NHL 2026-2026 Season Preview - Award Props Pt I.

Now that we have looked at a few of the leading groups in the league and my 4 preferred NHL teams to win the Stanley Cup and their conferences, it is time to go into the NHL awards. I definitely enjoy these markets, particularly novice of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down two of the four awards which I think have the most value 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 lock in some NHL future bets to offer you something to root for all season. And don't forget, Betting News will be dropping sharp NHL player props, game scripts and bets to keep your bankroll rolling for the whole NHL season. But first, 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, team point totals and player props in the Betting News NHL future bet series.


1. Calder Trophy (leading novice): Ivan Demidov +200 on BetOnline:


Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens has the to win the Calder


Why it's a strong bet: The marketplace has Demidov as the early, relatively heavy favorite after a buzzy late-season launching (objective + help in his first NHL game, power-play usage in the playoffs) and he'll now spend a full season riding shotgun with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on scoring lines and power play systems. Montreal simply produced in 2015's Calder winner (Lane Hutson), and Demidov's ability set fits cleanly into a top-six function that ought to yield instant 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 just fell in the 2024 NHL draft due to the fact that of his nationality and the unknowns of Russian player's determination to come to North America. Demidov had 19 goals and 49 points in his first full season in the KHL, showing he can currently play with men. He might be the most ready to play versus the quality of gamers in the NHL out of all the novices, making him a great NHL futures bet.


Roster context that assists: Habs' depth chart points to 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 only had the 17th most goals for per video game played, this is a number that might sky rocket with more depth. Demidov assists this team's scoring go deeper down the lineup, indicating he might not constantly see the oppositions top defensemen.


A Sneaky Option: Zayne Parekh (Flames) +1200.


Calgary's 2024 ninth-overall pick is an offending 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 stats as a novice blueliner-excellent long-odds equity. Parekh has the kind of eye popping offending skills that are reminiscent of Erik Karlsson or in 2015's Calder winner Lane Hutson.


2. Norris Trophy (leading defenseman): Cale Makar +150 on BetOnline:


Cale Makar is the very best defenseman in the NHL, and aims to show it once again


Why it's a strong bet: Makar simply won the 2025 Norris in a landslide after a historic 30-goal, 92-point season-he led all defensemen in goals, assists and points, and opened the year with a 13-game point streak. That mix of elite 5-on-5 impact and power-play use is precisely what wins this award repeatedly. Even with Colorado's forward group reshuffling after Mikko Rantanen's departure, Makar remains 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, but was worthy of offered the profile and repeat potential, making him a top NHL futures best option.


Roster context that assists: Colorado still projects a crammed PP1 (MacKinnon-Nichushkin-Necas with Makar up leading), and Bednar leans hard on Makar in all situations. That keeps the counting statistics (and the "best defenseman" eye test) streaming. We understand that the Norris award generally suggests "the leading 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 install big numbers when 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 real second line center will trigger matchup suitable for other groups.


The Honorable Mention: Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets) +1200


Werenski completed second in voting last year and published 23-59-82 while leading NHL defensemen in ice time and accumulating 298 SOG-if Columbus takes another step, he has the stat line and story to upset the favorites at a juicier rate. Now heaven Jackets are a very young group, and might take an action back from the 7th ranked team for goals for per game. But they are packed with young players who could simply as easily take another advance. If this offense can keep clicking then Werenski has an avenue to finish as the top scoring defenseman, making this long shot an NHL futures best choice.