2022 Hart Trophy Opening Odds – McDavid Opens as Favorite; Kucherov Listed at +800 After the Lightning’s Stanley Cup Win

• Opening 2022 Hart Trophy odds have been released
• Connor McDavid is the early favorite, while Nikita Kucherov is listed at +800
• See the opening 2022 Hart Trophy odds along with betting advice in the story below

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is favored to win a second consecutive Hart Trophy in 2021-22. The Canadian phenom has opened at +400 in the 2022 Hart Trophy odds after winning the 2021 award by unanimous vote.

Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov has opened at +800 after leading the NHL Playoffs in scoring for the second consecutive year. Boston’s Brad Marchand and New York’s Mat Barzal are among the other intriguing longshots available.

We lay out the top-20 favorites in the opening 2022 Hart Trophy odds and provide our best early bet.

2022 Hart Trophy Opening Odds

Odds as of July 14th

Can McDavid Repeat? 

Odds favor Connor McDavid becoming the first back-to-back Hart Trophy winner since Alex Ovechkin accomplished the feat in 2008 and 2009. McDavid received all 100 first-place votes in the 2021 Hart Trophy voting after an incredible season. The Oilers captain opened at +700 odds last offseason before finishing the year at -1100.

McDavid’s unanimous win has squandered his value in the 2022 Hart Trophy odds. He was so dominant in 2020-21 that oddsmakers aren’t taking chances with his price in 2021-22. McDavid recorded a whopping 105 points last season, which was 21 more points than anyone else.

McDavid is a generational player, but there’s reason to be cautious. NHL divisions will be returning to normal in 2021-22, which means McDavid’s numbers won’t be as eye-popping as they were in the all-Canadian division. There’s also injury concerns given the insane speed he plays the game at.

Kucherov Opens at +800

Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov has opened at +800 in the 2022 Hart Trophy odds after helping the Lightning win a second consecutive Stanley Cup in 2020-21. Despite missing the entire regular season due to injury, Kucherov returned for the postseason and racked up 32 points in 23 playoff games. He also led the 2020 postseason in scoring.

Nikita Kucherov assists Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) for his 3️⃣0️⃣th point of these #StanleyCup Playoffs. 😳 pic.twitter.com/NU6uPHIL5j

— NHL (@NHL) June 29, 2021

Kucherov is intriguing considering he won the Hart Trophy in 2019. The Russian superstar dominated the voting that year, receiving 164 of 171 first-place votes for MVP. Over the last three seasons, Kucherov is averaging 1.42 points per game, which puts him behind only McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in that span.

Despite his production, Kucherov isn’t a great early bet in the 2022 Hart Trophy odds. He’s in tough to win an award for “most valuable player” given his quality of teammates. Andrei Vasilevskiy just captured the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP, while Victor Hedman is a Norris Trophy finalist almost every year.

Longshots to Consider 

While it’s rare for heavy longshots to win the Hart Trophy, there’s often great early value among the top-20 favorites. New York Islanders forward Matt Barzal at +1800 jumps out as a solid wager in the opening 2022 Hart Trophy odds. He was one of the top players in the 2021 playoffs and has produced at close to a point-per-game in the first four years of his NHL career.

Just going to leave this here for review. #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/kuukP9P3wK

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 6, 2021

Another player to consider is Boston’s, Brad Marchand. The Bruins agitator finished fifth in the 2021 Hart Trophy voting season after a monster season that saw him record 69 points in 53 games. Boston is heavily dependant on their top line, so Marchand will need another big season if the Bruins wish to remain contenders.

The Final Word 

After what McDavid did in 2020-21, it’s hard to recommend betting anyone else in the opening 2022 Hart Trophy odds. Nathan Mackinnon will be right there with him if both players stay healthy, but you have to give an edge to McDavid. His skill is unworldly, and it speaks volumes he and Wayne Gretzky are the only unanimous Hart winners.

#NHLAwards fun facts:

🔶 McDavid is second unanimous Hart winner EVER. The other? Gretzky in 1981-82

🔷 McDavid & Draisaitl become first teammates to win Ted Lindsay back-to-back since Malkin & Crosby in 2012-13

🔶 McDavid is seventh player to win Ted Lindsay three-plus times pic.twitter.com/XUy4XnIO1m

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 30, 2021

Kucherov is an enticing option, but his teammate Vasilevskiy emerging as the best goalie in the league over the last few years doesn’t make him a smart play. Barzal is the better longshot, as he’s the only superstar on Long Island and could deliver his biggest year yet.

Back-to-back Hart Trophy winners are rare nowadays, but McDavid defies all the norms. He’s a generational talent and significantly better than anyone else. While there hasn’t been back-to-back winners in over 10 years, keep in mind Gretzky won eight straight Hart Trophies in the 1980s. McDavid’s absurd skill makes him the best early bet to win the 2022 Hart Trophy.

Pick: Connor McDavid (+400)