% support.


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


The Chalk Option: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg) +350


Hellebuyck is coming off among the terrific modern 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 Trophy (116 pts). Books have him as the preferred to three-peat, and the Jets' protective environment (structure, shot suppression, and his enormous workload) hasn't meaningfully changed. At ~ +310, you're getting an elite flooring with real repeat probability-rare in goalie futures


2. Jack Adams Trophy (top coach): André Tourigny (Utah) +750 on BetOnline:


Andre Tourigny will want 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 newbie 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 show Tourigny has several scoring duos he can ride and a PP that might pop with Keller/Cooley/Peterka.


Roster context that helps: 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, voters will give Tourigny out of proportion credit. Let's not forget, that the Mammoth just missed out on the playoffs last season, all the while missing two of their top four defensemen for almost 3/4 of the season. This is a young group who was still growing. This season it seems like the Mammoth are ready to show the NHL that the franchise is anything but extinct, making this a great NHL Best choice.


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 up. The Buffalo Sabres haven't 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 enough to award the veteran NHL coach the Jack Adams.