Halfway through the 2025-26 NHL season, Colorado Avalanche players Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar lead the races for the Hart and Norris Trophies, respectively, amid their team's torrid start. Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers remains a close challenger in the MVP conversation, while rookie Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders tops the Calder Trophy contenders. The awards landscape shows tight competitions in several categories as the second half approaches.
The 2025-26 NHL season has reached its midpoint, with the Colorado Avalanche emerging as the dominant force in midseason award predictions. As of early January 2026, the Avalanche hold a 31-3-7 record through 41 games, leading the league in goals scored (164) and expected goals share at five-on-five (57.3 percent). This success has propelled their stars to the forefront of individual honors.
Nathan MacKinnon is the frontrunner for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league's most valuable player. He is on pace for 70 goals and 148 points, with the Avalanche outscoring opponents 58-16 at five-on-five when he is on the ice, yielding a plus-42 goal differential. "MacKinnon has played at that level all season," notes CBS Sports analysis. Connor McDavid, who has heated up recently with the Edmonton Oilers, trails closely, narrowing the gap in the scoring race.
For the Norris Trophy, recognizing the top defenseman, Cale Makar leads with 47 points in 41 games, projecting to 94 points. His plus-25 goal differential at five-on-five underscores his impact, though Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings challenges him with a superior expected goals rate (57.8 percent) despite playing on a weaker team. Seider's season features a rare plus-13 offensive rating and plus-12 defensive rating.
In the Calder Trophy race for top rookie, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick, has recorded 12 goals and 16 assists in 42 games, maintaining a plus-12 goal differential at even strength. However, he has faced tougher minutes lately, posting a 42 percent expected goals rate since December 1. Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild is a notable runner-up.
The Vezina Trophy for best goaltender remains wide open, with Jesper Wallstedt's .926 save percentage in 14 games highlighted by some, while others point to Logan Thompson's .914 save percentage as the league's second-highest among starters. For the Jack Adams Award to the top coach, Avalanche bench boss Jared Bednar is favored for guiding his team toward a potential record 138 points.
Other races show intrigue: Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks emerges in Hart discussions, and Charlie Coyle leads Selke Trophy candidates with strong defensive metrics for the Columbus Blue Jackets. As the season progresses, these competitions could shift dramatically.
