Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
Author: Anthony Vlahovic
Last Updated: 15 May, 2025
2024-2025 NHL MVP Odds - Current Hart Trophy Favorites
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.
2024-25 NHL MVP Award - Best Odds
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.
2024-25 NHL Hart Trophy Odds Comparison - TOP 3 Candidates
*Odds as of April 14, 2025
Current Favorites
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.
Past Hart Trophy Winners & Odds
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 RWs 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.
When Goaltenders Crash the Party: What It Really Takes for a Netminder to Win the Hart
Can goaltenders win the Hart trophy? Sure, they can. Is it common? No, not at all. In fact, only eight goalies in the history of the NHL have had the honor of being named MVP of the league. Since 2000, only two goalies have been named the MVP, the most recent being Carey Price for the 2014-25 season. Outside of Price, the most recent examples include Jose Theodore in 2002 and Dominik Hasek, who won the award in 1997 and 1998.
Not only does a goalie need to post an unbelievable season to be considered for this award, but they also need a lot to break their way. As far as stats go, a goalie needs to have good enough numbers to win the Vezina trophy, as all three goalies to win the Hart trophy since 1997 have also won the Vezina. In 2014-15, Carey Price led the league in wins (44), save percentage (.993%), and goals saved above average (36.7).
In 2002, Jose Theodore led the league with a 931% save percentage and 45.9 goals saved above average. With Dominik Hasek also winning the award with a save percentage north of .930% and leading the league in goals saved above average, it’s clear that these numbers, along with the Vezina, are the baseline for goalies and the Hart Trophy.
Aside from stats, it’s clear that team context matters. Goalies may have a hard time showing how valuable they are when playing on an all-around dominant team. However, goalies on bubble teams with lackluster defenses may be able to build a better MVP case if they can lead their team to the postseason.
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