NHL MVP Odds 2026-27: McDavid Tops Board, MacKinnon, Celebrini Round Out Top 3

The NHL MVP odds race for the upcoming season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ones in years.

Connor McDavid is the consensus favorite, but Macklin Celebrini has emerged as a serious contender. Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, and Auston Matthews are also expected to be in the mix.

Here are the latest NHL odds surrounding the Hart Trophy.

Odds to win NHL MVP award 2026-27

Player
Connor McDavid	+250
Nathan MacKinnon	+350
Macklin Celebrini	+450
Leon Draisaitl	+1100
Nikita Kucherov	+1200
Auston Matthews	+1350
Kirill Kaprizov	+1400
David Pastrnak	+1450
Jack Hughes	+2500
Cale Makar	+3000

Odds courtesy of Bet99 as of Sept. 16, one of our best betting sites.

Latest Hart Trophy odds analysis

Connor McDavid opened as the favorite at +250 and hasn't budged. The biggest movement in the Top 3 has come from Macklin Celebrini, who has seen his odds shorten from +640 in late July to +450.

Reigning MVP Nikita Kucherov now sits fifth outright at +1200, with Matthews (+1350) and Pastrnak (+1450) behind him.

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Hart Trophy futures prediction

Prediction	Odds	Prediction date	Units
Connor McDavid	+250	Sept. 16	1

Yeah, yeah, it may not be the sexiest pick, but I believe McDavid adds Hart Trophy No. 4 to his trophy case.

This could be his last full season with the Edmonton Oilers as he enters year one of his two-year contract extension, and he'll give it his all to help them secure a favorable playoff position.

It's been three years since the NHL's best has won the MVP; that changes this season.

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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.

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

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

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