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Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck makes a save on a shot by Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews as we analyze the 2024-25 Rocket Richard Trophy odds.
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck makes a save on a shot by Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews. Photo by Terrence Lee via Imagn Images

Auston Matthews isn't easy to knock off his Rocket Richard Trophy odds pedestal. Despite his comparatively slow start with four goals over 10 games, the Maple Leafs sniper remains the clear favorite at our best NHL betting sites.

Nikita Kucherov, last season's Hart Trophy finalist, has been enjoying another scorching start while scoring eight goals in nine games. He's the player posing the most significant threat to Matthews while trading at +650, according to the NHL odds

The leaderboard looks drastically different from how it appeared to start the season, with Tage Thompson, Mikko Rantanen, and Cole Caufield putting themselves among the front-runners thanks to sizzling starts. 

Rocket Richard Trophy odds 2024-25

PlayerOdds (BetMGM)Implied probability Profit ($10 bet)
Auston Matthews  +12544.44%$12.50
Nikita Kucherov+65013.33%$65
David Pastrnak+70012.5%$70
Tage Thompson +15006.25%$150
Mikko Rantanen+18005.26%$180
Cole Caufield +18005.26%$180
Kirill Kaprizov+20004.76%$200
Leon Draisaitl +20004.76%$200
Connor McDavid+20004.76%$200
Kyle Connor +2000 4.76%$200

Here are the latest notes regarding the Rocket Richard trophy odds:

  • Nico Hischier, who is tied with Caufield for the most goals (nine), is listed at +10000 through BetMGM
  • Kucherov (+650) opened at +3000
  • Thompson (+1500) has logged seven goals in 10 games. His odds opened at +8000, and his career-best is 47 goals
  • Caufield (+1800) is playing in his fourth full season while looking to score 30 goals for the first time. He netted a career-best 28 last season

Rocket Richard Trophy odds favorites 2024-25

Auston Matthews (+125)

There's ample reason Matthews remains the 2024-25 Rocket Richard odds favorite. His goal-scoring resume speaks for itself. The 26-year-old reached the 60-goal plateau in two of the last three seasons.

Matthews has failed to reach the 40-goal mark just twice over eight seasons. He scores goals as consistently as his team disappoints in the playoffs.  

And while he's currently tied for 49th with Alexander Ovechkin and many others, Matthews is a streaky scorer who can turn it on in a flash.

Plus, he leads the league in shots, averaging 4.7 per contest. His 8.5 shooting percentage through 10 games is just under four percent below his previous career low (12.2% in 2022-23).

Positive regression is almost certainly coming. And when it does, watch out. However, his current +125 odds at BetMGM are way too short to pull the trigger on now. 

The +180 from Caesars is more palatable. Still, those odds are a bit too expensive.

Best odds: +180 via Caesars | Implied probability: 35.71%

My 2025 Rocket Richard Trophy player to watch

 Leon Draisaitl (+2000)

Leon Draisaitl will need to go to work without his partner in crime for a while. While it's nice to have the world's best player feeding you the puck, Draisaitl should be just fine without Connor McDavid, at least temporarily.

That will also give Draisaitl, who has registered two 50-plus-goal seasons in the last three, a chance to step up. He's tallied six goals on 26 shots, a 23.1% shooting percentage. The 29-year-old is renowned for maintaining a high shooting percentage, so 23% isn't farfetched. 

His previous best is 21.1% (2022-23).

The Oilers will want to see Draisaitl shoot more though, even if that means his shooting percentage decreases a bit. He needs to for a chance to win this award for the first time. A winning $10 bet would profit $200. 

Best odds: +2000 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 4.76%

How to bet on Rocket Richard Trophy futures

There are a few critical areas to pay close attention to before locking in your Rocket Richard futures pick.

First, take a look at the player's recent goal-scoring record, ensuring they are consistently productive and have been knocking on the door in recent seasons. Also, ensure the player is still in his prime and amid an upward trajectory. 

It's also important to pick a player who plies his trade for an offensively explosive team. In addition, who is the player you're looking at on a line with? Does he have one of the world's best set-up men feeding him the biscuit, akin to McDavid dishing to Draisaitl and Zach Hyman on the power play?

Make sure the player you're backing isn't injury-prone or susceptible to missing extended periods.

Look at how proficient the power play has been in recent years and whether the player you're backing is in a weaker division. That will facilitate more opportunities.

How to read Rocket Richard Trophy futures odds

Reading Hart Trophy odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.

For example, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600. Negative odds (e.g., -200) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $200 bet at -200 odds would win you $100, plus your $200 stake, totaling $300.

These odds also reflect the probability of a team winning the championship. Lower odds (e.g., +300) suggest a higher likelihood, while higher odds (e.g., +2000) indicate a lower probability.

Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on performance, injuries, trades, and betting patterns.

Rocket Richard Trophy odds over time

(Odds via FanDuel)

PlayerOpening odds (July 2)Sept. 29Oct. 30
Auston Matthews-115-115+125
David Pastrnak+550+550+650
Leon Draisaitl+750+750+1900
Kirill Kaprizov+750+750+3000
Connor McDavid +1000+1000+2000
Filip Forsberg+1200+1200+5000
Nathan MacKinnon +1500+1500+3000
Brayden Point+2000+2000+3000
Zach Hyman +2000+2000+8000
Jack Hughes +3000+3000+5000
Mikko Rantanen+3000+3000+1400
Nikita Kucherov+3000+3000+850
Brady Tkachuk+3000+3000+8000

Rocket Richard Trophy past winners

YearPlayerTeamPreseason odds
2023-24Auston Matthews Toronto Maple Leafs +300
2022-23Connor McDavidEdmonton Oilers+1200
2021-22Auston MatthewsToronto Maple Leafs+350
2020-21Auston MatthewsToronto Maple Leafs+450
2019-20 (tie)David PastrnakBoston Bruins+1600
2019-20 (tie)Alex OvechkinWashington Capitals+550
2018-19Alex OvechkinWashington Capitals+650
2017-18Alex OvechkinWashington Capitals+500
2016-17Sidney CrosbyPittsburgh Penguins+1400
2015-16Alex OvechkinWashington Capitals+250
2014-15Alex OvechkinWashington Capitals+300

Rocket Richard Trophy winners by team

One of the newer individual awards, the Rocket Richard Trophy was first handed out in 1998-99, with Teemu Selanne securing the honor. If the team is not listed, they haven't had a player who won the Rocket Richard. 

Team Rocket Richard Trophies
Washington Capitals9
Toronto Maple Leafs 3
Tampa Bay Lightning 3
Calgary Flames2
Florida Panthers2
Pittsburgh Penguins 2
Anaheim Ducks2
Atlanta Thrashers1
Boston Bruins1
Columbus Blue Jackets1
Edmonton Oilers 1
Detroit Red Wings1
Colorado Avalanche1
San Jose Sharks1

NHL betting odds pages

Rocket Richard Trophy FAQs

Who is the Rocket Richard Trophy favorite?

Auston Matthews is the 2024-25 Rocket Richard Trophy odds favorite. He's getting +125 odds, which carry an implied win probability of 44.44%, according to our odds calculator.

Who won the Rocket Richard Trophy last year?

Matthews won last year's Rocket Richard Trophy after scoring 69 goals. It was his third Rocket Richard in the last four seasons. 

When will the Rocket Richard Trophy be decided?

The 2023-24 regular season ended on Thursday, April 18, which was when Matthews was anointed the NHL's top goalscorer for a third time. 

The Rocket Richard is awarded to the player who has the most regular-season goals. 

Who has won the most Rocket Richard Trophies?

Alexander Ovechkin has won nine Rocket Richard Trophies, the most of any player. 

Which active player has won the most Rocket Richard Trophies? 

Oveckin has nine Rocket Richard Trophies, while Matthews has three. 

Who won the most consecutive Rocket Richard Trophies? 

Ovechkin won the award four times in a row from 2013 to 2016. 

Why was it named the Rocket Richard Trophy?

The trophy is named after former Montreal Canadiens superstar Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the first player to score 50 goals in a season and the first to reach the 500-goal plateau.

When was the first Rocket Richard Trophy awarded? 

The first Rocket Richard Trophy was handed out in 1999. 

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