Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
Author: Anthony Vlahovic
Last Updated: 17 June, 2025
2025-2026 NHL MVP Odds - Current Hart Trophy Favorites
Connor Hellebuyck took home the 2024-25 Hart Trophy after a stellar season and became the second goalie to win the MVP honors after Carey Price did it in 2015. In addition, the Jets netminder was one of the biggest underdog MVP winners in recent history, as US sportsbooks listed him at +15000 prior to the season. The only previous winner that compares here was Taylor Hall, who wasn't even listed prior to the 2017-18 season.
Despite the 2024-25 Stanley Cup finals still rolling on, NHL fans can already start placing futures on who will win the Hart Trophy in 2025-26, as some sportsbooks have already released their odds for the next season. Down below, bettors and fans can stay up to date on all changes regarding the 2025-26 Hart Trophy. By doing so, they can ensure they are getting the best price available on the market.
2025-26 NHL MVP Award - Best Odds
Player | Opening Odds | Current best odds |
|---|---|---|
Connor McDavid | +200 | +210 (FanDuel) |
Nathan MacKinnon | +500 | +500 (DraftKings*) |
Kirill Kaprizov | +800 | +1200 (FanDuel) |
Nikita Kucherov | +1000 | +1000 (Bet365*) |
Leon Draisaitl | +1000 | +1000 (Bet365*) |
David Pastrnak | +1500 | +3100 (FanDuel) |
Auston Matthews | +1500 | +2000 (FanDuel) |
Jack Hughes | +2500 | +3400 (FanDuel) |
Jack Eichel | +2500 | +3200 (FanDuel) |
Quinn Hughes | +4000 | +4200 (FanDuel) |
Connor Hellebuyck | +4000 | +5000 (Bet365) |
Cale Makar | +4000 | +4000 (DraftKings) |
Mitch Marner | +7500 | +7500 (DraftKings*) |
Mikko Rantanen | +7500 | +7500 (DraftKings*) |
Odds as of June 6, 2025
* = the same odds are offered by multiple sportsbooks.
2025-26 NHL Hart Trophy Odds Comparison - TOP10 Candidates
Player | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Connor McDavid | +200 | +200 | +210 |
Nathan MacKinnon | +500 | +500 | +450 |
Kirill Kaprizov | +800 | +800 | +1200 |
Nikita Kucherov | +1000 | +1000 | +600 |
Leon Draisaitl | +1000 | +1000 | +950 |
David Pastrnak | +1500 | +1400 | +3100 |
Auston Matthews | +1500 | +1400 | +2000 |
Jack Hughes | +2500 | +2500 | +3400 |
Jack Eichel | +2500 | +2500 | +3200 |
Quinn Hughes | +4000 | +4000 | +4200 |
Odds as of June 6, 2025
2024-25 NHL MVP Winner - Connor Hellebuyck
Connor Hellebuyck made history by becoming just the fourth goalie since the NHL's 1967 expansion to win the Hart Trophy, joining legends like Dominik Hasek, Jose Theodore, and Carey Price. This marks the first time since Igor Shesterkin in 2022 that a goaltender was even named a finalist. Hellebuyck claimed the award with 81 first-place votes and 1,346 total points, narrowly beating out Leon Draisaitl of the Oilers, who earned 1,209 points. Nikita Kucherov and Nathan MacKinnon were separated by just one point in a tight battle for third.
Hellebuyck's season was dominant: 47 wins, a 2.00 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage, and eight shutouts. He helped the Winnipeg Jets reach new heights with a franchise-best 56 wins and 116 points, securing their first Presidents' Trophy. His 47 victories were just one shy of the all-time single-season record, and his lead over the next winningest goalie (Andrei Vasilevskiy) was the widest in over 30 years. In 63 games, Hellebuyck allowed two or fewer goals 40 times and ranked at or near the top of nearly every major goaltending stat, including GAA, shutouts, and high-danger save percentage.
2024-25 NHL Hart Trophy Voting (TOP10)
Rank - Player | Total points | 1st place votes |
|---|---|---|
1. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) | 1,346 | 81 |
2. Leon Draisaitl (EDM) | 1,209 | 53 |
3. Nikita Kucherov (TBL) | 973 | 25 |
4. Nathan MacKinnon (COL) | 972 | 27 |
5. Jack Eichel (VGK) | 150 | 2 |
6. Cale Makar (COL) | 108 | 0 |
7. Zach Werenski (CBJ) | 45 | 1 |
8. Alex Ovechkin (WSH) | 38 | 1 |
9. Nick Suzuki (MTL) | 26 | 1 |
10. Connor McDavid (EDM) | 26 | 0 |
Past Hart Trophy Winners & Odds
Season | Player | Team | Opening odds |
|---|---|---|---|
2024-25 | Connor Hellebuyck (G) | Winnipeg Jets | +15000 |
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 three goalies have been named the MVP, the most recent ones being Carey Price for the 2014-25 season and Connor Hellebuyck in 2025. Outside these two, 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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