We’re a month into the new NHL season, and it already looks like the Hart Trophy race is going to be wide open, which is great news for bettors.
For years, fans and bettors had become accustomed to this award coming down to a matchup between Connor McDavid and the Field, but the landscape has changed over the past calendar year. McDavid is still one of the favorites, but a new generation of heavyweights has emerged, making this a Kentucky Derby-style race with plenty of worthy contenders.
Right now, there are four players that bettors should consider getting in on now, as it won’t be long before those numbers start to explode.
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche (28/1, Césars)
It’s been 25 years since a defenseman (Chris Pronger) won the Hart Trophy, but that streak could end if Cale Makar keeps up this pace.
Not only does Makar have seven more points than any other defenseman, but he is also just two points behind Mark Scheifele for the league lead through Tuesday night.
If any other defender played at a pace of 113 points in the first month, one would doubt he could maintain that pace, but it’s not that shocking to Makar. He’s played at a 94-point pace over the past three campaigns, so it wouldn’t be unusual for the 27-year-old to take things to a whole new level now that he’s in the middle of his prime. It also doesn’t hurt that Makar is a mainstay on the most dangerous offensive team in the league.
Makar should be one of the favorites to win the award right now, but you get a discount due to his position.
Betting on the NHL?
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins (75/1, bet365)
The Penguins have been one of the surprise groups in 2025-26, and Sidney Crosby is the team’s key cog. The 38-year-old has nine goals and eight assists in 14 games, and he’s also doing his part defensively, guiding Pittsburgh to an 8-4-2 record.
That’s a big “if,” but if the Penguins surprise and make the playoffs, the Crosby-loving hockey media will have a hard time ignoring his case for a third Hart Trophy, and his first since 2014.
Macklin Celebrini, San José Sharks (150/1, Césars)
It’s quite possible that Macklin Celebrini is already one of the top five forwards in the NHL. A dynamo with the puck, Celebrini is tied for sixth in the NHL with 18 points (7 G, 11 A), and his play numbers are off the charts, especially when compared to the help he has around him.
We’ve seen generational stars make giant leaps in their sophomore years, and it looks like Celebrini is poised to do just that.
As long as he stays healthy, Celebrini has a chance to surpass the 100-point mark, especially if San Jose continues to move in the right direction.
Connor Bédard, Chicago Blackhawks (200/1, bet365)
Everything went wrong for Connor Bédard last season. The situation became so serious that the hockey world wondered if we had exaggerated Bédard’s pedigree before his draft year.
It appears that rumors of his disappearance have been greatly exaggerated.
Not only is Bédard on track to collect 101 points, but the Blackhawks look like they could be relevant in the Western Conference playoff race this season.
If Bédard continues to roll and the Blackhawks stay in the mix, he will start to climb the betting board very quickly.
Why trust New York Post betting
Michael Leboff is a longtime Islanders fan, but a lifelong sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gaming industry. He loves using game theory to help bettors win pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
