NHL MVP Odds: Hart Trophy Odds 2025-26 Season

MacKinnon's favorite status

MacKinnon is the favorite on the Hart Trophy leaderboard according to Canadian sportsbooks. Currently, he has +140 odds to win the Hart Trophy. After a torrid start to the season, MacKinnon has cemented himself as the favorite while leading the Avalanche to the best record. 

The Goalie Hangover Effect

Connor Hellebuyck did the unthinkable last season, becoming the first goalie to win the Hart Trophy since Carey Price did it in the 2024-25 season. Only eight goalies have ever won the Hart Trophy, showing how rare it was for Hellebuyck to accomplish this feat. However, only one goalie in history has ever repeated as a Hart Trophy winner, as Dominic Hasek won back-to-back after claiming it in 1997 and again in 1998. However, Hellebuyck is not in the favorites list to win it this season. No goalies are in the current top-5 favorites, indicating that the market might be overcorrecting to the forwards this season. 

NHL Hart Trophy Odds

As we inch closer to December, it feels right to talk about the potential Hart Trophy candidates, and where everything lies in this race. There are several great candidates to win the coveted NHL MVP trophy for the regular season. 

Analyzing the MVP Favorite

Nathan MacKinnon had a great season, showing why he could also be considered a Hart Trophy candidate. He netted 32 goals and 84 assists last season, leading the Avalanche to the playoffs once again. MacKinnon won the Hart Trophy in the 2023-24 season, and will look to win it for the second time in three seasons. 

MacKinnon’s impact goes far beyond the scoresheet, though. Every shift he takes seems to change the energy of the game—his speed through the neutral zone, his explosiveness off the rush, and his ability to create something out of nothing make him one of the most dangerous players in the league. He’s the heartbeat of Colorado’s offense, setting the tone with his relentless drive and leadership. When the Avalanche need a spark, it’s almost always MacKinnon who delivers, whether it’s a clutch goal, a setup that leaves defenders frozen, or simply his presence pushing his teammates to elevate their play.

 

The Incumbents Chance

Connor Hellebuyck won the Hart Trophy last season, and will look to claim his second consecutive this season. Currently, he comes in at +10000 odds to win the Hart Trophy, which translates to just a .99% chance. Hellebuyck currently has the 21st-best odds to win the Hart Trophy, indicating that oddsmakers don't believe he will have much of a chance to repeat this season. 

Contenders for the Hart Trophy

Connor McDavid (+200)

Connor McDavid is one of the greatest players of this generation. Amazingly, he has tallied 100 or more points in five consecutive seasons, and in eight of nine seasons. McDavid is simply the best scorer, and gives the Edmonton Oilers a chance to win every night. It's not far-fetched to say that he's the most important player on the team, and they probably wouldn't make it to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final matches. 

McDavid comes through in the clutch more often than not. Overall, his stick-handling skills and ability to find open teammates are beyond the realm of anything that other hockey players can imagine. It was just two seasons ago that he had 100 assists, which is mind-boggling in the grand scheme of things. 

Jack Eichel (+1100)

Jack Eichel has gotten off to a scorching start, scoring 16 points over seven games. If he can keep the pace, he will definitely set a career high in total points. While no one expects him to hit 187 points, Eichel can certainly make his mark while teaming with Mitchell Marner on the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Macklin Celebrini (+1500)

Macklin Celebrini has been a gifted performer since he arrived in the NHL, and now has the chance to lead the Sharks from the basement to the playoffs. Yes, the Sharks are currently a playoff contender, and much of that has to do with Celebrini playing out of his mind, generating 26 points. If this continues, Celebrini might cement himself as a Hart Trophy contender. 

Cale Makar (+1700)

Cale Makar, along with MacKinnon, has helped the Avalanche to a torrid start. Makar continues to redefine what it means to be an elite defenseman in today’s NHL. His skating and puck movement are on another level, allowing him to control the tempo of the game from the blue line. Whether it’s quarterbacking the power play or jumping into the rush, Makar’s presence makes Colorado a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Connor Bedard (+1800)

Year 3 of the Connor Bedard journey has been fantastic, as he is off to a scorching start. Bedard is on pace for a ridiculous 125 points if he can sustain his great play. Additionally, his improved play has put the Blackhawks into playoff positioning, which would be huge after years of poor results. 

Kirill Kaprizov (+2000)

Kirill Kaprizov had a promising season cut short by a lengthy injury, scoring 25 goals and recording 31 assists in just 41 games. Had he played all 82 games, he could have had 50 goals and 62 assists, which definitely would have put him in consideration for the Hart Trophy, and he could have won it last season if he had hit those numbers. 

Leon Draisaitl (+3500)

Leon Draisaitl had 52 goals and 54 assists in 71 games last season. It was just two seasons before that he had 128 points. Of course, he won the Hart Trophy in the 2019-20 season. Draisaitl is probably one of the best contenders to McDavid's title chances. 

Leo Carlsson (+4000)

Leo Carlsson has emerged out of nowhere, and is en route to a breakout season. With new coach Joel Quenneville guiding the way, Carlsson has exploded out of the gate, and become the youngest Duck to reach 100 points. With Carlsson's exceptional play, the Ducks have also become a contender to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. 

David Pastrnak (+4500)

David Pastrnak entered the 2025–26 season as a legitimate MVP contender, and the path is wide open for him to make a serious run at the award. Already one of the league’s most dynamic goal scorers, Pastrnak continues to be the leader of Boston’s offense, capable of carrying stretches of play almost single-handedly. With his elite shooting touch, improved playmaking, and the Bruins relying on him more than ever, he’s positioned to put up massive numbers. 

Positional Bias Returns

Forwards will likely dominate this group after Hellebuyck took the award. Of course, it always starts with McDavid, and he is a three-time winner of the Hart Trophy. Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy in the 2018-19 season and is coming off a 2024-25 season in which he scored 121 points. Kucherov has proven he can still create plays, and is one of the best scorers in the NHL. Leon Draisaitl is still also around, and has also won the Hart Trophy in the 2019-20 season. 

Do MVP Candidates Have Team Success?

Nathan MacKinnon (+140)

Nathan MacKinnon has already led his team to the Stanley Cup, where they claimed the most prestigious trophy in all of professional sports. While the Colorado Avalanche have hit a roadblock lately against the Dallas Stars, they are still an elite team that can go all the way to the Stanley Cup. MacKinnon exhibits leadership in every fashion, and is the most valuable player on the Avs, who are still a Stanley Cup contender.

Connor McDavid (+195)

Without McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers likely get eliminated in the First Round against the Los Angeles Kings. His leadership and ability to motivate his team helped Edmonton overcome a 2-0 series deficit to win that series. Then, he would lead the Oilers to series wins over the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars before succumbing to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup. 

Jack Eichel (+1100)

The Vegas Golden Knights have become an even more dangerous team, with the addition of Mitchell Marner. Now, it has probably made Jack Eichel even better, as the two megastars have played on the same line. But the VGK also has some good depth with Pavel Dorofeyev and Tomas Hertl powering the second line, while William Karlsson and Reilly Smith power the third line. Eichel will be a Hart Trophy candidate, and will have a chance to lead the Golden Knights back to the Stanley Cup. 

Macklin Celebrini (+1500)

Macklin Celebrini has brought new life to the San Jose Sharks. After years of rebuilding, the franchise finally has a true cornerstone to build around—someone who plays with confidence, composure, and skill well beyond his age. Celebrini’s presence has given the Sharks a spark they’ve desperately needed, both on the ice and in the locker room. His playmaking instincts and ability to create offense in any situation have made him an instant fan favorite. For the first time in a long time, there’s real excitement in San Jose, and it all starts with Celebrini leading the next generation of Sharks hockey.

Cale Makar (+1700)

It's easy to be a winner when you have Nathan MacKinnon on your team. But Cale Makar certainly holds his own, and has been amazing on the blue line. While he is a Norris Trophy winner, he might have a good chance at the Hart Trophy. 

Connor Bedard (+1800)

Connor Bedard is on a tear, and the Blackhawks have followed suit. While he still needs his teammates to perform, Bedard has done an admirable job of helping put the Hawks into playoff positioning. 

Kirill Kaprizov (+2000)

The Minnesota Wild survived without Kaprizov for an extended period. Yet, even with his return, the Wild failed to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights in the First Round.   Somehow, the Wild have only advanced past the First Round just three times in their franchise history, and not once since the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Leon Draisaitl (+3500)

Just as McDavid makes the Oilers go, Draisaitl is just as valuable. Amazingly, Draisaitl scored 100 or more points for the fourth straight season, and also helped them win numerous games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was his three points in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup that helped the Oilers stun the Florida Panthers and even up the series. 

Leo Carlsson (+4000)

Carlsson’s rise has completely changed the outlook in Anaheim. Not only has he energized the offense, but his poise and maturity at such a young age have made him the focal point of the team’s success. His chemistry with the top line has been electric, and his ability to take over games has pushed the Ducks to the top of the Pacific Division early on. It’s been years since Anaheim looked this confident and dynamic, and with Carlsson leading the charge, the Ducks suddenly look like a team ready to compete with the league’s best.

David Pastrnak (+4500)

David Pastrnak has been the driving force behind the Bruins’ unexpected rise into early playoff contention in the 2025–26 season. Despite a roster in transition and modest preseason expectations, Pastrnak’s elite scoring touch and ability to take over games have elevated Boston well above projections. He’s sparked the offense with timely goals, opened up opportunities for his linemates, and consistently delivered in crucial moments. His leadership on and off the ice has brought stability to a young lineup, and his nightly production has kept the Bruins competitive against top-tier opponents. Because of Pastrnak’s dominance, Boston has emerged as one of the season’s biggest surprises, firmly in the postseason mix far sooner than anyone anticipated.

 

Best Bet Timing

The best time to put a future bet is likely just before the season or in the summer. That is when the odds are the lowest, and it gives you more value for your bet. For example, if you were to place a $20 bet on Kaprizov to win the Hart Trophy right now, you would get $220 back if you were to win. Likewise, a bet on Auston Matthews of the same value would give you $800 back if he were to win. 

Big Takeaways and My Bet

There are so many contenders for who can claim the Hart Trophy. If chasing value over top contenders, Leon Draisaitl would be a great pick to win, as a bet on him would fetch you $240 on a $20 bet. However, it's hard to ignore Connor McDavid, the greatest player in the NHL today. McDavid recently inked a two-year contract extension, so there are no distractions for him this season.