Hart Memorial Trophy Odds (2026-27)

The following post features Hart Memorial Trophy Odds (2026-27).

With the NHL season approaching, 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.

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 2026-27? Here’s what you need to know.

Hart Memorial Trophy Odds (2026-27)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the Hart Memorial Trophy. All odds were sourced on September 18, 2026. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Preseason Player Spotlights

Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers, C)

The generational talent remains the standard against which all other players are measured. In 2025-26 he played all 82 games and led the NHL with 138 points (48 goals, 90 assists), capturing the Art Ross Trophy for the sixth time. His 54 power-play points were the most in the league, and he finished as a Hart finalist once again. At 29, McDavid continues to produce at an elite level while driving one of the NHL’s most dangerous offenses. Health and consistency have been his only real questions in recent years; a full, healthy season again would make him the clear favorite.

Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche, C)

MacKinnon delivered another MVP-caliber campaign in 2025-26, leading the league with 53 goals and finishing with 127 points (53-74) in 80 games while posting a league-best +57 rating. He won the Rocket Richard Trophy and helped Colorado capture the Presidents’ Trophy with the NHL’s top offense. The 31-year-old remains one of the most dynamic and complete centers in the game, blending elite speed, shot volume, and two-way impact. Another strong supporting cast around him positions MacKinnon for another serious Hart run.

Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks, C)

The 2024 first-overall pick took a massive leap in his second NHL season, recording 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games and setting a new franchise single-season points record. At just 20 years old, Celebrini already ranks among the league’s top scorers and has shown the ability to carry a still-rebuilding Sharks team. His combination of skill, hockey IQ, and production makes him one of the most exciting young stars in the NHL and a legitimate dark-horse Hart candidate if San Jose continues to improve around him.

Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers, C)

Draisaitl remained one of the league’s most productive centers despite missing time, posting 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games in 2025-26. His points-per-game rate stayed elite, and he continued to dominate on the power play. The 30-year-old German star is a proven multi-time Hart finalist and one of the best pure goal-scorers and playmakers in the game. A healthy full season alongside McDavid would once again put him firmly in the MVP conversation.

Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning, RW)

The reigning Hart Trophy winner followed up his MVP season with another outstanding performance, recording 130 points (44 goals, 86 assists) in 76 games in 2025-26 while posting a strong +43 rating. Kucherov has now strung together multiple 100-plus point campaigns and continues to rank among the most creative and dangerous offensive players in the league. Entering the final year of his current contract at age 33, he remains a perennial MVP threat as long as he stays healthy.

Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild, LW)

Kaprizov returned to form in 2025-26 after an injury-shortened previous season, scoring 45 goals and adding 44 assists for 89 points in 78 games. He remains one of the most dynamic goal-scorers and high-end talent carriers in the NHL, and he continues to shoulder a heavy offensive load for Minnesota. At 29, Kaprizov is in his prime; if the Wild take another step forward as a team, his individual production could easily push him back into the Hart conversation.

Hart Memorial Trophy Winner (2025-26)

Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning, RW) won the 2025-26 Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.

The 32-year-old right wing claimed his second career Hart (first since 2018-19) in one of the closest votes in recent history. He finished with 1,436 voting points, edging Connor McDavid (1,426) by just 10 points, with Nathan MacKinnon third (1,297). It marked the first time since the current voting system began in 1995-96 that all three finalists received at least 25% of first-place votes.

Kucherov recorded 130 points (44 goals, 86 assists) in 76 games, ranking second in the NHL in scoring while leading the league in points per game (1.71). He outscored his next-closest Lightning teammate by 42 points and powered Tampa Bay to its ninth consecutive playoff berth. His combination of elite production, consistency (points in 60 of 76 games), and impact on a contending team earned him the nod over two other former Hart winners in a highly competitive field.

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 Winners (by Year)

Click here for the Hart Memorial Trophy Winner by year.