Who is leading the Hart Trophy race?

Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche holds the lead with 47% of first-place votes from PHWA members. He leads the league in points with 104 in 61 games, including 43 goals, and drives the Avalanche's success at even strength with a plus-55 rating. His performance positions him for a potential second Hart Trophy, with voters praising his dominance.

What are the frontrunners for the Norris Trophy?

Cale Makar and Zach Werenski are tied for the lead with 41% first-place votes each. Makar boasts 66 points, elite metrics, and high ice time, while Werenski leads Columbus with 65 points and extensive minutes. The race remains close with Quinn Hughes in third.

Who is the top candidate for the Calder Trophy?

Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders is the unanimous leader, receiving every first-place vote. At 18 years old, he has 46 points, significant ice time, and seven power-play goals, making him second in team scoring. His impact has turned the Islanders into contenders.

Who leads the Vezina Trophy voting?

Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning leads with 53% first-place votes, backed by a strong record and solid goals saved above expected. He has been crucial to Tampa's success following injuries. Ilya Sorokin and Logan Thompson follow closely.

What is the status of the Selke Trophy race?

Nick Suzuki leads with 59% first-place votes for the fourth straight month, with Montreal's strong defensive metrics on ice. Jordan Staal and Nathan MacKinnon are tied behind him. Suzuki's emergence as a finalist is a highlight of the season.

How do playoff chances affect the awards?

Playoff positioning is heavily influencing voter decisions, especially for players like Macklin Celebrini on the Sharks. Teams like the Sharks, Blue Jackets, and Islanders are testing definitions of player value. Voters consider how much worse teams would perform without their stars.

NHL Awards Watch March 2026: MacKinnon Leads Hart, Makar-Werenski Norris Duel, Schaefer Calder Favorite

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone, kicking off the final sprint toward the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. Standings battles will now heavily influence voter decisions for the league’s top awards. This month’s poll of Professional Hockey Writers Association members reveals tight races across the board, with playoff positioning playing a bigger role than ever.

Young stars are making waves, particularly San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, whose performance could vault him into the MVP conversation if his team sneaks into the postseason. Veterans like Nathan MacKinnon continue to dominate, while rookies and defensemen are rewriting expectations. As detailed in our February awards watch, momentum has shifted dramatically since then.

Hart trophy: MVP race heats up

Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche remains the frontrunner for the Hart Trophy, securing 47% of first-place votes from PHWA voters. He leads the league with 104 points in 61 games, including a league-high 43 goals. The Avalanche top the standings in points since October, with MacKinnon driving their success at even strength and boasting a plus-55 rating.

“One voter noted, ‘Nathan MacKinnon remains the front-runner for me. Leads the league in even-strength points and has a plus-55 rating.’” His pursuit of a second Hart, after 2023-24, adds intrigue. MacKinnon’s goal pace puts him on track to challenge franchise records, potentially nearing Michel Goulet’s 57 from 1982-83 with the Quebec Nordiques.

Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers are tied for third, each earning strong support. Kucherov has 103 points, leading in points-per-game at 1.78 and towering over teammates like Jake Guentzel by 36 points. McDavid tops the NHL with 108 points in 64 games, his third Hart chase ongoing after 2022-23.

Macklin Celebrini grabbed second-most first-place votes, with 89 points in 61 games—fifth overall and 45 ahead of San Jose’s next scorer, Will Smith. At 19, the sophomore sensation starred for Canada at the 2026 Olympics and is dragging the Sharks toward playoffs. Voters say, “The Sharks wouldn’t be sniffing the playoffs without Celebrini.”

Playoff outcomes could decide this race. “It’s Celebrini if the Sharks somehow rally,” one Kucherov backer noted. Sharks hold a 36.5% chance per Money Puck. For deeper analysis on frontrunners like MacKinnon’s Hart push, check our dedicated breakdown.

Dark horses include New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski, picking up votes for their team-carrying impacts.

Norris trophy: Defensemen duel

Cale Makar and Zach Werenski share the Norris lead with 41% of first-place votes each. Makar has 66 points in 61 games, a plus-33, and elite underlying metrics—67% goals-for at five-on-five. His 25:03 average ice time underscores his dominance.

Werenski, in 55 games, posted 65 points leading Columbus, including 20 goals. Second in NHL ice time at 26:27, he shines in all situations relative to teammates. Olympic gold with Team USA boosted his profile amid Columbus’ playoff charge.

Quinn Hughes ranks third, leading the league in ice time at 27:44 with 63 points across Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks stints. “Cale Makar would still sit in the No. 1 spot for me, but it’s a narrow gap,” one voter said of Hughes and Moritz Seider.

Evan Bouchard leads defensemen points at 72 but faces defensive critiques. Lane Hutson and Schaefer also drew mentions. The race stays fluid with a month left.

“My ballot is on its way to being a repeat of last year,” a Makar supporter said, referencing his 2024-25 win. Werenski counters: “He’s doing more with less around him.”

Calder trophy: Rookie standout

Matthew Schaefer unanimously tops the Calder, every first-place vote his at 18 years old. With 46 points in 64 games, a plus-12, and 24:16 average ice time, he’s second on the Islanders in scoring. No rookie matches his seven power-play goals.

“He has 20 goals from the back and logs over 24 minutes a night,” one voter quipped. His vibe shift made the Islanders contenders.

Beckett Sennecke leads rookies with 51 points and 20 goals for Anaheim Ducks’ surge. Ivan Demidov has 48 points in 62 games for Montreal, once the preseason favorite.

Others like Ben Kindel, Ryan Leonard, and Fraser Minten got nods. “Engrave the plaque,” fans say of Schaefer.

Vezina trophy: Goaltending excellence

Andrei Vasilevskiy leads with 53% first-place votes, 29-10-3 record, and fifth in goals saved above expected (17.8). Tampa’s success owes much to him post-injuries.

Ilya Sorokin follows, leading goals saved (28.1), .914 save percentage. Logan Thompson’s 24.4 GSA and Olympic nod keep him close.

Jeremy Swayman, Brandon Bussi, and Igor Shesterkin earned down-ballot support. “Vasilevskiy is like human duct tape,” one said.

Selke trophy: Defensive forwards

Nick Suzuki leads for the fourth month, 59% first-place votes, Montreal allowing 2.12 goals-against per 60 with him on ice. Never a finalist before, his turn has arrived.

Jordan Staal and Nathan MacKinnon tie at 12%. Staal’s faceoff mastery (55.3%) shines; MacKinnon’s offensive defense yields 75.7% goals-for.

Jack Eichel, Brock Nelson, and Dylan Larkin got first-place nods. Joel Eriksson Ek and others fill ballots.

Other awards: Byng, Adams, Ross, Richard

Jack Eichel (70 points, 10 PIM), Nick Suzuki (74 points, 14 PIM), and Zach Werenski (65 points, 12 PIM) contend for Lady Byng.

Jon Cooper leads Jack Adams with 53% votes, navigating Lightning injuries. Lindy Ruff’s Sabres turnaround (28-5-2 since Dec. 9) earned 28%. Jared Bednar pushes despite Avalanche expectations.

Art Ross and Rocket Richard leaders via ESPN stats: Check points and goals tables.

Playoff push defines the finish

With 20 games left for most, these races hinge on postseason berths. Celebrini’s Sharks, Werenski’s Jackets, and Schaefer’s Islanders test “value” definitions. MacKinnon eyes repeat glory amid Avalanche dominance.

Voters emphasize context: “How different would their team be if their top player were out?” Expect shifts as playoffs near. For full stats, see Hockey-Reference. The sprint promises drama.

NHL Awards Watch: March 2026 Edition