To commemorate the first month of the 2025-26 National Hockey League (NHL) season, ESPN polled members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) on each of the league’s major awards.
The PHWA votes for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke, and Lady Byng finalists. So, while the sample size is small, ESPN’s poll still shows where voters’ heads are at after one month of play.
Of note, Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel is leading the Hart race, taking 42 percent of the first-place votes after posting 19 points in his first 12 games. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar remains the favorite for the Norris, receiving all but one first-place vote.
Considering how inept they have been for the last decade, it was also a pleasant surprise to see a couple Detroit Red Wings receiving votes from the national media.
Emmitt Finnie sits third in Calder Trophy voting, but remains a longshot to win the award
One of the biggest surprises in the NHL this year, Finnie has emerged as a potential NHL star. Through his first 14 games, the 2023 seventh round pick has four goals, four assists, and is a plus-5. He has also stabilized the left wing alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on the first line.
Through his physicality, hockey IQ, and defense, the 20-year old Finnie is showing a two-way prowess beyond his years. He is tied for second amongst Detroit forwards with nine blocked shots, and he is fourth on the entire team with 28 hits.
Finnie will likely hit some growing pains common like any young player, but he has already proven enough to be an important foundation of Detroit’s future.
Despite his strong play, it will still be surprising if he brings home the Calder. As the PHWA poll suggests, it is a two-player race for the Calder with Finnie a distant third.
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the first overall pick in last summer’s draft, is the clear leader of the pack with 81 percent of the vote.
The 18-year-old already has 11 points in 13 games, along with strong defensive play. He became the youngest defenseman in NHL history with a multigoal game, breaking Bobby Orr’s near 60-year record.
If anyone can supplant Schaefer, it will likely be Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov. The 2024 fifth overall pick garnered the other 19 percent of the first-place vote, putting up 12 points in 13 games.
With the notoriety that comes with being a top-five draft pick, it is already an uphill battle for Finnie to pass Schaefer and Demidov. Barring injuries or Finnie producing at a record-pace, Schaefer or Demidov will likely be the Calder recipient.
Regardless of if he actually wins the award, Finnie coming out of nowhere to achieve national acclaim as the third-best rookie in the NHL is exactly what the Red Wings’ rebuild needed.
Dylan Larkin earns a Hart honorable mention after best start of his career
The PHWA’s Hart vote featured several familiar faces. Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl and New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, along with Eichel and Makar, each ranked highly.
Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele earning the third most votes may be the most surprising, but it is also interesting to see Detroit’s captain Larkin gain recognition as an honorable mention.
After 14 games, Larkin is tied for ninth in the NHL with 18 points and is still one of the best two-way forwards in hockey.
Larkin has routinely gotten off to fast starts in his career, yet this one in year 11 feels different. He is flying around the ice, playing with a confidence and tenacity not seen from him before. The 29-year old’s leadership has also taken a step.
Was it the contentious conversations between him and general manager Steve Yzerman this offseason that lit a fire? Is Larkin simply in the prime of his career? Has the playoff drought finally taken its toll? Regardless of the reason, Larkin has stepped up his play and the national media is noticing.
Injuries continue to be the main obstacle Larkin will need to overcome if he wants to keep pace in the Hart race. Several of Larkin’s seasons have been derailed by injuries, either resulting in him missing time or playing hurt.
Similar to Finnie, Larkin remains a longshot to actually win the Hart. Players like Eichel, Draisaitl, and Makar have the superstar pedigree (and team success) that give them an advantage over Larkin.
Still, if Larkin can stay healthy and the Red Wings keep winning, it is possible that he takes that leap into superstardom and is a Hart finalist at the end of the season.