With the 2025-26 NHL season getting underway Tuesday, here are Evan Rawal\u2019s predictions for the major award winners, conference finalists, and, yes, the Stanley Cup champion:<\/p>\n
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP of regular season) \u2013 Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Eichel is Mr. Everything for Vegas and finished fifth on the Hart ballot last season. With 100-point winger Mitch Marner now by his side, he\u2019ll reach a new level and take home the trophy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Vezina Trophy (Top goal tender) \u2013 Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The 29-year-old will take home his second Vezina after carrying an average New York team to the postseason.\u00a0The Rangers go as far as Shesterkin carries them.<\/p>\n James Norris Memorial Trophy (Top goal defenseman) \u2013 Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019ll be a battle between Makar and Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks for the foreseeable future for the Norris, but Makar will take home his second straight after flirting with a 100-point season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) \u2013 Ivan Demidov, Montreal Canadiens<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If Zeev Buium catches his footing in Minnesota, he\u2019ll be Demidov\u2019s biggest competition, but the Russian with the magic hands will beat him out.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rocket Richard Trophy (Top goal scorer \u2013 Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n McDavid decided he wanted to score goals a few years back and dropped 64 in one year. He\u2019s mentioned wanting to do that again this year, and when he puts his mind to something, no one has shown they can really stop him.\u00a0<\/p>\n Art Ross Trophy (Top point scorer) \u2013 Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Can anyone slow down the Russian in the regular season? No one has shown they can, so it\u2019s a safe bet that he\u2019ll take home this award yet again.<\/p>\n Presidents\u2019 Trophy (Top overall record) \u2013 Carolina Hurricanes\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Carolina is a very good regular season that will rack up points playing all the bad teams in the Metro.\u00a0Whether that regular season success will finally translate to a Stanley Cup is very much up in the air.<\/p>\n Eastern Conference final \u2013 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricanes<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hurricanes will find themselves in a familiar spot, while the Lightning will take advantage of a tired Panthers team missing their most important player.\u00a0<\/p>\n Western Conference final \u2013 Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s about time we see the last two Cup winners to come out of the West meeting again in the postseason. This time, a trip to the final will be on the line.\u00a0Two stacked teams that would put on one heck of a show.<\/p>\n Stanley Cup champion \u2013 Vegas Golden Knights\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Vegas is a stacked roster up and down with a general manager who won\u2019t be afraid to make improvements come the trade deadline.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
<\/p>\n