Connor Hellebuyck broke the mildew when he received the Hart Trophy for the 2024-25 NHL season.
Not solely did he turn into the primary goaltender to win the award since Carey Worth in 2015, however he was additionally the primary true lengthy shot to take dwelling the distinction since Taylor Corridor did so in 2018.
It was refreshing to see a brand new, stunning winner in what had turn into a predictable race for years, and never solely as a result of we tipped Hellebuyck at 150/1 earlier than the season began.
That mentioned, bookmakers predict issues to return to regular for the upcoming 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Connor McDavid is the outright favourite at +200 (bet365), with Nathan MacKinnon (+450) and Nikita Kucherov (+800) proper behind him.
Final 12 months’s runner-up, Leon Draisaitl, and Kirill Kaprizov spherical out the highest 5 at 10/1, whereas Auston Matthews could possibly be a stylish buy-low possibility at 18/1.
It might seem to be a idiot’s errand to wager in opposition to the favorites, however the different approach to take a look at it’s that with the headliners sucking up a lot worth on the high of the board, a couple of names are certain to slide by way of the cracks, like Hellebuyck did final 12 months.
2025-26 Hart Trophy picks
Mitch Marner (55/1, FanDuel)
Undoubtedly, probably the most vital gamers within the NHL this season, Mitch Marner, heads to Vegas following the conclusion of his nine-year cleaning soap opera with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Given how issues ended within the fishbowl that’s Toronto, the stress on Marner might be immense, and the media might be there to scrutinize each element of his debut season in Sin Metropolis.
Placing that apart, this transfer has the potential to work out like gangbusters for Marner.
Not solely is he becoming a member of a terrific crew, however Marner received’t be enjoying second-fiddle to Auston Matthews anymore. He’ll have Jack Eichel alongside for the journey, however the former BU Terrier doesn’t carry the identical weight as Matthews, which ought to permit Marner to shine by way of greater than he did with the Leafs.
Marner posted 102 factors with the Leafs in 2024-25, and he’s performed at a 104-point tempo over his final 4 campaigns.
Even a slight uptick from these numbers, and the polarizing Marner will land on loads of ballots.
Zach Werenski (500/1, bet365)
This might find yourself being my favourite futures wager for the brand new season, which is horrifying as a result of it has been 25 years since a defenseman (Chris Pronger) received the Hart Trophy.
That mentioned, there’s a cheap path for Zach Werenski to be named MVP.
The 2-way rearguard was sensational in 2024-25, and virtually willed the Columbus Blue Jackets to a surprising postseason berth.
Werenski completed the season with 82 factors and averaged slightly below 27 minutes of ice time per recreation. He wound up seventh in MVP voting, which is spectacular for a defenseman on this period.
Betting on the NHL?
The perfect half about Werenski’s case is that he’s the face of the Blue Jackets. There are some younger, proficient gamers on the roster, however Werenski is definitely the face of the franchise, and the crew’s success is tied to his efficiency.
Meaning if Columbus makes the playoffs, Werenski will get a ton of credit score, which ought to result in loads of votes for the 28-year-old.
Brayden Level (500/1, Caesars)
Maybe probably the most underrated participant within the NHL, Level has averaged 46 objectives and 89 factors during the last three seasons.
He has each probability to push these numbers upward a bit enjoying between Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel, which might put him on the radar for the Hart.
Most gamers with Level’s resume are within the 50/1 vary on the worst, so this can be a terrific shopping for alternative on a participant with professional MVP upside.
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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, however a long-profiting sports activities bettor with 10 years of expertise within the playing trade. He loves utilizing recreation concept to assist punters win bracket swimming pools, discover lengthy photographs, and discover ways to beat the market in mainstream and area of interest sports activities.
