Now that we have actually taken a look at some of the top teams in the league and my four favorite NHL groups to win the Stanley Cup and their conferences, it is time to dig into the NHL awards. I absolutely like these markets, specifically novice of the year (the Calder). Today we will break down 2 more awards which I believe have the most value and disparity season over season. We'll look at my favorite pick for these awards and a runner up.

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

The Stars have actually counted 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 completed 3rd in wins (36) with a 2.59 GAA and.909 SV%, a profile that keeps him on tallies because Vezina citizens still reward wins-especially when they come on a competitor. Dallas again projects as a high-win group after a Western Conference Final run in 2025.

Defense and Special Teams: Dallas returns a strong 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. Destiny likewise completed 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 top two favorites but clearly in the first tier. That's a sweet area for upside without paying the "preferred tax." And at this cost it is simple to see why it's an NHL futures best choice.

The Chalk Option: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg) +350

Hellebuyck is coming off among the great modern-day 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 aim to take the Jack Adams this year by leading the Mammoth to the playoffs

Why it's a strong bet: Voters enjoy a turnaround 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 hang in a playoff spot, Tourigny's narrative heat will spike-he's already a co-favorite at several books at +750. Utah's depth charts/line projections show Tourigny has multiple scoring duos he can ride and a PP that might pop with Keller/Cooley/Peterka.

Roster context that helps: The forward group is measurably deeper than a year ago (extensions for essential 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 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 seems like the Mammoth are all set to reveal the NHL that the franchise is anything however extinct, making this a terrific NHL Best bet.

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 team does not look as strong on paper as the Mammoth, the offset that Buffalo is able to capture a playoff spot could be enough to award the veteran NHL coach the Jack Adams.