Hart Memorial Trophy Odds, Predictions, Best Bets 2025: Connor Hellebuyck Surging Up the Board

• Connor McDavid has received a three game suspension for cross checking

• Leon Draisaitl is the new betting favorite to win the Hart Memorial Trophy

• Winnipeg’s defense ranks top-12 in Expected Goals Against in All Situations

With the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid being handed a three game suspension for cross checking, Leon Draisaitl has the opportunity to grow his lead at the top of the oddsboard for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Draisaitl currently has the edge over the future hall of famer as he leads his teammate in total points and in +/-. Unfortunately for Draisaitl, negative regression looms large in the scoring department as McDavid averages more Expected Goals per game while also outpacing him in assists.

As for the rest of the MVP contenders, Nathan MacKinnon still leads the league in total points while averaging more than one assist per game. With his surrounding cast grading out very well in Expected Goals For in All Situations, MacKinnon is in a great position to sustain his blistering fast rate of points. The Winnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck meanwhile continues to surge up the oddsboard as he has been a dominant force in their net this season by averaging an astonishing 2.02 Goals Against per game.

Hart Memorial Trophy Winner Odds

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook. Click on the odds in the table below to head to Caesars Sportsbook and place your bets. $1,059 First Bet on Caesars

*Rest of field listed at +1200 or higher

Hart Memorial Trophy Predictions and Favorites to Win 

Not only is Hellebuyck the heavy favorite to win the Vezina Trophy, but he is also climbing up the oddsboard for the Hart Memorial Trophy as well.

Leon Draisaitl (+250) at FanDuel

While Connor McDavid hogs most of the spotlight as the best player in the league, Leon Draisaitl has quietly put together a more productive season as he currently leads the hall of famer in total points and in +/-. With McDavid serving a three-game suspension, Draisaitl has the opportunity to pad his lead over his teammate while shouldering a heavier workload during his absence.

Even without McDavid, Draisaitl will be in a great position to sustain his pace of points as the Oilers offense ranks sixth overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations and second in 5-on-5 Play. The Oilers center will need to capitalize on his opportunity as McDavid currently leads him Expected Goals and Assist Rate. Should you have bet on McDavid earlier in the year, then hedge some of your bet on Draisaitl as he will continue to weaken his teammates' case for the award while leading him in total points.

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Nathan MacKinnon (+330) at Caesars

After winning the award in 2023-2024, Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon is building a strong case to win his second straight Hart Memorial Trophy as he currently leads the entire league in total points. Not only is the Avalanche center generating more than one assist per game, but he has also been very aggressive in his efforts of pressuring the net as he currently averages 0.34 Expected Goals and 3.86 Shots on Goal per game.

Like Draisaitl, MacKinnon also gets the benefit of playing in a high-powered offense as the Avs front line currently ranks above league average in Expected Goals For in All Situations. This puts MacKinnon in a great position to sustain his current rate of points, keeping him in contention for the award for the foreseeable future. If the Oilers offense goes through a cold stretch of play, then prepare to lay a wager on MacKinnon to win the award before his odds drastically decline while he pads his lead in total points.

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Connor Hellebuyck (+500) at FanDuel

At the halfway point of the regular season, Connor Hellebuyck has managed to climb into the top-5 for his dominant level of play as the Jets' starting goalie is averaging 2.02 Goals Against per game and a .927 Save Percentage. His individual production has been instrumental in Winnipeg’s success this season as the Jets currently possess a seven-point lead over Minnesota for first in the Central division standings.

With the Jets' back line now residing in the top half of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations, Hellebuyck is in a great position to sustain his high marks in net and strengthen his case for the award. Especially if Winnipeg can continue to win at a high rate, padding Hellebuyck’s lead over the rest of the goalies in wins as well. If Hellebuyck were to win the Hart Memorial Trophy and Vezina Trophy, then he would be the first goalie to win both awards in the same season since Carey Price did it in 2024-2015.

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Who Will Win the Hart Memorial Trophy - My Pick 

Connor McDavid (+550) at Caesars

Just when Connor McDavid reclaimed the top spot on the oddsboard for the Hart Memorial Trophy, he came tumbling back down after it was announced he received a three-game suspension for his cross-check. This hurts his chances of winning the award as Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon will have the opportunity to pad their lead in total points.

Fortunately for McDavid, he will be in a great position to pick up right where he left off as the Oilers offense ranks near the top of the board in Expected Goals For in All Situations. McDavid is also projected to chip away at his teammates lead in goals scored as he possesses a higher average in Expected Goals per game. If you did not bet on McDavid to win the award earlier in the year, then now is the time to do so before he makes his return from suspension and plummets his odds in the process.

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Who Won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2023/24?

Nathan MacKinnon won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2023-2024.

Hart Memorial Trophy History

Originally called the Hart Trophy before being renamed to the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1960, the MVP award has been given to plenty of legendary names over the years. Most notably to Wayne Gretzky who won the award a league high nine times throughout the 1980’s, including a unanimous win in 1981-1982. Connor McDavid has been the only other player to win the prestigious award by a unanimous vote since Gretzky, sweeping the poll in 2020-2021.

Past Hart Memorial Trophy Winners

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the Hart Memorial Trophy Winner

When looking to make a wager on the Hart Memorial Trophy winner market, it’s important to acquire as many online sportsbooks as you can get that are available to you. This allows you to line shop the market as odds can vary between each sportsbook. When betting on Connor McDavid to win the Hart Memorial Trophy, his odds can be found as low as +390 at BetMGM and as high as +550 at Caesars. That is a difference of $160 in profit for a $100 bettor.

Another benefit of acquiring multiple sportsbooks is that you can collect multiple signup bonuses to help boost your bankroll ahead of the NHL season. FanDuel Sportsbook for example is giving new users $300 in bonus bets after creating an account and winning your first bet of at least $5.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

How to Read Hart Memorial Trophy Winner Odds

Before making a wager on the Hart Memorial Trophy, it’s vital to know how the listed odds work. Should you bet Connor McDavid to win the Hart Memorial Trophy at his current odds of +550, then a $100 wager would profit you $550 if he wins the award. Should you wait to see if he pulls ahead as a sizable favorite and is listed with a minus sign in front of his odds (ex: -130), then you would need to wager $130 to profit $100.