NHL 2026-2026 Season Preview - Award Props Pt I.
Now that we have 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, specifically rookie of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down two of the four 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.
With puck drop simply around the corner it is time to secure some NHL future bets to give you something to root for all season. And don't forget, Betting News will be dropping sharp NHL player props, video game scripts and bets to keep your bankroll rolling for the whole NHL season. But initially, let's dissect the upcoming 2025-2026 NHL season, and see just how much of the script we can solve.
Make sure to keep you eyes out for more NHL future bets pieces here at Betting News. In the next couple weeks we will highlight whatever from NHL awards, group point overalls and gamer props in the Betting News NHL future bet series.
1. Calder Trophy (top novice): Ivan Demidov +200 on BetOnline:
Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens has the toolset to win the Calder
Why it's a strong bet: The market has Demidov as the early, relatively heavy favorite after a buzzy late-season debut (goal + help in his very first NHL game, power-play usage in the playoffs) and he'll now invest a full season riding shotgun with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on scoring lines and power play units. Montreal just produced last year's Calder winner (Lane Hutson), and Demidov's ability set fits cleanly into a top-six role that should yield immediate points-exactly what voters reward.
Top Offensive Instincts: Demidov lit up the KHL before coming over to the NHL late last season. This is a special player who only fell in the 2024 NHL draft because of his citizenship and the unknowns of Russian player's willingness to come to North America. Demidov had 19 goals and 49 points in his very first complete season in the KHL, showing he can already play with males. He may be the most ready to play versus the quality of players in the NHL out of all the novices, making him a fantastic NHL futures bet.
that assists: Habs' depth chart indicate Demidov getting genuine power-play time on a group that's trending up after last spring's playoff push; a 60-point novice year is within reach if deployment sticks. While Montreal just had the 17th most goals for per video game played, this is a number that could sky rocket with more depth. Demidov assists this group's scoring go deeper down the lineup, indicating he may not always see the oppositions top defensemen.
A Sly Option: Zayne Parekh (Flames) +1200.
Calgary's 2024 ninth-overall pick is an offensive defenseman who scored 107 points in 61 OHL games in 2015 and even scored in his NHL launching. If he lands PP1 with time, he has the toolkit to surge counting statistics as a rookie blueliner-excellent long-odds equity. Parekh has the kind of eye popping offending skills that are similar to Erik Karlsson or in 2015's Calder winner Lane Hutson.
2. Norris Trophy (top defenseman): Cale Makar +150 on BetOnline:
Cale Makar is the finest defenseman in the NHL, and seeks to show it when again
Why it's a strong bet: Makar simply won the 2025 Norris in a landslide after a historical 30-goal, 92-point season-he led all defensemen in goals, helps and points, and opened the year with a 13-game point streak. That blend of elite 5-on-5 impact and power-play use is exactly what wins this award repeatedly. Even with Colorado's forward group reshuffling after Mikko Rantanen's departure, Makar stays stapled to Nathan MacKinnon on PP1 and will once again chew big minutes with Devon Toews-the volume and function are as bankable as it gets. Market-wise, books are still pricing him as a clear favorite in the +150 community; short, yes, however should have offered the profile and repeat capacity, making him a top NHL futures best bet.
Roster context that assists: Colorado still predicts a packed PP1 (MacKinnon-Nichushkin-Necas with Makar up top), and Bednar leans hard on Makar in all scenarios. That keeps the counting stats (and the "best defenseman" eye test) flowing. We understand that the Norris award generally indicates "the top scoring defenseman" and Colorado ranked 3rd in objectives for per game played and had the 7th best power play. This all bodes well for Makar to set up huge numbers as soon as again.
The Avalanche look a bit deeper on paper this season. Yes they lost Rantanen, now Necas will have a complete season on the group and they get their captain Landeskog back. Plus the addition of Brock Nelson as a true 2nd line center will cause matchup suitable for other groups.
The Honorable Mention: Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets) +1200
Werenski ended up second in voting in 2015 and published 23-59-82 while leading NHL defensemen in ice time and piling up 298 SOG-if Columbus takes another action, he has the stat line and narrative to distress the favorites at a juicier price. Now the Blue Jackets are a very young team, and might take an action back from the 7th ranked team for objectives for per game. But they are packed with young players who could simply as easily take another action forward. If this offense can keep clicking then Werenski has an opportunity to complete as the top scoring defenseman, making this long shot an NHL futures finest bet.