2025 NHL MVP Odds: Connor Hellebuyck Overtakes Leon Draisaitl in Hart Trophy Race After Late-Season Injury
2025 NHL MVP Odds: Connor Hellebuyck Overtakes Leon Draisaitl in Hart Trophy Race After Late-Season Injury
The Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL MVP at the end of the regular season, may wind up going to a goaltender for the first time since 2015. Connor Hellebuyck has propelled the Winnipeg Jets to the top of the league with his stellar play in the net. Leon Draisaitl's undisclosed injury has moved the league's top goal scorer behind Hellebuyck in the latest Hart Memorial Trophy odds market.
NHL handicapper Matt MacKay is back with updated NHL MVP odds. He'll analyze the two favorites in the Hart Memorial Trophy futures betting market and recommend which player to prioritize at their current price. Follow Matt's X account for further NHL betting insight and free picks during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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2025 NHL MVP ODDS
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2025 NHL MVP ODDS: Hart Trophy Race
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK (-135) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Hart Trophy odds
Connor Hellebuyck deserves all of the accolades for his performance in between the pipes this season. Winnipeg's goaltender leads the NHL in GAA (2.02), save percentage (.924), shutouts (8) and wins (46).
The Jets are going to win the Presidents Trophy, awarded to the NHL team with the most points accrued at the end of the regular season. Winnipeg is atop the league and set to make a run in the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Hellebuyck held the surging St. Louis Blues to one goal during a 3-1 win on April 7th. Then, he followed that performance up with a 25-save shutout on the road against the Dallas Stars. Both the Blues and Stars are some of the hottest teams in the Western Conference, so this is a testament to Hellebuyck's quality play in the net for Winnipeg this season.
Carey Price won the Hart Memorial Trophy as Montreal's goaltender in 2015. It's been a decade since a goalie has won the NHL MVP but we're on the verge of ending this slump with Hellebuyck's stellar play for Winnipeg.
Odds have shifted from +120 to -135 on Hellebuyck in the past week within the Hart Memorial Trophy futures market. I'd still invest at least one unit, up to three units, on Hellebuyck to win the NHL MVP at this price, considering Draisaitl likely won't return to Edmonton's lineup until the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin next weekend.
LEON DRAISAITL (+170) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best Hart Trophy odds
The Edmonton Oilers have benefitted from Leon Draisaitl's goal-scoring production on the ice during the 2024-25 NHL regular season. Draisaitl leads the league in goals scored (52), goals created (42.6), game-winning goals (11), goals per game (0.73) and goals created per game (0.60).
The source of Draisaitl's injury has not been disclosed. However, he's missed five consecutive games after exiting the Oilers' 3-2 win over San Jose on April 5th. Prior to injury, Draisaitl had recorded three goals and three assists in his previous five games played, scoring twice against Calgary, including the game-winner in overtime.
Draisaitl won the Hart Memorial Trophy during the 2019-2020 NHL regular season, so he's no stranger to being one of the best players on the ice in any given matchup. However, Connor McDavid overshadowed Draisaitl during the Oilers' Stanley Cup Finals run last year.
Draisaitl has shown us why Edmonton chose to extend his contract last offseason, inking an eight-year, $112 million contract extension worth a record-breaking $14 million via average annual value. He's returned value with the Oilers' investment based on his play this season.
I'd recommend sprinkling half a unit on Draisaitl, up to a full unit, at +170 odds. We haven't had this big of a number on the league's leading goal scorer all season. Injury may prevent Draisaitl from winning his second Hart Memorial Trophy but it's worth getting a bit of action on him in case the NHL MVP winds up in his possession for the second time in five years.
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Matt is an avid writer, editor, and researcher. He enjoys analyzing the game within the game which is fantasy sports and sports betting. Music is another constant in his daily life. Matt loves spending time with his wife and three pets. He likes to read, listen to podcasts, and is constantly motivated to create the most accurate and engaging content in the sports betting industry.