NHL futures: Best bets for the 2027 Hart Trophy

Only three players in NHL history have won the Hart Trophy more than three times since it was first awarded in 1924. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid nearly joined that elite group last season, finishing 10 points behind Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the voting.

It marked the second runner-up finish for the award, which is given annually to the league's most valuable player, in McDavid's 11-year career and seventh time he was a finalist. The superstar center, who racked up 138 points in 2025-26 to earn the Art Ross Trophy, won the Hart in 2017, 2021 and 2023.

The 29-year-old McDavid now is looking to join Eddie Shore as a four-time recipient. Wayne Gretzky is the all-time leader with nine trophies and Gordie Howe earned six.

Kucherov's win last season was his second, as he also took home the award in 2019. The Russian right wing, who matched his career high with 44 goals in 2025-26 and recorded 130 points, was runner-up in 2024 and finished third the following campaign.

Another player who has been in the mix often of late is Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon. The 2013 first overall draft pick captured the Hart in 2024, was runner-up for the award twice and had his second third-place finish last season after topping the NHL with 53 goals.

Other than that superb trio, only Taylor Hall (2018), Leon Draisaitl (2020), Auston Matthews (2022) and Connor Hellebuyck (2025) have won the Hart over the past 10 campaigns. However, there is a youngster on the rise who figures to be a contender for years to come.

That player is Macklin Celebrini, who was selected by the San Jose Sharks first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. As a 19-year-old last season, Celebrini finished fourth in the league in both goals (45) and points (115), and he also was fourth in voting for the Hart. If Celebrini continues to improve, he could become the second Hart winner in Sharks history, as Joe Thornton won the award in 2006 after being acquired from the Boston Bruins earlier that campaign.

The 2026-27 NHL season doesn't begin until Sept. 29, but we'll take an early look at the best bets to win the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the league.

Who are the best bets to capture the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player during the 2026-27 NHL season? ... Join SportsLine right now to see Scott Erskine's picks, all from the expert who has covered the league and the sport of hockey for more than 20 years!