NHL MVP Odds 2027: McDavid off to a Torrid Start in Edmonton

The Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player judged to be the most valuable to his team, making it one of hockey’s most prestigious individual honors.

Nikita Kucherov is the reigning Hart Trophy winner after capturing the award with another remarkable campaign that featured 130 points and his fourth consecutive 100-plus-point season.

While early season NHL MVP odds offer a snapshot of the favorites, the race is constantly evolving as players battle injuries, hot streaks, and team success throughout the NHL schedule.

Be sure to check back regularly as our NHL MVP odds and Hart Trophy favorites and sleeper picks are updated all year long – and keep these players in mind for our daily NHL anytime goalscorer picks.

🏒 2026-2027 NHL MVP Odds

Player	Odds	Implied Probability
Connor McDavid	-350	77.78%
Nathan MacKinnon	+700	12.50%
Nikita Kucherov	+750	11.76%
Leon Draisaitl	+900	10.00%
Macklin Celebrini	+1100	8.33%
Auston Matthews	+1600	5.88%
Jack Eichel	+2000	4.76%
Kirill Kaprizov	+3000	3.23%
David Pastrnak	+5000	1.96%
Jack Hughes	+5000	1.96%

Odds provided by DraftKings – accurate as of Nov. 4

NHL MVP odds 2027 favourites

  Connor McDavid odds to win the Hart Trophy | -350 at bet365

Connor McDavid leads the Hart Trophy odds at -350 as he looks to capture another MVP award after continuing to drive Edmonton’s offense. The Oilers captain remains one of hockey’s most dynamic playmakers, combining elite scoring with the ability to elevate his linemates and deliver in high-pressure situations.

His Hart Trophy case will depend on maintaining that production throughout the regular season and helping Edmonton remain among the Western Conference’s top teams. The Oilers also have championship aspirations, keeping the Stanley Cup odds relevant to McDavid’s campaign. If he leads Edmonton on another deep playoff push while dominating the NHL scoring race, he will be difficult to overlook in the MVP conversation.

McDavid has a whopping 40 points (9 goals, 31 assists) in just 16 games. His contributions and Edmonton’s hot start also has Mike Babcock rising in the NHL Coach of the Year odds.

Nathan MacKinnon odds to win the Hart Trophy | +700 at bet365

Nathan MacKinnon is second in the Hart Trophy odds at +700 after establishing himself as one of the NHL’s most consistent offensive forces. The Colorado Avalanche center combines explosive speed, high-end playmaking and a dangerous shot, making him a perennial threat to lead the league in scoring.

MacKinnon is also the favorite in the Rocket Richard odds, strengthening his case for another major individual award. His early-season goal production gives him a foundation for a potentially dominant campaign, although staying healthy and maintaining his pace will be crucial. If MacKinnon finishes among the league leaders in both goals and points while helping Colorado contend for the Presidents’ Trophy, he could challenge McDavid for MVP honors.

Nikita Kucherov odds to win the Hart Trophy | +750 at bet365

Nikita Kucherov remains a legitimate contender in the NHL MVP odds conversation, regardless of the uncertainty surrounding his future in Tampa Bay. His offensive production and ability to influence games make him a potential Hart Trophy candidate wherever he plays. The Nikita Kucherov next team odds market could also become increasingly interesting if his reported trade request leads to a move.

Kucherov has already recorded four goals and 16 assists for 20 points in 14 games during the 2026-27 campaign, maintaining his place among the NHL’s elite playmakers. His trade request reportedly stems from poor communication and a lack of respect during contract negotiations, rather than financial disagreements. Tampa Bay has publicly stated it has no intention of trading him, but the situation remains worth monitoring.

NHL MVP 2026 sleeper pick

Auston Matthews odds to win the Hart Trophy | +1600 at DraftKings

Auston Matthews is an intriguing sleeper in the NHL MVP odds at +1600. After his goal production dropped from 69 in 2023-24 to 33 in 2024-25 and 27 last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs captain looks to be returning to MVP form, recording 11 goals and 15 assists through 17 games. Matthews has produced regardless of his linemates, often playing alongside Jack Roslovic and Easton Cowan.

With John Tavares sidelined and Kirill Marchenko also injured, Toronto will need Matthews to carry an even heavier offensive burden. If the Maple Leafs can remain competitive through this difficult stretch, their captain’s elite scoring and leadership will be central to their success.

📖 How to read NHL MVP odds

Reading NHL MVP odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600.

🤔 Who decides who wins the NHL MVP Award?

For the NHL MVP award, or the Hart Memorial Trophy, it is decided by a poll of Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) members representing all the cities with NHL teams.

The votes are cast at the end of the regular season with each writer ranking their top five players for a points-based system.

The winner gets announced at the NHL Awards ceremony, which is often held in June.

💰 How to bet on the NHL MVP odds

Placing a futures bet on the NHL Hart Trophy odds is a five-step process that focuses on finding the best value.

1. Choose a Bookmaker and Compare Odds

Start by comparing MVP odds across multiple legal sportsbooks (e.g., bet365, Stake). Odds for longshot candidates can vary significantly (+2000 vs. +2500), directly impacting your potential return. Selecting the best price ensures maximum value for your bet.

2. Sign Up and Deposit Funds

Complete the online registration with the chosen bookmaker, providing necessary personal details for identity verification. When depositing funds, consider any available welcome bonuses, as these offers can effectively reduce the risk on your initial portfolio investment.

3. Locate the Futures Market

Once logged in, navigate the bookmaker’s menu to find the market. The path is typically: NHL → Futures → Awards → MVP or Hart Trophy.

4. Select Your Bets and Enter Stakes

Identify your 3-4 preferred longshot players and click on their odds to add them to your bet slip. For each selection, enter the same wagering amount (stake) to create your diversified portfolio. It is crucial to place these as individual straight bets, not a parlay.

5. Review and Place the Bet

Before finalizing, review the bet slip to confirm the players, the locked-in odds, and the total amount risked. Once satisfied, submit the bets to secure your longshot odds for the entire NHL season.

💸 Key Betting Strategies for NHL MVP Odds

The following three strategies focus on maximizing value, managing risk and exploiting market inefficiencies across the NHL Season.

1. The Preseason Portfolio (Maximizing Odds)

The core of this strategy is maximizing initial value by placing multiple, small, diversified bets immediately after the odds are released. Your focus should be on 3 to 4 longshot players who are in situations offering high-volume opportunities (e.g., a top line, go-to scorer). By selecting odds of +2000 or higher, you are constructing a portfolio that diversifies risk. If any one of your selections breaks out, the return on the small, pooled stake is massive.

• Example: Placing $10 on four different players —Player A (+2500), B (+4000), C (+2000), and D (+3000) results in a total risk of $40.

2. Dynamic In-Season Monitoring and Adjustment (Identifying Breakouts)

The second stage involves rigorous monitoring of your longshots during the first few months of the season (October-December) to identify an odds-shortening breakout. You are tracking a sustained run of excellent production (e.g., a player averaging at least a point per game through 30-40 games). This breakout performance will dramatically shift the market and prepare you for the third strategic step. Volume and consistency are the only metrics that matter here, as they validate the initial preseason bet.

• Example: Your $10 bet on Player B at +4000 sees their odds plummet to +300 after a dominant stretch where they are top 10 in the league in goals and points, confirming their status as an award contender.

3. The Calculated Mid-Season Hedge (Guaranteeing Profit)

This final, crucial strategy is pure risk management designed to lock in a guaranteed net profit. If your initial longshot has become a top favorite, you identify their closest rival and calculate the precise stake needed to place a bet on that rival. This is the “hedge bet.” The goal is to ensure that regardless of which of the two top candidates ultimately wins the award, you walk away with a guaranteed, significant return on your small initial investment, effectively taking risk off the table late in the season.

• Example: With Player B at +300, and their rival, Player E, at +500, you calculate an $80 stake on Player E. This maneuver guarantees a net profit of at least $320 (if B wins) or $390 (if E wins), securing a massive return on your initial $40 risk.

📈 NHL MVP Betting Trends

When wagering on the NHL MVP odds or any other NHL player award futures, it is always wise to research betting trends that have been established over the years. Here is a look at some key trends to consider before placing this season’s bets.

• There have been no consecutive Hart Trophy winners since Alexander Ovechkin in 2007-08 and 2008-09
• No defenseman has won the Hart Trophy since Chris Pronger captured the award in 1999-2000
• Only three goaltenders have won the Hart Trophy this century, and Hellebuyck this season was the first since Carey Price in 2014-15
• Five of the last seven winners have been centers and 10 of the last 11 have been forwards
• McDavid has been the only opening favorite to win the Hart Trophy in the last six seasons
• Hellebuyck became the oldest Hart Trophy winner since Joe Sakic in 2000-01
• Hellebuyck, Sakic, and Kucherov are the only winners over the age of 30 since 2000
• Every Hart Trophy winner between 2017 and 2024 was between 24 and 28 years old
• Draisaitl is the most recent European winner, winning the Hart Trophy in 2019-20

NHL Hart Trophy opening odds

Player	Odds	Implied Probability
Connor McDavid	+250	28.57%
Nathan MacKinnon	+350	22.22%
Macklin Celebrini	+650	13.33%
Leon Draisaitl	+900	10.00%
Nikita Kucherov	+1200	7.69%
David Pastrnak	+1200	7.69%
Kirill Kaprizov	+1400	6.67%
Auston Matthews	+1500	6.25%
Jack Hughes	+2000	4.76%
Cale Makar	+2500	3.85%

🏆 Previous NHL MVP winners by position

Our best NHL betting sites

To make sure you get the most value on your NHL odds, go to the best NHL betting sites prior to placing your wagers throughout the season.

Want more insights on NHL betting markets?

If you’re looking for more expert insight into the NHL odds and getting an edge on the rest of the market, check out more of our articles:

• NHL Calder Trophy Odds
• Selke Trophy Odds
• Vezina Trophy Odds
• Jack Adams Award Odds
• Conn Smythe Trophy Odds

🏆 Previous NHL MVP winners

❓ NHL MVP odds FAQs

Who is the favorite to win the NHL MVP award in 2026?

Connor McDavid is currently the favorite to win the 2026-27 Hart Trophy (NHL MVP). As of November 3, 2026, the Edmonton Oilers captain leads the NHL MVP odds at -190, ahead of Kirill Kaprizov (+725) and Nathan MacKinnon (+800).

Who won the NHL MVP in 2026?

Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the 2026 Hart Memorial Trophy, earning NHL MVP honors for the second time in his career after previously claiming the award in 2019. Kucherov recorded 44 goals and 86 assists for 130 points in 76 games during the 2025-26 regular season. He narrowly edged Connor McDavid by just 10 voting points, with Nathan MacKinnon finishing third.

When will the NHL MVP award be decided?

The winner of the NHL MVP award will be selected at the end of the NHL regular season. The winner is announced at the NHL Awards ceremony, which usually takes place in June.

How is the NHL MVP decided?

For the NHL MVP award, or the Hart Memorial Trophy, it is decided by a poll of Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) members representing all the cities with NHL teams. The votes are cast at the end of the regular season with each writer ranking their top five players for a points-based system.