NHL Hart Trophy Odds: Who Is Favored To Win NHL MVP?

As the Stanley Cup playoffs draw closer, so does the announcement of this year’s NHL Awards. There’s none bigger than the Hart Trophy, awarded each year to the league’s MVP. 

While the number one spot for the Hart still belongs to Leon Draisatal, there’s still some jockeying in the 2-6 slots for potential upset candidates. 

Here’s a look at the odds as of March 12.

NHL Hart Trophy Odds

Hart Trophy Favorite

Leon Draisaitl, F, Oilers (-165)

There’s not too much excitement in the number one spot, but Draisaitl’s lead has dropped a little since the last edition of this update on Feb. 28, when he was -125. 

If the Oilers remain a top-contender to make it out of the Western Conference, Draisaitl will likely hold onto that favorite spot and eventually take home the Hart in June.

But (and it’s a big but) there has been some moderate slippage in the Oilers’ fortune as of late. They dropped out of being Stanley Cup odds-favorites this past week. They’re now just +650. They’re 3-7-0 over their last 10, losing most recently 3-2 to the bottom-dwelling Buffalo Sabres. 

If they keep dropping uncharacteristic games, there could be opportunity for other candidates to sneak into the favorite spot. Or, and more realistically, for bettors to get Draisaitl at slightly more favorable odds. 

2024-25 Hart Trophy Contenders

Connor Helleybuck, G, Jets (+150)

As odd as it may seem, Hellyebuck has entrenched himself in the number two spot for Hart Trophy contenders. 

If we simply go by the rationale of ‘Best player on the best team’ for the MVP, then Helleybuck should be the winner. But his position makes it a little more unlikely. Only seven goalies have ever won the Hart Trophy, the most recent being Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens in 2015. 

Assuming that Helleybuck and the Jets keep pace as a major Stanley Cup contender, his chances of winning the trophy will only increase. 

Nathan MacKinnon, C, Avalanche (+475)

MacKinnon made history in Colorado’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, becoming the 100th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 points. 

Outside of making history, MacKinnon’s having another excellent season, the kind we’ve become accustomed to seeing from him. Currently, he leads the league in points and assists with 102 and 75, respectively. 

We’ll likely continue seeing MacKinnon and Draisaitl near the top of Hart trophy voting for many years. This just might be one that the latter wins. 

Who Will Win the 2025 Hart Trophy?

Yes, Drasaitl is the favorite to win the award. Yes, Connor Hellybuck winning would be a more fun outcome. 

But if you gave me a vote, I’d give it to Nathan MacKinnon.

Drasaitl is a great player and would be the best player on any other team, but how much of his success comes from drafting off the production of the greatest player of this era, Connor McDavid? Helleybuck is having a great season on a great team, but the gap between him and Tampa’s goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy, is not that big. 

As mentioned previously, MacKinnon leads the league in assists and points, but he also leads or is near the top in various advanced stat categories. 

MacKinnon should be the one walking away with the Hart Trophy this season.