The NHL MVP odds race is just getting started, but Connor McDavid couldn't have asked for a better start.
The Oilers' captain is on pace for over 200 points, but Nathan MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini are close enough that a McDavid slip-up could tighten the gap.
Here are the latest NHL odds surrounding the Hart Trophy.
Odds to win NHL MVP award 2026-27
| Player |  |
|---|---|
 Connor McDavid |
+210 |
 Nathan MacKinnon |
+350 |
 Macklin Celebrini |
+550 |
 Kirill Kaprizov |
+950 |
| Leon Draisaitl |
+1100 |
 Nikita Kucherov |
+1500 |
 Nick Suzuki |
+1500 |
 Auston Matthews |
+2000 |
 David Pastrnak |
+2000 |
 Nico Hischier |
+2250 |
Odds courtesy of Bet99 as of Oct. 20, one of our best betting sites.
10/20: Connor McDavid's odds continues to shorten, moving from +250 to +210. Meanehile, Celebrini's odds slipped from +450 to +550 after missing a couple of games due to injury.
The biggest jump of the week came from Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who shortened from +1400 to +900.
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Hart Trophy futures prediction
| Prediction | Odds | Prediction date | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini |
+450 | Sept. 28 | 1 |
| Connor McDavid |
+250 | Sept. 16 | 1 |
After betting on McDavid a couple of weeks ago, I am also adding Macklin Celebrini to my portfolio. Celebrini is coming off a 115-point season, and the forward group around him has gotten better.
The Sharks will be competitive this year, and Celebrini will lead the charge as they try to return to the postseason.
Covers NHL betting tools
Understanding NHL MVP odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. When the regular season is nearly finished, and a consensus has emerged, you might see a player with a minus sign (-) ahead of his odds, like this:
- Connor McDavid -190
The (-) means that McDavid is the odds-on favorite, and a bettor would need to wager $190 to win $100. Other contenders in the MVP race might have plus (+) odds to win.
- Nathan MacKinnon +255
Here, a bettor stood to profit $255 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use a tool like our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
Popular NHL futures markets
NHL Hart Trophy trends
- The last player to win the Hart Trophy and Stanley Cup in a single season was Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis (2004).
- Carey Price was the last goaltender (2015) to win the MVP award before Connor Hellebuyck did in 2024-25.
- Alexander Ovechkin was the last player to repeat as the Hart winner (2008 and 2009).
- Centers have won six of the last 10 MVP awards.
- The last time a defenseman won the Hart Trophy was Chris Pronger back in the 1999-00 season.
NHL Hart Trophy history
A quick look at the last 10 NHL MVPs, their position, and their opening odds, according to SportsOddsHistory.
| Season | Player | Position | Opening odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 |  Nikita Kucherov |
Right Wing | +700 |
| 2024-25 |  Connor Hellebuyck |
Goalie | +15000 |
| 2023-24 |  Nathan MacKinnon |
Center | +1000 |
| 2022-23 |  Connor McDavid |
Center | +300 |
| 2021-22 |  Auston Matthews |
Center | +900 |
| 2020-21 | Connor McDavid |
Center | +600 |
| 2019-20 | Leon Draisaitl |
Center | +4000 |
| 2018-19 | Nikita Kucherov |
Right Wing | +1500 |
| 2017-18 |  Taylor Hall |
Left Wing | N/A |
| 2016-17 | Connor McDavid |
Center | +600 |
NHL MVP award winners by position
| Position | Hart Trophy awards |
|---|---|
| Center | 55 |
| Right wing | 19 |
| Left wing | 13 |
| Goalie | 9 |
| Defenseman | 7 |
Centers won the Hart Trophy 17 times over an 18-year period from 1979 to 1996. Wayne Gretzky personally skated away with the league's MVP award eight straight times during that era.
Hart Trophy Odds FAQs
Connor McDavid has the best odds to win the Hart Trophy.
Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy in 2026.
Wayne Gretzky has won the award nine times, the most in NHL history.
