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

Now that we have actually looked at some of the top teams in the league and my 4 preferred NHL teams to win the Stanley Cup and their conferences, it is time to dig into the NHL awards. I absolutely like these markets, particularly rookie of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down 2 of the 4 awards which I think have the most value and variation season over season. We'll look at my favorite choice for these awards and a runner up.


With puck drop just 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 gamer props, game scripts and bets to keep your bankroll rolling for the entire NHL season. But first, let's dissect the upcoming 2025-2026 NHL season, and see how much of the script we can solve.


Make certain 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 overalls and gamer props in the Betting News NHL future bet series.


1. Calder Trophy (top rookie): 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 marketplace has Demidov as the early, fairly heavy preferred after a buzzy late-season launching (objective + help in his first NHL video game, power-play use in the playoffs) and he'll now spend a complete 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 skill set fits easily into a top-six function that need to 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 an unique gamer who just fell in the 2024 NHL draft because of his nationality and the unknowns of Russian gamer's determination to come to North America. Demidov had 19 goals and 49 points in his first full season in the KHL, proving he can already play with men. He might be the most ready to bet the caliber of players in the NHL out of all the novices, making him an excellent NHL futures bet.


Roster context that assists: Habs' depth chart points to Demidov getting real power-play time on a group that's trending up after last spring's playoff push; a 60-point rookie year is within reach if release sticks. While Montreal just had the 17th most goals for per 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 may not always see the oppositions leading defensemen.


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


Calgary's 2024 ninth-overall choice is an offending defenseman who scored 107 points in 61 OHL video games last year and even scored in his NHL debut. If he lands PP1 in time, he has the toolkit to spike counting statistics as a novice blueliner-excellent long-odds equity. Parekh has the type of eye popping offending abilities that are reminiscent of Erik Karlsson or in 2015's Calder winner Lane Hutson.


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


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


Why it's a strong bet: Makar just won the 2025 Norris in a landslide after a historical 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 effect and power-play usage is exactly what wins this award consistently. Even with Colorado's forward group reshuffling after Mikko Rantanen's departure, Makar stays stapled to Nathan MacKinnon on PP1 and will 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 deserved offered the profile and repeat potential, making him a top NHL futures best bet.


Roster context that assists: Colorado still a loaded PP1 (MacKinnon-Nichushkin-Necas with Makar up top), and Bednar leans hard on Makar in all circumstances. That keeps the counting stats (and the "best defenseman" eye test) flowing. We understand that the Norris award typically suggests "the top scoring defenseman" and Colorado ranked 3rd in objectives for per game played and had the 7th finest power play. This all bodes well for Makar to put up big numbers once again.


The Avalanche look a bit deeper on paper this season. Yes they lost Rantanen, today Necas will have a complete season on the team and they get their captain Landeskog back. Plus the addition of Brock Nelson as a real second line center will cause match fits for other groups.


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


Werenski ended up 2nd in voting last year and posted 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 distress the favorites at a juicier cost. Now the Blue Jackets are a very young team, and could take an action back from the 7th ranked team for objectives for per game. But they are loaded with young players who might simply as easily take another action forward. If this offense can keep clicking then Werenski has an opportunity to finish as the top scoring defenseman, making this long shot an NHL futures best bet.