Charline Cress opened issue #1: NHL 2026-2026 Season Preview - Award Props Pt...

Charline Cress
2026-04-10T22:34:59Z

Now that we have taken a look at some of the leading teams in the league and my 4 favorite NHL groups to win the Stanley Cup and their conferences, it is time to go into the NHL awards. I absolutely like these markets, particularly rookie of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down two more awards which I believe have the most value and variation season over season. We'll take a look at my preferred pick for these awards and a runner up.

1. Vezina Trophy (top goalie): Jake Oettinger +1500 on BetOnline:

The Stars 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 finished 3rd in wins (36) with a 2.59 GAA and.909 SV%, a profile that keeps him on tallies since Vezina voters still reward wins-especially when they begin a competitor. Dallas again forecasts as a high-win team after a Western Conference Final run in 2025.

Defense and Special Teams: Dallas returns a tough blue line headlined by Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley (Harley published 15G, 47P last year) with Esa Lindell locked up-continuity that matters for shot suppression and net-front control. The Stars also ended up top-5 on the penalty kill (~ 82%) and ran a 22% power play, a combo that tilts video game script, limits turmoil, 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 2 favorites however plainly in the very first tier. That's a sweet area for upside without paying the "favorite tax." And at this cost it is simple to see why it's an NHL futures best option.

The Chalk Option: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg) +350

is coming off among the excellent modern-day goalie seasons-and a Vezina/Hart double-after leading the league in wins (47 ), posting 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 real repeat probability-rare in goalie futures

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

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

Why it's a strong bet: Voters love a turn-around story, and Utah has the components: a swelling young core (Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, plus newbie J.J. Peterka) and real momentum. If the Mammoth await a playoff area, 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 assists: The forward group is measurably much deeper than a year ago (extensions for key centers, the Peterka trade, and internal growth). If Utah clears the playoff bar, citizens will provide Tourigny out of proportion credit. Let's not forget, that the Mammoth simply missed out on the playoffs last season, all the while missing 2 of their leading four 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 show the NHL that the franchise is anything however extinct, making this a great NHL Best bet.

The other playoff hopeful: Lindy Ruff (Buffalo) - +2500. Lindy Ruff remains in a comparable spot to Tourigny, but will have a much steeper hill to climb up. The Buffalo Sabres haven't made the playoffs for 15 years. And while the team does not look as strong on paper as the Mammoth, the offset that Buffalo has the ability to capture a playoff spot might be sufficient to award the veteran NHL coach the Jack Adams.