The 2025-26 NHL regular season is here, and the league’s stars are ready to shine.
It’s never too early to start thinking about who will win the Hart Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL MVP.
Who will win NHL MVP honors this season? Let’s examine the latest betting odds before delving into a handful of potential candidates.
NHL MVP Hart Trophy Odds 2025-26
We at The Game Day always track the latest NHL odds for the Hart Trophy:
For my betting tips, I’m using these NHL MVP lines that are current as of Tuesday, Oct. 7, from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Connor McDavid (+200)
- Nathan MacKinnon (+500)
- Nikita Kucherov (+700)
- Kirill Kaprizov (+800)
- Leon Draisaitl (+1000)
- David Pastrnak (+1800)
- Auston Matthews (+1800)
- Jack Hughes (+2500)
- Jack Eichel (+2500)
- Mitch Marner (+4000)
2025 NHL MVP Prediction
Kirill Kaprizov (+800)
After inking the most lucrative contract in the NHL this offseason, Kirill Kaprizov looks poised for a huge year for the Minnesota Wild.
The dynamic winger is coming off a terrific season where he put up 56 points in only 41 games. Injuries robbed us of another 100+ point season for Kaprizov.
Now fully healthy, I like Kaprizov to win this award because of how much his team relies on him. Unlike other favorites like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, Kaprizov doesn’t have a superstar on par with Leon Draisaitl or Cale Makar alongside him.
With that in mind, if the Wild are able to exceed expectations, there’s a chance that Kaprizov can take home the Hart Trophy. Given his prolific point production, Kaprizov is my Hart Trophy best bet.
2025 Hart Trophy Favorites
C0nnor McDavid (+200)
Connor McDavid is the best player of this generation and could wind up as the greatest of all-time when it’s all said and done.
After signing a two-year extension just a day before the season, there’s no distraction looming around McDavid heading into this year.
As a perennial 100-point producer with upside for 140+, it’s no surprise to see McDavid as the favorite. But I don’t like to bet chalk on a futures market, especially one that is volatile like an award.
Nathan MacKinnon (+500)
Nathan MacKinnon has the ability to put up huge production, just look at his 140 points in the 2023-24 season.
The Avalanche are one of the best teams in the NHL, so if they can live up to expectations and MacKinnon can get to 120+ points, the Hart Trophy is certainly within the realm of possibility.
However, as with McDavid, this is simply not a good enough price for me to take the plunge.
2025 Hart Trophy Sleepers
Jack Eichel (+2500) / Mitch Marner (+4000)
My two favorite Hart Trophy sleepers are teammates, so we’ll put them in the same heading.
Jack Eichel is coming off a career-high 94 points in 77 games. Now, he gets one of the best playmaking wingers in the NHL in Mitch Marner. The two should immediately become one of the most dangerous duos in hockey.
Marner is no stranger to playing with a superstar, having skated alongside Auston Matthews throughout his career. The difference now is that Marner won’t have to deal with the intense scrutiny that comes from Toronto media, where every shift is overanalyzed.
Now, Marner will have a chance to play loose on one of the best teams in the NHL. Don’t be surprised if that results in another 100+ point season.
