Now that we have looked at some of the leading groups in the league and my 4 favorite NHL groups to win the Stanley Cup and their conferences, it is time to dig into the NHL awards. I definitely enjoy these markets, specifically novice of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down two more awards which I believe 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 (leading goalie): Jake Oettinger +1500 on BetOnline:

Destiny have actually depended on Oettinger in net all season long and he might be the leading 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 due to the fact that Vezina citizens still reward wins-especially when they come on a competitor. Dallas again predicts 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 in 2015) with Esa Lindell locked up-continuity that matters for shot suppression and net-front control. The Stars also finished top-5 on the penalty kill (~ 82%) and ran a 22% power play, a combination that tilts game script, limits chaos, and helps 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 but clearly in the very first tier. That's a sweet area for upside without paying the "preferred 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 one of the terrific modern goalie seasons-and a Vezina/Hart double-after leading the league in wins (47 ), publishing a 2.00 GAA and.925 SV%, and backstopping Winnipeg to the Presidents' Trophy (116 pts). Books have him as the preferred to three-peat, and the Jets' protective environment (structure, shot suppression, and his enormous work) hasn't meaningfully changed. At ~ +310, you're getting an elite floor with genuine repeat probability-rare in goalie futures

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

Andre Tourigny will look to take the Jack Adams this year by leading the Mammoth to the playoffs

Why it's a strong bet: Voters enjoy a turn-around story, and Utah has the active ingredients: a swelling young core (Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, plus newcomer J.J. Peterka) and genuine momentum. If the Mammoth await 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 multiple scoring duos he can ride and a PP that could pop with Keller/Cooley/Peterka.

Roster context that helps: The forward group is measurably much 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 4 defensemen for almost 3/4 of the season. This is a young group who was still growing. This season it feels like the Mammoth are prepared to reveal the NHL that the franchise is anything but extinct, making this a terrific NHL Best choice.

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