Betting Odds for 2026 Hart trophy race headlined by Edmonton's Connor McDavid, Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon
The 2026 NHL Hart Trophy race may already be under way as the odds have already come out for next season's MVP with values across the board. It's shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in recent memory with more quality contenders than ever.
With odds now available for both winning the award and finishing as a finalist, let's delve into the top contenders and see if we can find great values.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
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Top Contenders
Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
- Odds: Win +210 | Finalist -470
- 2024–25 Stats: 67 GP, 26 G, 74 A, 100 PTS Playoffs: 26 points in 16 games
- Hart History: Two-time winner (2017, 2021), five-time finalist
- Team Performance: Led Oilers to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals
McDavid continues to be the linchpin for the Oilers, leading them back to the Stanley Cup Final. His playoff performance has been stellar, aiming to solidify his legacy with a championship.
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Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
- Odds: Win +450 | Finalist -140
- 2024–25 Stats: 79 GP, 32 G, 84 A, 116 PTS
- Hart History: 2024 Winner, Three-time Finalist (2018, 2020, 2021)
- Team Performance: Avalanche appeared strong contenders but lost in the first round
MacKinnon had a career-best season, finishing second in league scoring. His consistent performance keeps him in the MVP conversation.
Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
- Odds: Win +600 | Finalist +165
- 2024–25 Stats: 77 GP, 37 G, 84 A, 121 PTS
- Hart History: Winner in 2019, finalist in 2024
- Team Performance: Lightning remained competitive
Kucherov led the league in points, showcasing his playmaking prowess. His 121 points underscore his value to the Lightning.
Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)
- Odds: Win +950 | Finalist +200
- 2024–25 Stats: 71 GP, 52 G, 54 A, 106 PTS
- Hart History: Winner in 2020, finalist in 2025
- Team Performance: Key contributor to Oilers' success to back-to-back Finals appearances
Draisaitl secured the Rocket Richard Trophy with 52 goals, leading the league. His scoring ability remains unmatched.
Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild)
- Odds: Win +1200 | Finalist +380
- 2024–25 Stats: 41 GP, 25 G, 31 A, 56 PTS
- Hart History: No prior finalist appearances
- Team Performance: Wild remained competitive
Despite playing only 37 games, Kaprizov maintained over a point-per-game pace, highlighting his offensive impact.
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Dark Horse Candidates
Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
- Odds: Win +2000 | Finalist +600
- 2024–25 Stats: 67 GP, 33 G, 45 A, 78 PTS
- Hart History: Winner in 2022, Finalist in 2021
- Team Performance: Maple Leafs lost in the second round to the Panthers
Matthews' season was marred by injuries, limiting his impact. However, his scoring ability keeps him in the conversation.
Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)
- Odds: Win +2000 | Finalist +600
- 2024–25 Stats: 63 GP, 47 W, 2.00 GAA, .925 SV%
- Hart History: Finalist in 2020
- Team Performance: Jets topped regular-season standings
Hellebuyck's stellar regular season was pivotal for the Jets. Despite playoff struggles, his overall performance was noteworthy.
Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
- Odds: Win +2900 | Finalist +900
- 2024–25 Stats: 80 GP, 30 G, 62 A, 92 PTS
- Hart History: First-time finalist in 2025
- Team Performance: Avalanche remained strong contenders
Makar's offensive output as a defenseman was historic, becoming only the second blueliner in the post-lockout era to score 30 goals.
David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins)
- Odds: Win +3100 | Finalist +1000
- 2024–25 Stats: 82 GP, 43 G, 63 A, 106 PTS
- Hart History: Finalist in 2023
- Team Performance: Bruins remained competitive
Pastrnak's consistent scoring placed him among the league's elite, tying for third in points.
Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights)
Odds: Win +3200 | Finalist +950
2024–25 Stats: 76 GP, 27 G, 67 A, 94 PTS
Hart History: No prior finalist appearances
Team Performance: Golden Knights remained strong contenders
Eichel's playmaking was instrumental for the Golden Knights, showcasing his value as a top center.
Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils)
- Odds: Win +3400 | Finalist +850
- 2024–25 Stats: 62 GP, 27 G, 43 A, 70 PTS
- Hart History: No prior finalist appearances
- Team Performance: Devils faced challenges
Hughes' season was cut short due to shoulder surgery, but his per-game production was impressive.
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Potential Value Picks
Best Value Pick: Leon Draisaitl at +950 offers strong value, especially given his league-leading goal total that has kept him in the conversation for the Hart over the last few seasons.
High-Risk, High-Reward Pick: Cale Makar at +2900 is intriguing, considering his historic season as a defenseman.
Long Shot Bet: Jack Hughes at +3400 is a gamble due to his injury-shortened season, but his talent is undeniable and has been primed for a Hart-trophy caliber season for some time now.