Latest news with #NHLHartTrophy
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon Highlighted in 2026 Hart Trophy Odds
Betting Odds for 2026 Hart trophy race headlined by Edmonton's Connor McDavid, Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon Image The 2026 NHL Hart Trophy race may already be under way as the odds have already come out for next season's MVP with values across the board. It's shaping up to be one of the most competitive races in recent memory with more quality contenders than ever. Advertisement With odds now available for both winning the award and finishing as a finalist, let's delve into the top contenders and see if we can find great values. All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. More NHL: 2025 Stanley Cup Final Betting Preview: Oilers-Panthers Set for Epic Rematch Top Contenders Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) Odds: Win +210 | Finalist -470 2024–25 Stats: 67 GP, 26 G, 74 A, 100 PTS Playoffs: 26 points in 16 games Hart History: Two-time winner (2017, 2021), five-time finalist Team Performance: Led Oilers to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals McDavid continues to be the linchpin for the Oilers, leading them back to the Stanley Cup Final. His playoff performance has been stellar, aiming to solidify his legacy with a championship. Advertisement More NHL: Oilers vs. Panthers: Breaking Down Game One Trends Ahead of 2025 Stanley Cup Finals Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) Odds: Win +450 | Finalist -140 2024–25 Stats: 79 GP, 32 G, 84 A, 116 PTS Hart History: 2024 Winner, Three-time Finalist (2018, 2020, 2021) Team Performance: Avalanche appeared strong contenders but lost in the first round MacKinnon had a career-best season, finishing second in league scoring. His consistent performance keeps him in the MVP conversation. Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) Odds: Win +600 | Finalist +165 2024–25 Stats: 77 GP, 37 G, 84 A, 121 PTS Hart History: Winner in 2019, finalist in 2024 Team Performance: Lightning remained competitive Kucherov led the league in points, showcasing his playmaking prowess. His 121 points underscore his value to the Lightning. Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) Odds: Win +950 | Finalist +200 2024–25 Stats: 71 GP, 52 G, 54 A, 106 PTS Hart History: Winner in 2020, finalist in 2025 Team Performance: Key contributor to Oilers' success to back-to-back Finals appearances Draisaitl secured the Rocket Richard Trophy with 52 goals, leading the league. His scoring ability remains unmatched. Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) Odds: Win +1200 | Finalist +380 2024–25 Stats: 41 GP, 25 G, 31 A, 56 PTS Hart History: No prior finalist appearances Team Performance: Wild remained competitive Advertisement Despite playing only 37 games, Kaprizov maintained over a point-per-game pace, highlighting his offensive impact. More NHL: New Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Highlight Unexpected Frontrunner Dark Horse Candidates Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) Odds: Win +2000 | Finalist +600 2024–25 Stats: 67 GP, 33 G, 45 A, 78 PTS Hart History: Winner in 2022, Finalist in 2021 Team Performance: Maple Leafs lost in the second round to the Panthers Matthews' season was marred by injuries, limiting his impact. However, his scoring ability keeps him in the conversation. Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) Odds: Win +2000 | Finalist +600 2024–25 Stats: 63 GP, 47 W, 2.00 GAA, .925 SV% Hart History: Finalist in 2020 Team Performance: Jets topped regular-season standings Hellebuyck's stellar regular season was pivotal for the Jets. Despite playoff struggles, his overall performance was noteworthy. Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche) Odds: Win +2900 | Finalist +900 2024–25 Stats: 80 GP, 30 G, 62 A, 92 PTS Hart History: First-time finalist in 2025 Team Performance: Avalanche remained strong contenders Makar's offensive output as a defenseman was historic, becoming only the second blueliner in the post-lockout era to score 30 goals. David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins) Odds: Win +3100 | Finalist +1000 2024–25 Stats: 82 GP, 43 G, 63 A, 106 PTS Hart History: Finalist in 2023 Team Performance: Bruins remained competitive Advertisement Pastrnak's consistent scoring placed him among the league's elite, tying for third in points. Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) Odds: Win +3200 | Finalist +950 2024–25 Stats: 76 GP, 27 G, 67 A, 94 PTS Hart History: No prior finalist appearances Team Performance: Golden Knights remained strong contenders Eichel's playmaking was instrumental for the Golden Knights, showcasing his value as a top center. Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) Odds: Win +3400 | Finalist +850 2024–25 Stats: 62 GP, 27 G, 43 A, 70 PTS Hart History: No prior finalist appearances Team Performance: Devils faced challenges Hughes' season was cut short due to shoulder surgery, but his per-game production was impressive. More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges Potential Value Picks Best Value Pick: Leon Draisaitl at +950 offers strong value, especially given his league-leading goal total that has kept him in the conversation for the Hart over the last few seasons. Advertisement High-Risk, High-Reward Pick: Cale Makar at +2900 is intriguing, considering his historic season as a defenseman. Long Shot Bet: Jack Hughes at +3400 is a gamble due to his injury-shortened season, but his talent is undeniable and has been primed for a Hart-trophy caliber season for some time now.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NHL Hart Trophy finalists: 2025 MVP contenders include goalie Connor Hellebuyck
NHL Hart Trophy finalists: 2025 MVP contenders include goalie Connor Hellebuyck Show Caption Hide Caption 'It's been a fun ride': Paul Bissonnette on being a studio analyst for NHL on TNT Paul Bissonnette shares what it's like behind the scenes at NHL on TNT. Sports Seriously The finalists for the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP to this team feature two former winners and the rare inclusion of a goaltender. Goalies usually don't win the Hart Trophy because they have their own award, the Vezina Trophy. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is a finalist for both awards this season after recording 47 wins, tied for second most in league history. Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, the league's leading goal scorer, and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, who led the league in points for a second consecutive season, are the other finalists. The NHL already announced finalists for the Vezina, Norris Trophy (defenseman) and Ted Lindsay Award (outstanding player in a vote by fellow players). Friday, finalists will be announced for the Masterton Trophy (perseverance), Selke Trophy (defensive forward), Jack Adams Award (coach) and Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship). The Hart Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Here's a look at the three finalists (listed alphabetically): Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers Draisaitl, despite missing 11 games, led the league with 52 goals. He set a single-season NHL record with six overtime goals, shared first place in game-winning goals (11) and multi-goal performances (10), ranked second in even-strength goals (36), and tied for second in power-play goals (16). He won the award in 2020. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets Hellebuyck led the NHL with 47 victories, one behind the league record. His nine-win edge over No. 2 Andrei Vasilevskiy was the largest gap since 1990-91. Hellebuyck gave up two or fewer goals in 40 of 63 appearances. He led the league (minimum 25 games played) in goals-against average (2.00) and shutouts (eight), was second in save percentage (.925) and starts (62) and ranked fourth in saves (1,539) and high-danger save percentage ( .845). He's the first goaltender finalist since Igor Shesterkin in 2021-22 and is looking to become the fourth netminder in the expansion era to win, following Dominik Hasek (twice), Jose Theodore and Carey Price. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning Kucherov second 121 points, 31 more than closest teammate Brandon Hagel, to capture his second consecutive and third overall Art Ross Trophy as points leader. He finished first in points per game (1.55), power-play assists (38) and power-play points (46) and third in even-strength points (75). He won the award in 2019 and is the only Hart finalist who's also a finalist for this season's Ted Lindsay Award.
