NHL MVP Race Odds: Who is Favored to Win the Hart Trophy 2024-25?

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Fact Checked by Peter Mooney

Connor Hellebuyck has officially won the Hart Trophy in 2024-2025 after being the favorite for a few months. Hellebuyck won the award after garnering 81 first-place votes. He is officially the first goalie to win the award since the 2014-2015 season. 

🏆 Who Are The Favorite to Win the NHL Hart Trophy?

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the odds are off the board. Hellebuyck has won the award. 

Connor Hellebuyck MVP Odds

Connor Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets' standout goaltender, has solidified his position as a leading contender for the NHL's Hart Trophy this season. As of February 24, 2025, Hellebuyck boasts a league-best 46-12-3 record, a 2.02 goals-against average, and a .924 save percentage, including seven shutouts. He helped his case by having a standout 4 Nations tournament as the starting goalie for Team USA. Draisaitl missed the last few games of the regular season, and it put Hellebuck ahead. While he has struggled in the postseason, his incredible performance in the regular season cemented the win for him. 

Leon Draisaitl MVP Odds

Leon Draisaitl, the Edmonton Oilers' star forward, was the front-runner for the NHL's Hart Trophy this season. As of April 2025, Draisaitl leads the league with 52 goals and ranks second in points with 106, showcasing his offensive dominance. Unfortunately, an undisclosed injury cost him his chance to win the Hart Trophy, and he finished second with 53 first-place votes. 

Close Contenders for the Hart Trophy

Nikita Kucherov MVP Odds

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning's impressive right winger, has reasserted himself as a contender for the NHL's Hart Trophy this season. Following a career-best performance in the 2023–24 season, Kucherov has continued to demonstrate his offensive prowess. Kuchervov did not win the award but still had a fantastic season. 

Nathan MacKinnon MVP Odds

Nathan MacKinnon is coming off the best season of his stellar career, setting career highs in goals (51) and assists (89). His 140 points shattered his previous career high of 111 in 2022-23. MacKinnon is trying to become the first player since Alex Ovechkin in 2008 and 2009 to win the Hart Trophy in consecutive seasons. Currently, MacKinnon has 32 goals and 84 assists. However, MacKinnon did not play in the final three regular-season games, which cost him the Hart Trophy. 

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Betting on the NHL MVP

How to Bet on the NHL MVP

Want to make a bet on the Hart Trophy? Go to your favorite sports betting site or Ontario betting app and check out the awards section. You'll be able to find the Hart Trophy odds there. Once you set up an account, you are ready to place your bet. If you place an early bet on a longshot, you have a better chance to win a big bet, but you can place a bet anytime throughout the season as the odds change. Come back to this page after the Stanley Cup concludes to see the new odds for next season. 

How the Hart Trophy Voting Works

The Hart Trophy is selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Each writer casts a ballot with five players on it and they're given points based on where they are ordered (10-7-5-3-1). Once the votes are tallied, three finalists are named. The trophy is awarded at the NHL Awards Ceremony following the Stanley Cup playoffs.

 
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How to Find the Best Odds

Odds vary from sportsbook to sportsbook so do your homework and visit a few before you place your bet. DraftKings is an NHL partner and has good information on its site and app. The other major sportsbooks also have dedicated coverage of the NHL sports betting scene. 

NHL Hart Trophy Winners From The Past 20 Years

Player

Team

Season

Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets

2024-25

Nathan MacKinnonColorado Avalanche2023-24

Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers

2022-23

Auston Matthews

Toronto Maple Leafs

2021-22

Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers

2020-21

Leon Draisaitl

Edmonton Oilers

2019-20

Nikita Kucherov

Tampa Bay Lightning

2018-19

Taylor Hall

New Jersey Devils

2017-18

Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers

2016-17

Patrick Kane

Chicago Blackhawks

2015-16

Carey Price

Montreal Canadiens

2014-15

Sidney Crosby

Pittsburgh Penguins

2013-14

Alexander Ovechkin

Washington Capitals

2012-13

Evgeni Malkin

Pittsburgh Penguins

2011-12

Corey Perry

Anaheim Ducks

2010-11

Henrik Sedin

Vancouver Canucks

2009-10

Alexander Ovechkin

Washington Capitals

2008-09

Alexander Ovechkin

Washington Capitals

2007-08

Sidney Crosby

Pittsburgh Penguins

2006-07

Joe Thornton

Boston Bruins/San Jose Sharks

2005-06

Martin St. Louis

Tampa Bay Lightning

2003-04

Peter Forsberg

Colorado Avalanche

2002-03

 
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NHL Hart Trophy Trivia

  • Wayne Gretzky's nine MVPs not only are the most ever in NHL history, but he also holds the record for most MVPs in any North American team sport, including the NFL, MLB and NBA.
  • There have only been two unanimous Hart Trophy winners -- Gretzky in the 1981-82 season and Connor McDavid in the 2020-21 season.
  • The team with the most Hart Trophy winners is the Canadiens with 17.
  • Joe Thornton is the only player to win the Hart Trophy after being traded at midseason. Thornton started the 2005-06 season with the Bruins, but they traded him to the Sharks.
  • The first American to win the Hart Trophy was Brett Hull, who won it as a member of the Blues in 1990-91. Natives of Canada had won all of the MVPs before Hull.

From OntarioBets.com

NHL MVP Award FAQ

The greatest offensive threat who can win the Hart Trophy includes Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid,  Nikita Kucherov, and Nathan MacKinnon. Connor Hellebuyck flipped the script this season, becoming the first goalie in a decade to win the Hart Trophy. 

Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar both have fringe chances of winning the NHL MVP, as both defensemen have suddenly emerged as dark horses thanks to their excellent seasons and leadership. Both had great seasons and could win the award next season if they don't take it this season. 

Connor Hellebuyck was currently the betting favorite across online betting sportsbooks after a dominating season and successfully won the Hart Trophy. The betting lines for next season are not yet available, but they will be once the Stanley Cup concludes. 

Author

Ray Fittipaldo

Ray has worked in sports journalism for the past 26 years, covering Super Bowls, Stanley Cup Finals, Final Fours and BCS national championship games.

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