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Nathan MacKinnon has been in the charge of the NHL MVP odds for most of the 2025-26 season, so it's no surprise to see him named as one of the three Hart Trophy finalists.
Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid are likely just there to round out the trifecta.
Check out the latest NHL odds below.
Odds to win 2025-26 NHL MVP award
Player
Nathan MacKinnon
-135
Nikita Kucherov
+165
Connor McDavid
+950
These were the closing odds to win the Hart Trophy at BET99, one of our best betting sites. Sign up with our BET99 promo code, or get one of our other sportsbook promos.
Odds movement
5/8: Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, and Connor McDavid have been named as the three finalists for the 2025-26 Hart Trophy. While McDavid won the Art Ross Trophy for most points, MacKinnon won the "Rocket" Richard Trophy for most goals and led the NHL with a staggering +57 rating for the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche.
4/2: Nathan MacKinnon started to feel the heat from Kucherov, and he's responded with five goals in five games. That's helped separate him from Kuch just a bit, but the race isn't over just yet.
Both Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini are still listed, but the lack of team success is keeping their odds high.
3/23: Nathan MacKinnon backers look away, things might get ugly. The race for the MVP has gotten interesting, with books teetering on favoring Tampa's superstar over Nate.
Kuch now leads the league in points, and while his Bolts don't possess the same shiny record Colorado does, they'll win more than enough games to sway voters.
3/4: Nathan MacKinnon is holding on to the top spot, but there's been a big shakeup under him. Macklin Celebrini has fallen into third, while Nikita Kucherov has leapfrogged both Celebrini and Connor McDavid.
While Nate is still -190, it's important to note he was once as short as -450. The race is far from over.
NHL MVP prediction
I'm totally fine with taking MacKinnon at -190. He still paces the NHL in goals, and McDavid is the only player with more points on the season. MacKinnon is the best player on the best team in the league, and he'll win his second Hart Trophy in three years.
Bet
Odds
Bet date
Units
Nathan MacKinnon
-190
March 4
2
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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:
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.
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.
Hart Trophy betting splits
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Highest ticket percentage: Nathan MacKinnon (16.7%)
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Highest handle percentage: Nathan MacKinnon (32.8%)
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Biggest liability: Macklin Celebrini
Data courtesy of BetMGM.
Popular NHL futures markets
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Stanley Cup odds
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NHL Rocket Richard odds
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NHL Vezina Trophy odds
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NHL Calder Trophy odds
NHL Hart Trophy trends
NHL Hart Trophy history
A quick look at recent NHL MVPs and the position they played.
Season
Player
Position
Team
2024-25
Connor Hellebuyck
Goalie
Winnipeg Jets
2023-24
Nathan MacKinnon
Center
Colorado Avalanche
2022-23
Connor McDavid
Center
Edmonton Oilers
2021-22
Auston Matthews
Center
Toronto Maple Leafs
2020-21
Connor McDavid
Center
Edmonton Oilers
2019-20
Leon Draisaitl
Center
Edmonton Oilers
2018-19
Nikita Kucherov
Right Wing
Tampa Bay Lightning
2017-18
Taylor Hall
Left Wing
New Jersey Devils
2016-17
Connor McDavid
Center
Edmonton Oilers
2015-16
Patrick Kane
Right Wing
Chicago Blackhawks
2014-15
Carey Price
Goalie
Montreal Canadiens
2013-14
Sidney Crosby
Center
Pittsburgh Penguins
2012-13
Alexander Ovechkin
Right Wing
Washington Capitals
2011-12
Evgeni Malkin
Center
Pittsburgh Penguins
2010-11
Corey Perry
Right Wing
Anaheim Ducks
2009-10
Henrik Sedin
Center
Vancouver Canucks
2008-09
Alexander Ovechkin
Right Wing
Washington Capitals
2007-08
Alexander Ovechkin
Right Wing
Washington Capitals
2006-07
Sidney Crosby
Center
Pittsburgh Penguins
2005-06
Joe Thornton
Center
Boston Bruins/
San Jose Sharks
NHL MVP award winners by position
Position
Hart Trophy awards
Center
55
Right wing
18
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.
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