Three of the last four Art Ross Trophies for the NHL scoring lead have gone either to Oilers captain Connor McDavid or his teammate and sometimes linemate Leon Draistaitl. They've also each won a Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player over that four-season span of time.
- Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is the odds-on -120 favorite to win the Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring champion
- McDavid is also the +200 chalk to capture the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP
- Kirill Kaprizov is the +150 betting choice among a deep field pursuing the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie
Whether the conversation is about the best NHL player prop picks, or the pick as the NHL's best player, to suggest Connor McDavid as the answer in each instance is not going to lead to the cause of much debate. Oilers captain McDavid won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's scoring champion in both 2016-17 and 2017-18. He was awarded the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP in 2016-17.
what an incredible goal by connor mcdavid as he walks the entire maple leafs roster -@zjlaing pic.twitter.com/8OcAY82wRA
— Oilersnation.com (@OilersNation) January 31, 2021
McDavid's closest competition in the Art Ross Trophy race is Oilers teammate Draistaitl (+450). As for the pursuit of the Hart Trophy, it's Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (+600) who is seen as the biggest challenger to McDavid.
Hart Trophy
It's easy to understand why McDavid is the betting choice for the Hart in the NHL player prop odds. He's able to overcome an opponent in so many ways. He can unleash his blazing speed and amazing puck skills to beat opponents one-on-one with the puck, or he can draw attention to himself and then dish the disk off to a wide-open teammate for an easy finish.
| NHL Hart Trophy Odds |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connor McDavid (Oilers) | +200 | +200 | +175 |
| Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche) | +400 | +600 | +600 |
| Auston Matthews (Leafs) | +900 | +1000 | +900 |
| Artemi Panarin (Rangers) | +900 | +1000 | +900 |
| Jack Eichel (Sabres | +1100 | +1200 | +1400 |
His career points per game average of 1.36 are fifth all-time among players who've played a minimum of 350 games.
Most Points Per Game in #NHL History (min 350 GP):
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) February 9, 2021
Wayne Gretzky - 1.92
Mario Lemieux - 1.88
Mike Bossy - 1.50
Bobby Orr - 1.39
Connor McDavid - 1.36
Marcel Dionne - 1.31
Sidney Crosby - 1.28
The only thing that's proven capable of slowing MacKinnon down is injuries. He endured a two-week absence this season due to a lower-body injury.
In last spring's playoffs, he averaged nearly two points per game, with 23 in 13 games.
Art Ross Trophy
McDavid and Draistaitl were the first Oilers teammates to each accumulate 25 points through the first 14 games of the season since Edmonton legends Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri in 1984-85.
#Oilers win a game when neither Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl record a point for the first time since November 28, 2017 vs Arizona
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) February 10, 2021
The value of those two in the NHL player prop Vegas odds and to the Edmonton, cause was evident in a Feb. 9 Oilers 3-2 victory over Ottawa.
| NHL Art Ross Trophy Odds | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connor McDavid (Oilers) | -120 | -118 | |
| Leon Draisaitl (Oilers) | +450 | +225 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche) | +1400 | +2000 | |
| Mitch Marner (Leafs) | +1600 | +1000 | |
| Auston Matthews (Leafs) | +1800 | +2200 |
It was Edmonton's first win where neither McDavid or Draisaitl registered a point since Nov. 28, 2017.
Calder Trophy
New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere and goalie Igor Shesterkin were the opening-line favorites for the Calder in the NHL player prop odds.
| NHL Calder Trophy Odds | | |
|---|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov (Wild) | +150 | +150 |
| Ty Smith (Devils) | +600 | +600 |
| Tim Stutzle (Senators) | +600 | +1400 |
| Alexis Lafreniere | +700 | +750 |
However, Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov surged ahead thanks to a fast start to his first NHL season.
Kirill Kaprizov literally never wants to leave the ice. #MNWild pic.twitter.com/Uyof0gempe
— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) February 13, 2021
The Russian is leading all rookies in scoring. He already has netted a game-winning goal and an overtime winner.
Vezina Trophy
Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy was the Vezina winner two years ago and he's the current chalk in the NHL player prop picks at +550.
A way too early leaderboard in goals saved above expected:
— Evolving-Hockey (@EvolvingHockey) February 7, 2021
Andrei Vasilevskiy - 5.73
Philipp Grubauer - 5.27
Petr Mrazek - 5.02
Calvin Petersen - 4.67
Mackenzie Blackwood - 3.90
He's among the NHL leaders in both GAA and save percentage.
| NHL Vezina Trophy Odds | | |
|---|---|---|
| Andrei Vasilvevskiy (Lightning) | +550 | +250 |
| Carter Hart (Flyers) | +750 | +700 |
| Connor Hellebuyck (Jets) | +950 | +1200 |
| Carey Price (Canadiens | +1000 | +1000 |
Backstopping a resurgent Montreal team, 2014-15 Vezina winner Carey Price is a solid value play at +1000.
Norris Trophy
Last season, Cale Makar became the first Colorado defenseman to win the Calder Trophy. This season, he's a solid favorite to be the first Avs defender to capture the Norris Trophy.
Who do you think is the best defenceman in the #NHL right now? Is it already Cale Makar? 🤔👇
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 13, 2021
.@CarloColaiacovo shares his take. Do you agree? @SportsCentre pic.twitter.com/Y8MKolGw2b
He'll face tough opposition from Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman. He's a past Norris winner and the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy holder.
| NHL Norris Trophy Odds | | |
|---|---|---|
| Cale Makar (Avalanche) | +205 | +300 |
| Victor Hedman (Lightning) | +500 | +700 |
| John Carlson (Capitals) | +1000 | +1200 |
| Shea Theodore (Golden Knights) | +1200 | +1000 |
| Quinn Hughes (Canucks) | +1400 | +600 |
Vancouver's Quinn Hughes may very well lead NHL defensemen in points. However, his play in his own end is leading to a horrid minus number next to his name, which will prohibit him from gaining traction in the Norris race.
Where To Bet On NHL Player Prop Picks
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Thanks to Leon Draisaitl's 2 (off 1G-1A) in a 3-1 @EdmontonOilers win over the Sens earlier tonight, he and Connor McDavid have already both hit the 25 point mark. That ties them behind only 5 sets of teammates on this list of sensational scoring starts to a season since 1985-86 pic.twitter.com/GllTHrliPu
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) February 9, 2021
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