Best NHL Futures Bets: Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) 2020-21

With the announcement that the NHL will officially return on January 13, 2021; we can begin to shift our focus towards futures bets for the upcoming season. Due to COVID travel concerns, there will be four divisions and teams will only play their divisional opponents throughout the regular season. The shortened schedule will be comprised of 56-games and playoffs will return to the traditional 16-team format.

With that said, let’s analyze NHL MVP best bets for the shortened regular season.

*Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

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Favorites

Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers (+450)
I’m sure you’ve heard of this guy as he’s decent, I guess. The best player off the rush in the league, McDavid’s speed and playmaking ability is only rivaled by Nathan MacKinnon. The winner of this award in 2017, McDavid is the rightful favorite as he has the highest upside league-wide.

While many will look to his career 1.33 points per game, what will ultimately help McDavid win this award is the offseason additions of Kyle Turris, Dominik Kahun, and Tyson Barrie. Perennially, the most top-heavy team in the league between himself and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have continually been mediocre due to lack of depth. Turris provides stability down the middle on the third line, while Kahun adds secondary scoring to go along with proven past chemistry with fellow star Draisaitl. Barrie will only improve the Oilers’ league-best power play that converted a ridiculous 29.5% of their chances in 2019-20.

With a better supporting cast, McDavid and the Oilers will be serious contenders in the upcoming season. Which will only increase his chances of taking home his second Hart Memorial award. 

Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado Avalanche (+550)
The aforementioned MacKinnon is continually alongside McDavid in the discussion as to whom is the best player in the league. With the Avalanche chalk Stanley Cup favorites – Nate has an edge for this award. While we can debate the merits of what makes an MVP, typically the award winners’ team is a legitimate contender.

While MacKinnon’s point production has steadily increased the past few seasons, he will be riding even more momentum after his otherworldly playoff performance from last season when he put up 25 points in 15 games. That’s a 94-point pace per a 56-game schedule. While that production may be tough to sustain, Mackinnon will surely be one of the league’s leading point producers while hopefully leading his team to the Stanley Cup finals.

Values

Brayden Point – Tampa Bay Lightning (+2200)
Fresh off a Stanley Cup championship and an unbelievable individual playoff performance -putting up 33-points in 23 games, Point will look to take even further strides as the Tampa Bay Lightning look to defend their title in the 2020-21 season.

With uncertainty surrounding the health of veterans Steven Stamkos and star winger Nikita Kucherov, Point will be tasked with shouldering the offensive load, a task he’s proven capable of handling after last season’s run.

Throughout the postseason, his five-on-five shot attempt and expected goal rate sat just above 60% which is exceptional. Look for Point to carry his momentum into this season and continue to be the newfound offensive driver of his championship-caliber squad as they look to be the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the 2015-17 Pittsburgh Penguins teams.

Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins (+2500)
25-1 odds for one of the best players of all-time? HELLO. While Crosby has battled injuries in recent seasons, he is still one of the premier players in the game and sustains over a point-per-game pace when on the ice. As the Penguins’ championship window remains slightly open, look for a motivated Crosby to show everybody he and his team shouldn’t be forgotten about just yet. 

Longshot

Mike Zibanejad – NY Rangers (+3700)
Despite missing 13-games last season due to an upper-body, Zibanejad had a career season. He put up 41 goals – surpassing his previous career-high of 30 in a mere 57 games. That was good for the league lead in goals per game (0.71) to go along with 34 assists. Stretch that out over 82 games and we’re approaching a 60-goal pace. While his teammate, Artemi Panarin, receives a majority of the hype, Mika possesses world-class skill while shouldering a larger defensive responsibility than his aforementioned teammate. Despite consistently seeing the opponents’ top line, he led the Rangers’ centers in Corsi-against per-60 minutes, while also excelling in shot suppression. If the Rangers make a serious playoff run this year, which is certainly possible, Zibanejad will be a major factor as to why.

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Jordan Anderson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jordan, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @Jordan_A03.