Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
Author: Anthony Vlahovic
Last Updated: 14 April, 2025
Connor McDavid fell one game short of his first Stanley Cup, but he did win his first Conn Smythe and was a finalist for his fourth Hart Trophy. The Oilers star is a member of an elite tier of NHL players that seemingly grows every season as more talent joins the league, making the race to win the MVP a contested one each season.
With the savior of Edmonton becoming one of just six players to win the Conn Smythe despite losing the series, it was unsurprising to see him open as the favorite to win the Hart Trophy for the 2024-25 season. However, as the regular season winds down, McDavid's teammate Leon Draisaitl sits just behind Connor Hellebuyck on the odds board.
Player | Opening Odds | Current best odds |
---|---|---|
Connor Hellebuyck | +15,000 | -135 (FanDuel) |
Leon Draisaitl | +2000 | +130 (Bet365) |
Nikita Kucherov | +2000 | +2500 (Bet365*) |
Nathan MacKinnon | +700 | +12,000 (FanDuel) |
*Odds as of April 14, 2025
* = the same odds are offered by multiple sportsbooks.
Player | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Connor Hellebuyck | -155 | -135 | OTB | OTB |
Leon Draisaitl | +130 | +115 | OTB | OTB |
Nikita Kucherov | +2500 | +2500 | OTB | OTB |
*Odds as of April 14, 2025
Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets): You would have to go back to the 2014-15 season to find the last time a goalie won the Hart Trophy. Well, as the season shifts into mid-April, Connor Hellebuyck has the potential to be the first since Carey Price. The Jets goalie is currently leading the league record (46-12-3), goals allowed average (2.02), save percentage (.924%), and shutouts with eight.
Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers): The Oilers are currently first in the Pacific Division and seem well on their way to another trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs. While Connor McDavid is playing at his usual high level, the Oilers have actually been paced in scoring by Leon Draisaitl. The veteran not only leads the league with 52 goals, but he is third in the league with 106 points. While his numbers are strong, the only thing that could prevent Draisaitl from winning the Hart Trophy is his health, as his been dealing with injuries down the stretch.
Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning): For almost the entire season, it seemed as if Nathan MacKinnon would be the league leader in points. However, with ten points in early April, Kucherov now leads the league with 119 on the season, as he is also second in assists with 83.
Season | Player | Team | Opening odds |
---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | Nathan MacKinnon (C) | Colorado Avalanche | +1000 |
2022-23 | Connor McDavid (C) | Edmonton Oilers | +300 |
2021-22 | Auston Matthews (C) | Toronto Maple Leafs | +900 |
2020-21 | Connor McDavid (C) | Edmonton Oilers | +600 |
2019-20 | Leon Draisaitl (C) | Edmonton Oilers | +4000 |
2018-19 | Nikita Kucherov (RW) | Tampa Bay Lightning | +1500 |
2017-18 | Taylor Hall (LW) | New Jersey Devils | N/A |
2016-17 | Connor McDavid (C) | Edmonton Oilers | +600 |
2015-16 | Patrick Kane (RW) | Chicago Blackhawks | N/A |
2014-15 | Carey Price (G) | Montreal Canadiens | +5000 |
When looking at the past Hart Trophy winners, it's clear that centers are favored for this award. Throughout the history of the MVP title, dating all the way back to the 1923–24 season, centers have walked away with the trophy a total of 56 times. In comparison, wingers have claimed the MVP award 31 times, with RW's winning it on 18 occasions.
It's also worth noting that goalies have won the MVP title just eight times and defencemen only seven times during the award's history.