As the NHL prepares to drop the puck on the 2025-26 regular season, the MVP race is already heating up. Awarded to the most valuable player to his team, the Hart Memorial Trophy is the highest individual honour in hockey. With plenty of speculation about who will dominate on the ice this season, now is the best time to study the MVP odds and see which players offer the best value for bettors.
Last year, we saw Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck become just the eighth goalie in NHL history to claim the award. Who will earn the title of Most Valuable Player this season? Let’s check out the latest betting odds to identify the top contenders for this year’s Hart Trophy, along with a few longshots with the potential to make a run at the award.
Betting Favourites for Hart Trophy
This group consists of the NHL’s biggest superstars and the top names in hockey. While the payout may not be as big as some other names lower down on the list, these players have a realistic shot at being named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the 2025-26 campaign.
Connor McDavid +190
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, it should come as no surprise to see Connor McDavid at the forefront of the MVP conversation. The Oilers centre has already won the Hart Trophy three times and is coming off a 100-point season with 26 goals and 74 assists in just 67 games. There’s practically no limit to what ‘McJesus’ can do on the ice, and that includes becoming a four-time NHL MVP.
Nathan MacKinnon +450
If you watch a lot of hockey, then you probably already know why MacKinnon is a perennial Hart Trophy candidate. With great speed, high-level skill and incredible vision, the Avalanche superstar is a Stanley Cup winner and arguably the most complete player in the NHL. Having already won this award just two years ago, and with Colorado well-positioned for another strong season, MacKinnon could easily be crowned NHL MVP for the second time come June.
Kirill Kaprizov +850
He may not get the attention he deserves, playing for a small-market team like the Wild, but don’t kid yourself — Kirill Kaprizov is one of the top contenders to be named this season’s MVP. There’s a reason Minnesota is negotiating with their star player on what will likely be the largest contract in NHL history. The 28-year-old is already one of the top talents in the league and at this point, it feels like only a matter of time before he wins a Hart Trophy.
H2: Value Bets for Hart Trophy
Everyone focuses on the top names in the MVP race, but these awards rarely go exactly as predicted. Chasing the favourites can be costly and doesn’t always pay off, so keep an eye on these under-the-radar players who could surprise everyone and claim this year’s Hart Trophy.
Jack Eichel +2800
The key to cashing in on a longshot to win MVP is by spotting the players who are primed for a breakout season. This year, Jack Eichel is that guy. He’s coming off a career year in Las Vegas, scoring 94 points in 77 games en route to a Pacific Division title. Eichel is a former second overall pick and has been a very good player for a while now, but appears ready to be included in the elite category. As the top offensive player on one of the NHL’s best teams, his current odds offer excellent value for bettors.
Mikko Rantanen +6600
Despite a turbulent season that saw him play for three different teams, Mikko Rantanen showed NHL fans why he’s such a sought-after player. The Finnish forward put the Stars on his back in the playoffs, guiding them past the Avalanche and Jets with an explosion of offensive output. Now ready for his first full year in Dallas and playing on the team’s top line with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson, Rantanen’s Hart Trophy odds could lead to a massive payout if he picks up where he left off last season.
Alex Ovechkin +50000
Searching for a sleeper pick to win this year’s Hart Trophy? At 40 years old, Alex Ovechkin may be getting up there in age, but it’s clear that his lethal shot hasn’t slowed down much. The future Hall of Famer scored 44 goals in just 65 games last season, so another 50-goal campaign is well within reach. If that happens, the storyline potential could be too much for some MVP voters to resist. With a $100 bet winning a potential $50,000, a small wager on the Great 8 could be the smart play.
Who Will Be This Year’s NHL MVP?
With the NHL regular season set to begin next week, now is the best time to lock in your futures on this year’s Hart Trophy. We’ve covered some of the top contenders and a few strong value bets, but you can find the MVP odds on many more players at Bodog. This year’s race is still wide open, and picking the right player this early in the year can lead to some huge payouts at season’s end.