An Insight into the 2025-26 NHL Awards Voting: McDavid's MVP Edge Over Celebrini

As the 2025-26 NHL season comes to a close, the San Jose Sharks stand out with a noteworthy performance, particularly with Macklin Celebrini making a strong MVP case. However, my voting for the prestigious awards this year led me to prioritize Connor McDavid over Celebrini for the Hart Trophy. Here’s a breakdown of my selections and the rationale behind them.

For the Hart Trophy, I cast my vote for McDavid, who led the league with an impressive 138 points, surpassing Celebrini by 23 points. Notably, McDavid contributed either a goal or an assist to nearly half of the Oilers' offensive plays, marking a league-high involvement rate of 48.9%. In contrast, Celebrini’s rate stood at 46.2%, and while both players had strong seasons, McDavid's efforts were crucial in securing a playoff spot for Edmonton, unlike Celebrini's team, which fell short.

When it came to the Norris Trophy, I opted for Zach Werenski, recognizing his all-around defensive skills. Despite Evan Bouchard finishing just five points shy of the 100-point mark—a significant achievement for a defenseman—I felt Werenski's contributions on both ends of the ice set him apart. This year’s competitive field required careful consideration of each candidate’s strengths.

In the Calder Trophy race, I voted for Matthew Schaefer, who made a notable impact with the New York Islanders. Meanwhile, for the Lady Byng Trophy, I selected Jake Sanderson, believing that players who excel in both skill and sportsmanship deserve recognition, particularly during tough matchups.

Lastly, my Selke Trophy vote went to Shane Pinto, acknowledging his strong defensive skills and tough matchups, despite Nick Suzuki's overall excellence. Engaging with multiple NHL scouts helped inform my decisions for these challenging categories.

With the NHL awards highlighting individual talent within the league, my votes reflect not only statistical achievements but also the context and challenges faced by each player throughout the season.