We’re through the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and free agency, and a lot of futures have been updated in the sportsbook. One of the most exciting awards to bet on is the race for the Hart Trophy and for what feels like the second, third or fourth year in a row, it’s the same cast at the top of the board.
Taking a look at the key names that are expected to win this award, according to the NHL odds, which players are worth a BetOnline?
Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers
Odds: +300
To no one’s surprise, McDavid is the favorite to win the Hart Trophy. He managed an incredible 123 points last season in 80 games.
The main key for McDavid is staying healthy. Even with the 80-game season last year, he still hasn’t played a full 82 games since 2017-18. He has played in 56, 64, and 78 in each of the last three seasons before this season.
One other focus here should be motivation. If the Oilers are a good team, McDavid’s output should improve. If the team is bad, there is less urgency to have him over-exert himself.
The good news is the team had a good offseason, possibly finding their goaltender of the future in Jack Campbell while keeping Evander Kane.. The forwards’ group is strong and the team should be a playoff contender again.
Those are all reasons why bettors should be bullish on McDavid’s NHL betting odds.
Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs
Odds: +450
Matthews is fresh off an incredible season where he led the NHL with 60 goals. What’s wild is that he played in 73 games.
He finished with 103 points, which is impressive but likely not good enough to win the Hart Trophy. There were five other players that finished with more points than him and three players had 115 or more.
Matthews has an excellent cast around him and appears to be a player who is still on the rise. He’ll be 25 years old this season. If he continues his ascent and can muster out about 10 or so more points, he could be the Hart Trophy winner in 2023.
Leon Draisatl – Edmonton Oilers
Odds: +600
Draisatl is one of the best players in the NHL but he’s clearly overshadowed by McDavid. The two play alongside each other and are among the best duos we’ve seen, but McDavid is still the lead dog.
Could things change up in 2022-23? Possibly. However, it’s hard to make a good case for Draisatl to win this award. If McDavid is out of the picture – for whatever reason – Draisatl will get all of the spotlights. However, it’s hard to see the Oilers being any good in that scenario.
If McDavid plays the whole season, it’s hard to see how Draisatl finds a way to outshine him. While he’s among the favorites, this is the bet that probably makes the least amount of sense.
Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado Avalanche
Odds: +1000
Many people will be attracted to the 10/1 payout potential with MacKinnon but it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to have the stats to make the case. While he’s every bit as good as the other players on the list, he has a great supporting cast around him.
He simply doesn’t have to do so much and the Avs actually play better when there is more balance across the roster.
MacKinnon has never surpassed the 100-point mark in his career and he rarely plays the full 82 games. In the last eight seasons, he’s played the full 82 games once.
That being the case, it’s hard to bet him in this spot. While it might be boring, betting someone like McDavid makes the most sense here. If he’s healthy, he’ll be hard to beat.
