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.
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 Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team. The 2026-27 market opens with Connor McDavid favored ahead of Nathan MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini, while reigning winner Nikita Kucherov remains among the leading contenders. Odds will move throughout the season as scoring, team success, injuries, and the award race develop.
DraftKings Sportsbook
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 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 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 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 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 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 the current 2026-27 Hart Trophy favorites below, with opening-season odds updated for September 2026.
2026-27 Hart Trophy Favorites
The 2026-27 Hart Trophy market begins with Connor McDavid back at the top of the board. The table below uses DraftKings Sportsbook odds published Sept. 28, 2026, giving bettors a consistent opening-season snapshot. Odds are subject to change.
| Player | Team | Hart Trophy Odds |
| Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | +300 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | +350 |
| Macklin Celebrini | San Jose Sharks | +450 |
| Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | +1100 |
| Nikita Kucherov | Tampa Bay Lightning | +1200 |
| Kirill Kaprizov | Minnesota Wild | +1400 |
| Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | +1500 |
| David Pastrnak | Boston Bruins | +1500 |
| Cale Makar | Colorado Avalanche | +2500 |
| Jack Hughes | New Jersey Devils | +2500 |
Connor McDavid (+300) – Edmonton Oilers
McDavid enters 2026-27 as the Hart Trophy favorite after leading the NHL with 138 points last season and finishing just behind Nikita Kucherov in the MVP vote. The three-time Hart winner remains the centerpiece of Edmonton’s offense and one of the league’s most consistent scoring threats.
Nathan MacKinnon (+350) – Colorado Avalanche
MacKinnon opens immediately behind McDavid after recording 127 points and 53 goals last season. The 2024 Hart winner remains central to a Colorado team expected to contend near the top of the Western Conference.
Macklin Celebrini (+450) – San Jose Sharks
Celebrini enters his third NHL season as one of the biggest risers in the Hart market. He produced 115 points with 45 goals and 70 assists last season and was named the youngest captain in Sharks history ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Leon Draisaitl (+1100) – Edmonton Oilers
Draisaitl gives Edmonton a second major Hart candidate. The former MVP remains one of the NHL’s premier scorers, although sharing the spotlight with McDavid creates an unusual dynamic in an award market centered on individual value.
Nikita Kucherov (+1200) – Tampa Bay Lightning
Kucherov enters 2026-27 as the reigning Hart Trophy winner after capturing his second career MVP award in 2026. He remains one of the league’s premier offensive players but opens behind McDavid, MacKinnon, Celebrini, and Draisaitl on the DraftKings board.
*Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as published Sept. 28, 2026. Odds are subject to change.
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 find a better price. Connor McDavid’s Hart Trophy odds can vary depending on which betting website you are looking at.
Who wouldn’t want to get 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:
