2026 NHL MVP Betting Odds

It’s hard to find many people who would argue with the fact Connor McDavid is the best hockey player on the planet right now.

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Updated:
Brian DeschampsSenior Writer
Ali Raza
Fact Checker

But that doesn’t mean he is a lock to win the Hart Trophy. The award is handed out to the most valuable player to his team.

If you were a hockey fan in the early to mid-1980s, you likely wonder why the trophy wasn’t renamed after Wayne Gretzky, as he was named MVP nine times, including eight seasons in a row from 1980 to 1987.

Best Sportsbooks for NHL MVP Betting

NHL MVP betting allows bettors to wager on which player will win the prestigious Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team. The market remains active throughout the season as stars compete for elite scoring numbers, team success, and league-wide recognition.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings - Logo with green background and crown.

DraftKings offers NHL MVP betting throughout the season, with odds available on many of the league’s top forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders. Futures markets are updated regularly as award contenders strengthen their cases throughout the year.

The sportsbook provides extensive NHL futures coverage beyond MVP betting, including Stanley Cup odds, conference winners, and player statistical leader markets. Bettors can follow award races from opening night through the conclusion of the regular season.

Key Features:

  • NHL MVP futures available year-round
  • Extensive NHL awards betting markets
  • Stanley Cup and player futures
  • Wide range of hockey betting options

FanDuel Sportsbook

Fanduel - Logo with blue shield and text.

FanDuel features NHL MVP betting on many of the league’s biggest stars. Bettors can track changing Hart Trophy odds throughout the season as players compete for one of hockey’s highest individual honors.

The platform offers a streamlined experience for futures bettors while also providing access to NHL game lines, props, and playoff futures. Award markets are updated frequently to reflect player performance and team success.

Key Features:

  • Competitive NHL MVP odds
  • User-friendly betting platform
  • Broad hockey futures menu
  • Frequent odds boosts

BetMGM Sportsbook

BETMGM - Logo with a lion and sports text.

BetMGM offers NHL MVP betting alongside a full selection of hockey futures markets. Bettors can back preseason favorites or identify emerging candidates before their odds shorten later in the season.

The sportsbook updates Hart Trophy odds throughout the year as scoring races and team standings evolve. NHL award betting remains a key part of its hockey wagering menu.

Key Features:

  • Extensive NHL award markets
  • Regular odds updates
  • Strong futures betting coverage
  • Broad hockey betting menu

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook - Logo with gold accents.

Caesars Sportsbook provides NHL MVP betting as part of its comprehensive hockey futures lineup. Bettors can wager on players expected to have the greatest impact on their teams throughout the regular season.

The Hart Trophy market often shifts significantly throughout the year as injuries, scoring streaks, and team performance influence the race. Caesars regularly adjusts odds to reflect those developments.

Key Features:

  • NHL MVP futures betting
  • Caesars Rewards integration
  • Multiple NHL award markets
  • Comprehensive hockey coverage

bet365 Sportsbook

bet365 - Logo with green background and bold text.

Bet365 features NHL MVP betting alongside one of the deepest hockey betting menus available. Bettors can follow Hart Trophy contenders while also exploring Stanley Cup futures, conference odds, and player props.

The sportsbook offers extensive futures options and frequent odds updates as the award race develops. Hockey bettors can access a broad range of wagering opportunities throughout the season.

Key Features:

  • Deep NHL futures markets
  • Extensive award betting options
  • Strong live betting functionality
  • Numerous alternate markets

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers offers NHL MVP betting throughout the season with futures available on many of the league’s leading players. Bettors can track award contenders while also exploring related player and team futures markets.

The platform emphasizes ease of use while still providing strong NHL futures coverage. Hart Trophy odds are adjusted regularly as the race evolves.

Key Features:

  • Competitive NHL MVP odds
  • Easy-to-use sportsbook interface
  • Strong hockey futures coverage
  • Multiple season-long betting markets

Hard Rock Bet

Hard Rock Bet - Logo with sportsbook branding.

Hard Rock Bet features NHL MVP betting as part of its growing hockey futures portfolio. Bettors can place wagers on players expected to contend for the Hart Trophy while following the race throughout the regular season.

The sportsbook updates award odds regularly as top candidates emerge and statistical leaders separate themselves from the field. NHL MVP betting remains one of the most popular hockey futures markets available.

Key Features:

  • NHL MVP futures markets
  • Competitive player futures odds
  • Clean and intuitive platform
  • Broad hockey betting coverage

All-Time Hart Trophy Leaders

Player Number of MVPs
Wayne Gretzky 9
Gordie Howe 6
Eddie Shore 4
Connor McDavid 3
Alex Ovechkin 3
Mario Lemieux 3
Bobby Clarke 3
Bobby Orr 3
Howie Morenz 3

Forwards win this award the majority of the time. In fact, over the last 50 years, a defenseman has won the Hart Trophy just once.

If you guessed Chris Pronger back in 2000, you are right. During that same stretch, a goalie was given the honor on four separate occasions, including Dominik Hasek in back-to-back seasons in the late 90s. Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck joined the club after winning the award after the 2024-25 season.

Check out our list of favorites below with odds updated through the 2026 Winter Olympics break.

2025 Hart Trophy Favorites

Nathan MacKinnon (-300) – Colorado Avalanche

The 2025-26 season marks the 13th of his career, and it seems like he’s only getting better. MacKinnon sat second in the league in scoring with 93 points at the Olympics break and led in goal-scoring with 40.

That offensive output has helped lead the Avalanche to one of the best record through the league’s furst half. He is the frontrunner for the Hart if his massive season continues and the Avalanche continue looking like they’ll make a Cup run.

Macklin Celebrini (+460)

Macklin Celebrini has become a breakout star for the San Jose Sharks in his sceond year. He has been outstanding this season, ranking among the NHL’s top scorers with more than 80 points and regularly leading his team’s offense with multi-point games.

His performance has earned league accolades and placed him squarely in early MVP discussions as one of the most impactful young players in the league.

Nikita Kucherov (+750) – Tampa Bay Lightning

Nikita Kucherov has been a cornerstone of the Tampa Bay Lightning this season, consistently ranking among the team’s top scorers with elite playmaking and finishing ability. He is oce again among the league’s scoring leaders, with 91 points at the break and tied for the league in assists with 62.

His hockey sense, power-play production, and ability to generate offense in all situations have made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.

Connor McDavid (+1200) – Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers star has made it clear that individual awards are not his priority and that winning the Stanley Cup is his only focus. Edmonton has come so close, losing in the Stanley Cup finals the last two seasons.

With that said, he is a three-time Hart Trophy winner and five-time Art Ross Trophy winner. He has reached the 100-point mark eight times, including a career-high 153 in 2022-2023. McDavid finished last season with 96 points and is still a major issue for opponents to deal with when he’s one the ice.

*odds courtesy of FanDuel

An Important Tool To Help With Your Bets

Would you like an advantage when it comes to making NHL prop bets? It’s hard to match up against sportsbooks with all the research they put into making betting lines.

But there are resources out there that can help you, including our GIFT page, giving stats to bet on Goal in the First Ten Minutes in the NHL.

This tool will give you knowledge and stats to help you make an educated decision. Check it out to give yourself an edge in winning your wager.

Let’s Go Shopping!

Who do you like to win the Hart Trophy this year? Regardless of who you think will win the award, it’s important you don’t settle on the first set of odds you see.

Shopping around gives bettors a chance to earn more money. Nathan MacKinnon’s odds of winning the MVP are different depending on what betting website you are looking at.

Who wouldn’t want to get him at the highest odds possible? So, shop around for your Best Odds and get every edge you can over the sportsbooks.

Also, check out our other dedicated NHL futures betting articles:

About the Author: Brian Deschamps

Sports is a passion of mine. I watch, play, eat and sleep all sports

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