McDavid and Bouchard Emerge as Early Favorites in NHL Awards Watch Polling

Connor McDavid leads the Hart Trophy race with 47 points in 18 games, earning 88% of first-place votes from PHWA members.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid leads the November NHL Awards Watch for the Hart Trophy, securing over 88% of first-place votes from a panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members. McDavid recorded 47 points through his first 18 games of the 2026-27 season, a pace of 2.61 points per game. Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, who has 30 points in 18 games, and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, who has 31 points in 19 games, are the other primary finalists identified by the poll.

In the Norris Trophy race, Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard is the frontrunner with 83% of first-place votes. Bouchard has tallied 31 points and a plus-24 rating through 18 games. Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes follows in second place, averaging 28:07 of ice time with 26 points in 19 games. Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the reigning Norris winner, sits in third while leading the league in average ice time at 28:18.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler leads the Calder Trophy race for top rookie, receiving 61% of first-place votes. Fowler posted an 8-1-1 record, a .925 save percentage, and a 2.15 goals-against average in his first 10 starts. Detroit’s Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Chicago’s Roman Kantserov are the other top-ranked finalists. Among goaltenders, Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild leads the Vezina Trophy projections with an 11-2-3 record and a 1.99 goals-against average.

Minnesota’s Joel Eriksson Ek is the top candidate for the Selke Trophy, earning 26% of first-place votes. His line has not surrendered an even-strength goal through 19 games. For the Jack Adams Award, Boston Bruins coach Marco Sturm leads with 58% of the vote, followed by Rod Brind'Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes and Travis Green of the Ottawa Senators.