With just under 30 games left in the 2025–26 NHL regular season, it is time to take a look at where some of the Edmonton Oilers players stand. Who is in contention for some of the individual awards handed out to the best players in each category by the end of the season? While we have gotten used to seeing the same two players win or have a legitimate chance at winning some of these awards year in and year out, there is one Oiler who has a very good chance at winning his first-ever individual award in his NHL career.
Oilers Captain Connor McDavid, defenceman Evan Bouchard, and Leon Draisaitl are the three players on the team right now who are clearly in the running for some of these individual awards. For those who may not know, I will explain what each indivual awards is and what it represents.
Breaking down the individual awards
Hart Trophy: The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, is an annual award for the most valuable player to his team in the National Hockey League (NHL), voted by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA).
Art Ross Trophy: The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the league by former player, general manager, and head coach Art Ross.
Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy: The Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, also known as the Rocket Richard Trophy, is awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in the National Hockey League. It was donated to the NHL by the Montreal Canadiens in 1998–99 and is named in honour of legendary Montreal Canadiens right winger Maurice “Rocket” Richard.
Ted Lindsay Award: The Ted Lindsay Award, formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson Award, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League’s most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players’ Association.
Norris Trophy: The James Norris Memorial Trophy, or simply the Norris Trophy, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League’s top “defence player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.” It is named after James E. Norris, the longtime owner of the Detroit Red Wings.
Calder Trophy: The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League.” It is named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL.
Vezina Trophy: The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League goaltender who is “adjudged to be the best at this position.” At the end of each season, the thirty-two NHL general managers vote to determine the winner.
Conn Smythe Trophy: The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player of his team during the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Connor McDavid: Hart, Art Ross, Rocket Richard, and Ted Lindsay
Connor McDavid, the current best player in the NHL, is pretty well in contention for almost every single major individual award. In his career so far, McDavid has won three Hart Trophies, five Art Ross Trophies, one Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, four Ted Lindsay Awards, and one Conn Smythe Trophy. This season, McDavid has the potential to win his fourth Hart Trophy and third in the last six seasons, sixth Art Ross Trophy and fourth in the last six seasons, fifth Ted Lindsay Award and third in the last six seasons, second Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and second in the last four seasons.
McDavid was off to a slow start in terms of his regular production this season, but as of late, he has been dynamite and has continued to prove why he is still the best player in the NHL and the world. McDavid has played every game so far this season, and in 53 games, he has amassed 32 goals and 58 assists for a total of 90 points. As of right now, McDavid is well on his way to earning his ninth 100-point campaign and sixth in a row, eighth 70+ assist season and sixth in a row, and has already earned his ninth 30+ goal season, with his 11th point-per-game season as well (every season in his career).
Evan Bouchard: Norris Trophy
Evan Bouchard, who normally finds himself under a lot of heat because of his defensive play, has shown us this season that offence might be more important to him than defence. With a plus/minus of +9, Bouchard has been on the ice for quite a few of the Oilers’ goals against, but has managed to rack up the points as well. In 53 games (every game played this season), Bouchard currently has 14 goals and 41 assists for a total of 55 points. Averaging 1.04 points-per-game, Bouchard is currently tied for second in defenceman points with Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets), and they are both only one point behind Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), who is the best defenceman in the NHL right now.
Josh, one of our TOR (The Oil Rig) writers, had this to say about Evan Bouchard;
One would think that with the season that he is currently having, Bouchard would be bound to be a finalist for the Norris Trophy. However, because of his defensive lapses and the trophy being handed out to the best all-around defenceman in the NHL, there is a legitimate chance that he may get zero Norris consideration and end up being looked past. Would this be a snub? To be honest, I think that Bouchard should definitely be considered for the Norris Trophy this year.
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Connor McDavid: Conn Smythe
One last award that needs to be looked at, even though it has not happened yet, is the Conn Smythe Trophy. Although the playoffs do not start until April, the Edmonton Oilers are in a prime position to make it back in and have the chance to fight for yet another Stanley Cup. “If” they can make it to their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, McDavid is the first player that comes to mind, who would most likely end up winning the Conn Smythe Trophy by the end of the Oilers’ playoff run.
I do not even know if the Oilers will make it that far, or if McDavid will even be the player who ends up winning that award, but you can never count out the best player in the world. He has proven time and time again that he can rack up the points and dominate games when he wants to.
So far, these are the only two players from the Oilers who have the best chance at winning either one or multiple of these awards/trophies, but Leon Draisaitl could also end up climbing up the ranks and put himself in contention as well. Even though he is currently pretty far behind his competitors, you can never count out the “German Gretzky” Leon Draisaitl.
Oilers fans! Do you agree with these players that are currently in contention to win some of the NHL’s individual awards? Are there any other Oilers players that I missed who deserve to be mentioned? Let us know in the comments.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
