We're past the halfway point of the 2022-23 NHL season and one unsurprising name paces the field in the Hart Trophy race.
We're past the halfway point of the 2022-23 NHL season and one unsurprising name paces the field in the Hart Trophy race.
The latest: Connor McDavid is ahead of the rest thanks to a typical electric start. David Pastrnak is turning heads with his play, and so is Alexander Ovechkin.
Check out the latest Hart Trophy odds.
Check out the latest odds to win the Hart Trophy. Click linked odds to add selection to betslip.
| Player | Odds (Jan. 26) | Odds (Jan. 18) |
| Connor McDavid | -625 | -375 |
| David Pastrnak | +1,150 | +1,500 |
| Jack Hughes | +1,700 | +1,700 |
| Tage Thompson | +1,700 | +2,000 |
| Jason Robertson | +2,000 | +1,700 |
| Nikita Kucherov | +2,500 | +2,300 |
| Mikko Rantanen | +2,700 | +2,500 |
| Sidney Crosby | +4,000 | +2,300 |
| Leon Draisaitl | +4,000 | +3,500 |
| Krill Kaprizov | +4,000 | +4,000 |
| Mitch Marner | +5,000 | +5,000 |
| Auston Matthews | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds as of 2:05 p.m. on 01/26/2023.
The favourite: McDavid (-625)
The Hart Trophy conversation starts with McDavid.
The superstar's consistency is best exemplified by his yearly finishes in voting for this award. The phenom has finished no worse than fifth every year since his rookie season.
The Edmonton Oilers captain is off to a fantastic start this campaign. Through 49 contests, he's compiled 40 goals and 89 points, good for an impressive 1.82 points per game. He's only been held off the scoresheet in five contests thus far.
McDavid is also coming off his best statistical season since joining the league. He finished the 2021-22 campaign with 44 goals and 79 assists. Both marks were career bests, which ultimately resulted in a career-high 123 points.
Edmonton's inability to make the playoffs had been the biggest knock against the McDavid Hart case in past years. The Oilers are picking it up after a slow stretch and currently sit in a wild-card spot.
The 25-year-old, who is 10 goals away from his first 50-plus goal season, is the rightful Hart Trophy favourite.
| Player | Odds (Jan. 26) | Odds (Jan. 18) |
| Alexander Ovechkin | +6,000 | +6,000 |
| Rasmus Dahlin | +7,000 | +7,000 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +7,000 | +7,000 |
| Artemi Panarin | +7,000 | +7,000 |
| Igor Shesterkin | +7,000 | +7,000 |
| Kyle Connor | +7,500 | +7,500 |
| Adam Fox | +7,500 | +7,500 |
| Connor Hellebuyck | +7,500 | +7,500 |
| Nick Hischier | +7,500 | +7,500 |
| Cale Makar | +7,500 | +7,500 |
| Matthew Tkachuk | +7,500 | +7,500 |
Best value: David Pastrnak (+1,150)
It's hard to conjure up an argument for anyone other than McDavid, but we'll try to do so with Pastrnak.
The Bruins winger is putting together an unbelievable season in what's a contract year for him. He has 37 goals in 47 games, putting him on pace for a career-best 65 markers. Only McDavid has more goals.
He's doing it with a combination of his elite shot and a shoot-first mentality. Pastrnak leads the NHL in shots with 226, an average of 4.8 per game.
Pastrnak's best path to winning the Hart Trophy comes by winning the Rocket Richard Trophy. If he can take home the goal title, he'll certainly interject himself into the MVP conversation.
Every player in the league faces an uphill battle in competing with McDavid for the Hart, but Pastrnak has put himself in a position to have a truly special goal-scoring year.
Player to watch: Alexander Ovechkin (+6,000)
What year is this?
With McDavid (-625) flipping to a pretty significant favourite to win this award, we're looking for value above anything else when scoping out potential betting picks for this honour. Ovechkin, listed at +6,000 odds, certainly has a compelling case.
Ovechkin's just one of eight players who have scored 30-plus goals this season. He's also tied for 20th in points with 53. Through 49 games, Ovi's on pace for 52 goals and 89 points at the age of 37.
The superstar winger is having another fantastic season, and with his all-time goals race dominating headlines, his name will be fresh on the mind of voters.