NHL Hart Trophy 2025: Favorites and the Outstanding Seasons They’re Having

The NHL Hart Memorial Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in hockey. It’s akin to the MVP award that other leagues give out. Presented annually to the “player judged to be the most valuable to his team,” the Hart Trophy typically sparks debate on social media and other circles about what “value” truly means.

We’re just over halfway through the NHL season, so, it only makes sense that the conversation is heating up with several huge performances from some of the league’s superstars.

The odds are looking good if you want to make a bet on who will win this coveted trophy. To help you load up your bet slip, we’ve put together the top contenders for the Hart Trophy.

Leon Draisaitl (+200): The favorite with Dominant Numbers

Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers is the odds-on favorite for the Hart Trophy. After a quick look at his stats, it’s easy to see why.

As of now, Draisaitl has racked up a total of 35 goals and 39 assists for 74 points in 47 games. These are insane numbers. In fact, these put him near the top of the league scoring charts.

His 20 power-play points just goes to show his ability to dominate the zone with the man advantage, and his overall playmaking ability has been pivotal for Edmonton throughout the season.

In his last 6 games alone, Draisaitl has been on a tear. He’s racked up 9 points consisting of 5 goals and 4 assists during that time. Even in games where the Oilers struggled, Draisaitl still found a way to contribute and try to keep them in the game.

He’s a force offensively, both as a goal scorer and a playmaker which keeps teams on their toes. His ability to deliver in clutch moments has kept Edmonton in the playoff mix, and his odds at +200 tell us just how valuable he is to his team’s success.

Unless something catastrophic happens, it’s looking more and more like Draisaitl will secure his second Hart Trophy in 5 years.

Nathan MacKinnon (+320): Colorado’s Offensive Engine

As the winner of the Hart Trophy last year, Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche is another frontrunner for the award.

As the Avs continue to fight for a playoff spot, MacKinnon has been nothing short of spectacular and a key component of their offense.

With 19 goals and 56 assists for 75 points in 44 games, he’s showing everyone why he’s been considered one of the best NHL players for years. His 21 PPP also highlights his dominance and control of the Colorado power play unit.

MacKinnon’s recent performances underline his importance to Colorado.

In his last 5 games, he’s notched 7 points spanning 3 goals and 4 assists. This also includes a 2-point outing against the Oilers last week.

With the Avalanche aiming to make a deep playoff push, MacKinnon’s production and leadership are key. They’ll need every ounce they can get out of him and he won’t disappoint.

His odds of +320 are signaling that he’s a strong candidate to claim his second Hart Trophy.

Connor Hellebuyck (+450): The Goaltender Making His Case

Goaltenders rarely win the Hart Trophy as they have their own Vezina Trophy, but it does happen. In fact, only 7 other netminders have ever won the Hart. 

Despite this, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets is making quite an argument.

With a solid record of 29-7-2, a 2.02 goals-against average, and a .927 save percentage, Hellebuyck has been a wall for Winnipeg. He’s also tallied an impressive 6 shutouts which makes him one of the league’s best netminders this season.

Hellebuyck’s consistency has been crucial for the Jets. While they have a solid offense, they do rely heavily on his stellar play. Over his last 6 starts, he’s posted a nice 4-2 record which includes a 35-save shutout against Vancouver a few weeks ago. He’s hot and he’s not cooling down anytime soon.

At +450 odds, he’s not just the top goalie in the Hart Trophy race, but one of the top contenders overall. His ability to steal games makes him invaluable to Winnipeg.

Connor McDavid (+550): The 3-Time MVP Still in The Hunt

Connor McDavid is no stranger to the Hart Trophy. Having won it 3 times already in his illustrious career, he’s considered by some as the best hockey player in the world.

Although he’s had a slightly quieter season by his standards, McDavid remains a key player for the Oilers right up there with Draisaitl. He’s already amassed 20 goals and 45 assists for 65 points in 46 games, with 20 PPP to top it all off. 

McDavid’s recent 3-game suspension and slightly slower production compared to some of his past seasons have affected his odds just a bit, but he still remains a game-changer whenever he’s on the ice. Of course, he’s going head-to-head with his own teammate which hurts his chances for the Hart Trophy as well.

His vision, speed, and ability to dominate games are simply unmatched and it’s easy to see why he continuously earns this award.

At +550, McDavid’s odds are good but also reflect that while he may not be the favorite, he’s always in the conversation for the Hart Trophy.

Kirill Kaprizov (+900): Minnesota’s Spark Plug

Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild has emerged as one of the NHL’s most exciting players in recent years. With 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points in 47 games, Kaprizov has unquestionably been the Wild’s offensive engine.

While his +/- rating of -20 isn’t what we’d call ideal, it highlights just how much his team relies on him in all situations. Of course, we all know that a +/- rating isn’t on a single player, but instead his line and the rest of the team.

Kaprizov’s odds of +900 make him look like he’s an outsider in the Hart Trophy race, but his impact on the Wild cannot be overstated. He’s still in the mix and a good 3-4 games could give these odds a quick boost.

He’s had some quieter games as of late, but his ability to take over a game at any moment keeps him in the discussion for the award.

What Makes These Players Stand Out?

The Hart Trophy isn’t just about raw numbers — Instead, it’s about how much a player impacts their team’s success. We tend to start with the stats, but you have to look deeper if you really want to know who’s in the race.

For Draisaitl and McDavid, it’s about keeping the Oilers competitive in a tough Western Conference. It’s already looking like they have no problem doing that. For Hellebuyck, it’s his ability to steal games for Winnipeg and keep them in the playoff hunt even when the offense isn’t getting the job done. MacKinnon’s offensive brilliance drives Colorado, while Kaprizov carries the weight of Minnesota’s offense.

Each of these players brings something unique to the table. Just a quick look at the names and you’ll see why this year’s Hart Trophy race is one of the most exciting in recent memory. Whether it’s a high-scoring forward, a clutch playmaker on the blue line, or a game-changing goaltender, the 2025 Hart Trophy winner will be someone who has truly carried their team.

Of course, anything can happen. Nikita Kucherov, Quinn Hughes, and Jack Eichel are all still in the race too, albeit with much longer odds. If either of those stars goes on a streak, they could easily flip this list of contenders upside down.

With odds shifting as the season progresses, fans will be keeping a close eye on these stars as they make their case for MVP honors.