Looking at the Seven NHL Players with the Highest Hart Trophy Odds
The NHL regular season is underway, with the season off to a fast-paced start. Already several players have started piling up the goals and points, asserting themselves as favourites for prestigious awards. There is no individual award that can match the prestige of the Hart Trophy, given to the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.
Already, several players have established themselves as leaders with the highest odds of taking home the Hart Trophy. Let’s look at who oddsmakers and sportsbooks have pegged as the leading candidates for this award.
Connor McDavid (+150)
The leader on all Ontario sports betting sites for this trophy is Connor McDavid. It isn’t hard to see why. McDavid has been the best player in the league for several years now, piling up the points and helping bring the Edmonton Oilers back to relevancy. After losing in the Stanley Cup Final last year but still taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy, there is no question that McDavid will be motivated. You can pencil him in for another season north of 120 points, which seems to be the floor for McDavid at this point. There is no reason to doubt the game’s top player.
Nathan Mackinnon (+500)
Mackinnon is the reigning winner of the Hart Trophy after putting up a massive season last year. He has a rare combination of strength and speed that makes him unstoppable, and the odds reflect the respect most have for the Avalanche forward. Mackinnon is the heart of what the Avalanche do, and the team will be hungry for more success this year after a disappointing playoff exit. While he may not match his career highs from last season, another dominant effort could make him a great bet for this award.
Auston Matthews (+950)
There is no player in the NHL who is more prolific at putting up goals than Auston Matthews. He scored 69 goals last season, which led the league, and has earned the Hart Trophy award in the past. His odds reflect the sheer talent the Maple Leafs’ center has at putting the puck in the back of the net. Matthews was named the captain of the Leafs this Offseason and plays in hockey’s most intense market. If he can lead the Leafs to a great season and pot another 60, he is a strong contender.
Nikita Kucherov (+1100)
It feels like Nikita Kucherov might be underestimated sometimes despite being one of the league’s most skilled forwards. He has four seasons of 100+ points on his resume, including an astonishing 144 points last year, and he has two Stanley Cup champions. His odds being this low might be slightly disrespectful, but it benefits bettors who like value. Kucherov will be the key ingredient for the Lightning as they look to return to their winning ways following the departure of longtime captain Steven Stamkos. If he has another year like last season, Kucherov could emerge as the Hart winner.
Jack Hughes (+1500)
Jack Hughes has had a hard time staying healthy since he entered the league, but when he has been on the ice, there have been few players more prolific. Hughes has been well above a point-per-game player in the past three seasons, and this year is expected to be a big one for the Devils forward. The Devils look primed to be a serious contender, and Hughes is the straw that mixes the drink. He is dynamic, fast, and highly skilled, and if he has 100+ points and the Devils are as good as many people think they’ll be, he is certainly a top contender for the Hart.
Leon Draisaitl (+2000)
Leon Drasaitl may sometimes get overshadowed by the presence of Connor McDavid, but he is a Hart Trophy winner in his own right, with five seasons of 100+ points. Draisaitl can make a strong case for being the second-best player in hockey, with a well-rounded game and dynamic goalscoring flair. The reason Draisaitl’s odds are this low is likely because he plays on the same team as McDavid, who gets substantially more media attention. But don’t overlook Draisaitl because he is a superstar.
Cale Makar (+2000)
The Hart Trophy pretty much always goes to a forward, and rarely to a goalie, but almost never to a defenceman. Only one defenceman has won this award since 1973, but if anyone can buck this trend, it is Cale Makar. Makar is the best defenceman in the league, a force of nature for the Avalanche who can play 25+ minutes a night, put up more than a point per game, and hold his own defensively. Makar has already received so many accolades in his young career, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see him add to his trophy case with a Hart. Still, the historic trend is likely against him due to his position.
Main Image: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
