Hart Memorial Trophy Odds (2025-26)

The following post features Hart Memorial Trophy Odds (2025-26).

With the 2025-26 NHL season underway, sportsbooks have released the Hart Memorial Trophy odds, providing a look at the top contenders for the award recognizing the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Read: NHL Norris Trophy Odds

Related: NHL Selke Trophy Odds

As the NHL season progresses, bettors and fans can see which elite players are likely to carry their teams and post dominant statistics to stand out as the league’s Most Valuable Players this season.

So, how is the Hart Memorial Trophy race shaping up for 2025-26? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

Last season, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets captured the Hart Memorial Trophy, making history by becoming the first goaltender since 2015 to win the award. Hellebuyck earned a narrow victory over Leon Draisaitl (2nd place) and Nikita Kucherov (3rd place) in a tight voting race, securing the award with 81 first-place votes. His MVP case was built on unparalleled statistical dominance: he led the NHL with 47 wins, posted a league-best 2.00 Goals Against Average (GAA), and captured the William M. Jennings Trophy. Hellebuyck’s consistent, elite performance directly propelled the Jets to their first-ever Presidents’ Trophy as the league’s top regular-season team, cementing him as one of only four netminders in the expansion era to win the prestigious MVP award.

Hart Memorial Trophy

The Hart Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the player who is adjudged to be the most valuable to his team during the regular season. The winner is selected by a poll taken at the conclusion of the regular season, submitted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA). This award historically favors elite offensive centers who dominate the league in scoring. However, the selection process heavily weighs the subjective “value” criteria, rewarding players whose individual statistical dominance directly translates to team success, often requiring a strong team record. Furthermore, a mandatory 65-game minimum must be met for a player to be eligible for the award.

Hart Memorial Trophy Odds (2025-26)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the Hart Memorial Trophy. All odds were sourced on Oct 22, 2025. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Player Spotlights

Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche, +250)

MacKinnon enters the season as the marginal betting favorite after a blistering start, driven by a history of dominance and a perceived higher value to his specific team. The +250 odds reflect the expectation that he will carry the Avalanche in the competitive Central Division; as the roster becomes more top-heavy, MacKinnon’s massive usage and ice time (flirting with 23 minutes a game) make him the essential engine. If he sustains his current pace of elite goal-scoring and high shot volume while guiding Colorado to a top seed, he has the combination of individual stats and team dependence that voters prioritize.

Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers, +270)

McDavid, the three-time Hart winner, sits slightly behind MacKinnon despite being the consensus best player in the world. His +270 odds represent a slight discount, largely due to voters’ tendency to look beyond the obvious best player and recent concerns over load management. The betting proposition here is whether McDavid, now laser-focused on winning a Stanley Cup, will sacrifice enough regular-season games to hurt his candidacy. Regardless, his floor is a 100+ point season, and if the Oilers maintain their pace as a top Western Conference team, his sheer, historic production makes him an unshakeable MVP contender.

Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights, +550)

Eichel is positioned as a compelling mid-tier value for bettors seeking a non-McDavid/MacKinnon pivot. His +550 odds are justified by the major offensive leap he is poised to make: Eichel is running the top line alongside a premier playmaker (Mitch Marner), which should skyrocket his points total. The Hart award favors centers on top teams, and if Eichel can combine his elite goal-scoring and strong team record with a 100-point season, he offers the perfect intersection of individual growth and team success narrative to capture the award.

Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild, +600)

Kaprizov is the highest-ranking winger on the board, offering strong value due to the “carrying the team” narrative that MVP voters often reward. At +600, this is a bet on Kaprizov delivering an explosive, injury-free season. He produces at an elite goal-scoring clip (on a 50-goal pace last year) without elite surrounding talent, showcasing immense value to the Wild. If Kaprizov, in a contract year, hits a new career-high in points and drags Minnesota into the Playoff picture, his individual statistical dominance will present a powerful, undeniable case for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers, +1200)

Draisaitl is priced as a quality long shot, reflecting the inherent competition he faces from his own teammate, Connor McDavid. The betting value at +1200 lies in Draisaitl’s proven goal-scoring dominance (a league-leading 52 goals last season). He is a former MVP (2020), and his high goal total gives him a unique path to victory, particularly if McDavid sees a slight reduction in games played or offensive output. Draisaitl’s case rests on the idea that he is the most valuable scorer on the league’s top power play, and if he leads the league in goals for a second straight year, his production will command votes.

Hart Memorial Trophy Winners (2015-Present)

The table below highlights every Hart Memorial Trophy winner since 2015.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid lead the race as the statistical frontrunners, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, and Leon Draisaitl present compelling alternatives, whose combination of elite goal-scoring, high usage, and crucial team value position them strongly to win the Hart Memorial Trophy.