NHL Hart Trophy Odds: Auston Matthews Surges Early On
With one month of the 2023-24 NHL season now complete, we have a good view of who those top players are going to be all year long.
In terms of individual awards, none are bigger than the Hart Trophy -- given to the most valuable player in the NHL. While Connor McDavid is always the heavy favorite, this season isn't looking like it will see the three-time winner run away with the award this time around.
Let's take a look at the Hart Trophy odds, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Player
Hart Trophy Odds
Connor McDavid understandably remains the favorite for the Hart Trophy, but unless the luck of the Edmonton Oilers changes, he is going to fall behind sooner rather than later.
McDavid missed two games due to injury but over the nine games that he has played in, he's totaled just 2 goals, 8 assists, and 10 points. The two goals are the concern seeing McDavid led the NHL in scores last year with a career-high 64. It's a case of Edmonton's continued problems as they have few answers, sitting at 2-8-1.
Asking their captain to step up more than he already does may be a bit much, but if McDavid is going to be in the Hart Trophy conversation by year's end, he's going to have to flip the switch to being the best player in hockey each night. That's the answer for his Hart Trophy hopes and the Oilers' hopes of making anything out of this rough start.
At +300 odds, these could very well be the best odds we see him at all season.
Auston Matthews (+450)Auston Matthews is putting everyone on notice early.
The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't off to a hot start by any means (6-4-2), but they have the offensive firepower showing that you expect from this team, and it's all on the back of Matthews.
After a disappointing 2022-23 campaign where he scored just 40 goals, Matthews is on his way to making things right. Through his first 12 games, he's potted 13 goals to lead the league in that regard. He has three more than the next-best player and doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
When Matthews won the Hart Trophy in 2021-22, he finished with 60 goals. Considering he's on pace to score 88 this season, it's easy to believe he can -- at the very least -- hit the 60-goal plateau once more. He's added five assists to his output thus far, so assuming he can stay healthy -- which has been a problem before -- then he may be the favorite before long at his current pace.
At +450 odds, this -- like McDavid -- may be the best spot to get Matthews for the remainder of the season.
Jack Hughes (+500)What a start to the season it's been for Jack Hughes.
Hughes has looked like the best player in the world in this early part of the season. The 22-year-old has 5 goals and a staggering 15 assists to put a total of 20 points together in his first 10 games. He opened the season with +1700 odds to take home the Hart Trophy, and those have already lowered to +500, signaling his dominance for the New Jersey Devils in the early going and how he could be the favorite before long.
Unfortunately, the Devils' star is dealing with an upper-body injury that has him on a week-to-week timeline, which could severely limit any chance he has at taking home most valuable player if he misses too many games in this stretch.
Assuming that Hughes is to miss another couple of games for the Devils, this number could improve to the point where he becomes a longer shot than some of the others in the top 10. With the uncertainty of his injury, it's best to wait it out before considering a bet on Hughes -- despite the dominance when he's played.
David Pastrnak (+1000)After finishing second in the Hart Trophy race last season, David Pastrnak finds himself worthy of the conversation once more.
Pastrnak is on pace for another 100-point campaign. The Bruins forward has notched 9 goals and 8 assists, good for 17 points. He, unlike the three players above him in the odds, is neither playing for an underperforming team nor injured, which may make his longshot odds worth considering at this point.
The Boston Bruins have been one of the league's best teams in the early going, putting together a 10-1-1 record that leads the Eastern Conference. Pastrnak has been a key part of that as their clear leading scorer and top offensive player.
If Pastrnak and the Bruins can keep up their success that is so far mirroring last season, he has as good a chance as anyone to take home the Hart Trophy.
Elias Pettersson (+1100)Speaking of the great long shots to consider, Elias Pettersson is absolutely worth the look.
Pettersson is currently leading the league in assists and points. Yes, that's right -- assists and points. The surprise Vancouver Canucks have been an offensive juggernaut through the first month. They currently have the best goal differential in the NHL (+30), and Pettersson has been a big reason why they've been so good.
In 12 games, the 24-year-old has 6 goals, 15 assists, and a league-leading 21 points. While he's not on the two-points-per-game pace that Jack Hughes was prior to injury, he's still putting together a memorable season already.
Pettersson put together a 102-point season together a year ago, so it's clear he has the talent to keep it up; it's just a matter of the Canucks doing the same. At 9-2-1 as one of the biggest shockers early on, they have shown they can win quite a bit with what they're getting from the offense and goaltender Thatcher Demko.
If the Canucks can remain as one of the NHL's best until the end of the regular season, Pettersson should be heavily in the Hart talks. He will be a major part of their surprise season.
Looking for more NHL betting opportunities? Check out all of the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.
