2026 Hart Trophy Odds: Connor McDavid Favored for NHL MVP
Updated:
- The 2026 Hart Trophy is a two-horse race between Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid, with Nathan MacKinnon the third finalist
- Prediction markets have it nearly dead even at the top heading into the reveal
- The winner is revealed Thursday. Track how the odds moved all season below
The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association has handed out the Hart Memorial Trophy to the league’s most valuable player since 1926. That’s a full 16 years before the Original Six era began. The 2026 race is down to three finalists, and the winner gets revealed Thursday. See the latest odds below.
This year’s finalists are Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. It’s tight at the top. On Polymarket, Kucherov sits at 43% and McDavid at 42%, with MacKinnon back at 4%.
McDavid still has the loudest resume. He led the NHL with 138 points and already won the Art Ross and the Ted Lindsay. But the market gives Kucherov a real edge, so Thursday’s reveal is far from a lock.
2026 NHL Hart Trophy Odds
Player
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 Celebrini, Macklin |
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Pettersson, Elias |
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Hart Trophy odds shown in the table above are updated every 20-30 minutes from FanDuel, DraftKings and other reputable sports betting sites. With the winner about to be announced, most books have closed the market, so the live prices come from Polymarket. If you’re not already signed up at FanDuel, claim the best signup bonus with the FanDuel promo code.
Top Hart Trophy Contenders
Live Hart Trophy odds graph via Polymarket, updated in real time as traders react to the latest news.
- [June 10]: With the books closed ahead of Thursday’s reveal, Polymarket has it nearly even: Kucherov 43%, McDavid 42%, MacKinnon 4%.
- [May 8]: The PHWA named MacKinnon, Kucherov and McDavid as the three Hart finalists. Sportsbook closing odds had MacKinnon the favorite at -135, Kucherov +165, McDavid +950.
- [April 1]: MacKinnon wrapped the season as the NHL’s goal leader with 48. His odds shortened as Colorado ran away with the Central.
- [January 15]: McDavid pulled clear in the points race and climbed the Hart board, though MacKinnon stayed the betting favorite into the spring.
- [September 8]: McDavid opened the season as the Hart favorite at +200, with MacKinnon (+440) and Kucherov (+600) right behind.
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NHL Hart Trophy Trends to Consider
- Connor Hellebuyck broke the goaltender drought in 2025. He was the first netminder since Carey Price (2014-15) to win the Hart, proving goalies can still grab the award with a huge season.
- It’s almost impossible to win the Hart if your team misses the playoffs. It hasn’t happened since Mario Lemieux in 1988, and only four times in league history. Edmonton made the playoffs, so McDavid is clear of that trap.
- The Hart winner usually leads the league in goals, points, or both. McDavid led in points with 138. MacKinnon led in goals with 48. Both finalists check a box.
- Award sweeps matter. McDavid already won the Art Ross and the Ted Lindsay this season, a combo that often points to the Hart. The catch: writers vote the Hart, and they may lean toward Kucherov.
Last 10 Hart Trophy Winners
| Year | Player | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) | 72 | N/A (2.00 GAA) | N/A (.925 SV%) | N/A (47 W) | 31 |
| 2023-2024 | Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) | 82 | 51 | 89 | 140 | 28 |
| 2022-2023 | Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) | 82 | 64 | 89 | 153 | 26 |
| 2021-2022 | Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) | 73 | 60 | 46 | 106 | 24 |
| 2020-2021 | Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) | 56 | 33 | 72 | 105 | 24 |
| 2019-2020 | Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) | 71 | 43 | 67 | 110 | 24 |
| 2018-2019 | Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) | 82 | 41 | 87 | 128 | 25 |
| 2017-2018 | Taylor Hall (New Jersey Devils) | 76 | 39 | 54 | 93 | 26 |
| 2016-2017 | Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) | 82 | 30 | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 2015-2016 | Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) | 82 | 46 | 60 | 106 | 27 |
Connor Hellebuyck made history in 2025 as just the second goaltender to win the Hart in the last 20 years. His 47 wins tied for the second-most in NHL history, and his 2.00 GAA led all qualified netminders.
McDavid is the active leader with three Hart Trophies and is chasing his fourth. MacKinnon, the 2024 winner with a 140-point season, would be a rare repeat MVP if he sneaks in.
Players with Multiple Hart Trophies
| Player | Hart Trophies | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Gretzky | 9 | 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989 |
| Gordie Howe | 6 | 1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963 |
| Eddie Shore | 4 | 1933, 1935, 1936, 1938 |
| Bobby Clarke | 3 | 1973, 1975, 1976 |
| Connor McDavid | 3 | 2017, 2021, 2023 |
| Mario Lemieux | 3 | 1988, 1993, 1996 |
| Howie Morenz | 3 | 1928, 1931, 1932 |
| Bobby Orr | 3 | 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| Alex Ovechkin | 3 | 2008, 2009, 2013 |
| Sidney Crosby | 2 | 2007, 2014 |
| Dominik Hasek | 2 | 1997, 1998 |
| Phil Esposito | 2 | 1969, 1974 |
| Mark Messier | 2 | 1990, 1992 |
McDavid, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are the only active players with multiple Harts. A win Thursday would push McDavid to four, joining Gretzky, Howe and Shore in that group. Kucherov, a one-time winner in 2019, is in his way.
Archived Hart Trophy odds:
Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
