NHL awards 2026: Updated list of finalists for the Hart, Norris, Vezina, Calder & more

With the NHL playoffs in full swing, so too come the award nominees, handed out to the league's best overall and most influential off the ice.

Finalists are being released for 10 major awards beginning Tuesday, April 28 and stretching through May 11. The winners are typically announced after the season concludes.

With several shake-ups at the top this year's standings and some notable injuries, these award races are sure to be interesting as the playoffs continue.

Here are the finalists as each category is officially announced.

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2026 NHL Award finalists

Ted Lindsay Award

Finalists

• Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks
• Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

The finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award were announced on Tuesday, April 28. The award goes to the league's most outstanding player of the season, voted on by the NHLPA. 

The Lightning's Nikita Kucherov took home the award in 2025.

— NHL (@NHL) April 28, 2026

Vezina Trophy

Finalists

• Ilya Sorokin, G, New York Islanders
• Jeremy Swayman, G, Boston Bruins
• Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning

The finalists for the Vezina Trophy will be announced on Wednesday, April 29. The award goes to the league's top goaltender of the season.

The Jets' Connor Hellebuyck won the Vezina in 2025.

— NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2026

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Finalists

• Cole Caufield, RW, Montreal Canadiens
• Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings
• Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators

The finalists for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy will be announced on Thursday, April 30. This award is given for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.

Last year, Anze Kopitar of the Kings won the honor ahead of his last NHL season. 

2026 Lady Byng Trophy finalists, as voted by @ThePHWA: Cole Caufield (MTL), Anze Kopitar (LAK) and Jake Sanderson (OTT). pic.twitter.com/LPnpIiAJke

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 30, 2026

Jack Adams Award

Finalists

• Jon Cooper, head coach, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Dan Muse, head coach, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Lindy Ruff, head coach, Buffalo Sabres

The finalists for the Jack Adams Award were announced on Friday, May 1. The award honors the coach who has "contributed the most to his team’s success."

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery took home the award last season.

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) May 1, 2026

Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy

Finalists

• Rasmus Dahlin, D, Sabres
• Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Avalanche
• Jonathan Toews, C, Jets

The finalists for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy were announced on Monday, May 4. The award goes to the player who most embodied perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.

— NHL (@NHL) May 4, 2026

Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan won the award in 2025. 

Calder Memorial Trophy

Finalists

• Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal
• Matthew Schaefer, D, NY Islanders
• Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim D

The finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy were announced on Tuesday, May 5. This award goes to the best rookie of the 2025-26 NHL season.

— NHL (@NHL) May 5, 2026

Last year's winner was Lane Hutson, the Montreal Canadiens' defenseman.

Frank J. Selke Trophy

Finalists

• TBD
• TBD
• TBD

The finalists for the Selke Trophy will be announced on Wednesday, May 6. The award is given to the "forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game."

Panthers' captain Aleksander Barkov won his second Selke in a row in 2025.

James Norris Memorial Trophy

Finalists

• TBD
• TBD
• TBD

The finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy will be announced on Thursday, May 7. The award goes to the top defenseman of the season.

Last year, Avalanche star Cale Makar won his second Norris Trophy.

Hart Memorial Trophy

Finalists

• TBD
• TBD
• TBD

The finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy will be announced on Friday, May 8. This award is the NHL's MVP award, given to the league's most valuable player.

Connor Hellebuyck won this award in 2025, the first of his career.