Nathan MacKinnon (-250) leads the NHL’s top goal-scorer race. The Rocket Richard Trophy is one of the most prestigious NHL awards of the regular season. Scroll down for the latest NHL Rocket Richard odds, analysis, and betting trends below and use them to help you score your latest payday on this NHL futures market.
Rocket Richard Odds 2026
Rocket Richard Trophy odds courtesy of bet365 and were last updated on Feb 09, 2026:
| Player | Team | Odds to Win Rocket Richard |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | -250 |
| Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | +350 |
| Cole Caufield | Montreal Canadiens | +1400 |
| Jason Robertson | Dallas Stars | +1800 |
| Kirill Kaprizov | Minnesota Wild | +2200 |
| Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | +3300 |
The Rocket Richard race is heating up, and right now Nathan MacKinnon has the inside track, leading the league in goals and sitting as the odds-on favourite at many sportsbooks.
👉 What this means: A $10 bet on Mackinnon (-160) would win you a profit of $6.25 for a total payout of $16.25 (which includes your original stake).
💡 Betting tip: The market thinks it’s “MacKinnon’s trophy to lose,” so you’re risking more to win less if you back him compared to longer shots like Connor McDavid or Jason Robertson, who still have a realistic path if MacKinnon cools off.
Rocket Richard Trophy Betting Trends: Last Decade 📉
- Preseason odds favourites rarely win. When looking at the opening odds to win the Rocket Richard, winners generally aren’t the outright favourites, but instead reside within the Top 5-8 players.
- Mid-range odds have been profitable. Over the last 10 years, the majority of Rocket Richard odds winners have had opening odds to win priced between +400 and +1200.
- Ovechkin & Matthews’ dominance. Having claimed a combined seven of the last 10 Rocket Richard Trophies, Alexander Ovechkin and Auston Matthews have been the most reliable betting options of the last decade.
- Fade longshots. With superstars such as Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Alexander Ovechkin, and David Pastrnak all generally residing among the league’s top goal-scorers each regular season, there’s been no room for a massive upset in the NHL goal-scoring race.
2026 Top Rocket Richard Candidates 🏆
Get to know this year’s top candidates in the latest NHL goals leader odds. Each of these featured players has a legitimate shot of winning the Rocket Richard Trophy and could be in a position to etch their name in hockey history at the end of the 2025-2026 season.
Nathan MacKinnon (COL)
The current favourite to win his first Rocket Richard Trophy, Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon, is primed to lead the league in goals this season.
Coming off of an MVP season last year, claiming both the Hart and Ted Lyndsay trophies, MacKinnon has remained hot this year and has grown a healthy lead over the competition in this year’s goal-scoring race.
Hopeful to become the first Rocket Richard Trophy winner since Milan Hejduk to secure the honour as a member of the Avalanche, MacKinnon is the odds-on favourite to win this award for good reason.
Nathan MacKinnon to Win Rocket Richard
Connor McDavid (EDM)
Looking to add a second Rocket Richard Trophy to his laundry list of accolades and accomplishments in the NHL, Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid is firmly in the mix to become the NHL’s leading goal scorer this season.
Having been named the award winner in the 2022-2023 season after netting 64 goals on the year, McDavid proved to the hockey world he can truly do it all on the ice. While he still trails MacKinnon in this year’s race, his explosive dynamic play is enough to keep him within striking distance of the league lead in goals.
Connor McDavid to Win Rocket Richard
Jason Robertson (DAL)
Rounding out the top three candidates to win the Rocket Richard in the 2025-26 NHL season is Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson. Having been among the exciting goal-scorers in the league for several seasons, the California-native will look to finally cash in on this year’s NHL scoring leader odds.
Still somewhat of a long shot to make up ground between himself and MacKinnon, Robertson has no shortage of talent and will continue to benefit from playing on the offensive powerhouse in the Stars.
While he’s only ever finished in the top 10 of the NHL in goals scored once over the last five years, this could be the season he takes a dramatic leap and finishes among the top of the NHL in goals scored.
Jason Robertson to Win Rocket Richard
How to Bet on Rocket Richard Odds
If you’re looking to place a bet on the latest Rocket Richard Trophy odds, then make sure to follow our step-by-step guide that’ll have you ready to throw down your first wager in no time. Here’s how to bet on the Rocket Richard Trophy in 4 easy steps:
- Choose a Sportsbook. Check out our list of NHL sportsbooks below or our in-depth reviews of the best NHL betting sites to find an oddsmaker that’s right for you. Take into account the latest NHL Rocket Richard odds, betting markets offered, and banking options available at each sportsbook.
- Create your Account. Click on our links to the oddsmaker of your choice and create your account. Account creation will require you to provide personal information such as your name, address, email, and birthdate, and you may be required to verify your identity by submitting a copy of a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Deposit Funds. Make your first deposit to fund your bets. Check out the available deposit options, select the one that best suits your financial needs, and load your betting account balance with funds to play with.
- Place your Bet. Navigate to the NHL futures section of your sportsbook, find the NHL Rocket Richard Trophy odds, select your wager, and add it to your bet slip.
Where to Bet on Rocket Richard Odds
Check out some of the best NHL betting sites below and find the sportsbook that’s right for your betting needs. Here are the best sportsbooks in Canada for betting on the Rocket Richard Trophy:
1. bet365
Regarded across the globe as one of the best NHL betting sites, you can’t go wrong taking your action to bet365. Equipped with juicy odds on NHL futures, bet365 has got you covered for all your NHL Rocket Richard Trophy odds wagers.
Along with their massive betting market library, bet365 also possesses some of the best customer support on the market, ready to help you navigate through any potential issue while playing at their online sportsbook. Sign up with bet365 here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Massive NHL Betting Library
- Competitive Odds
- 24/7 Customer Support
2. Sports Interaction
Sports Interaction is a Canadian homegrown sportsbook that offers a sensational sports betting experience to its users. Be sure to check out the latest Rocket Richard Trophy odds offered at Sports Interaction (SIA).
SIA does a great job of providing updated odds and lines on this year’s Rocket Richard Trophy race. Placing bets on NHL futures odds is simple and easy to do thanks to SIA’s user-friendly platform, and it will have you ready to cash in on this year’s goal-scoring leader in no time. Sign up with Sports Interaction here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Juicy NHL Awards Odds
- User-Friendly Betting Platform
- Great for Live Betting Hockey
3. TonyBet
Look no further than TonyBet. TonyBet provides a lucrative and fun space for bettors to wager on the latest NHL’s top goal scorer odds race. There’s no shortage of terrific betting markets and a great overall selection of NHL futures. Bettors can get some of the best odds on the Rocket Richard winner with this standout sportsbook. Sign up with TonyBet here.
⭐ Highlights:
- Terrific Range of NHL Futures
- Fantastic Betting Odds
- Visually Appealing User-Interface
Past Rocket Richard Winners 🕜
| Year | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | 52 |
| 2024 | Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 69 |
| 2023 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 64 |
| 2022 | Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 60 |
| 2021 | Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 41 |
| 2020 | Alex Ovechkin/David Pastrnak | Washington Capitals/Boston Bruins | 48 |
| 2019 | Alex Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 51 |
| 2018 | Alex Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 49 |
| 2017 | Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | 44 |
| 2016 | Alex Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 50 |
| 2015 | Alex Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 53 |
How to Read Rocket Richard Odds 👓
In American odds format, a favourite is represented with a minus sign (-) and an underdog with a plus sign (+). The minus sign number shows how much you need to wager to profit $100, whereas the plus sign number shows the amount of profit won by wagering $100.
For example, if you wanted to place a bet on Washington Capitals captain, Alex Ovechkin, to win the Rocket Richard at -160, you’d need to wager $160 in order to profit $100.
Inversely, let’s say you wanted to wager on an underdog like Leon Draisaitl at +2500. This means if you bet $100 on the Edmonton Oilers star to win the award, you’d net $2500 in profit.
Smaller bets of less than $100 are perfectly fine! Check what your expected payout would look like on our chart featured below, or use our odds calculator to help you determine your next bet.
| Wager Size | -160 Payout | +2500 Payout |
|---|---|---|
| $5 | $3.13 | $125 |
| $10 | $6.25 | $250 |
| $20 | $12.50 | $500 |
| $50 | $25 | $1250 |
Rocket Richard Betting Tips 💡
Want to gain a winning edge on your upcoming bets on the Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy odds? Then be sure to explore my top Rocket Richard betting tips that can help you secure your next big win on this NHL Award market.
🥇 Back Players on Winning Teams
To win the Rocket Richard award, you need to score goals. To score goals, you need to play on a half-decent team. Makes sense, right?
That’s why, when you’re looking at betting on a Rocket Richard award winner, be sure to focus on players who are on winning hockey clubs.
The last time a Rocker Richard Trophy was won by a player on a team that missed the postseason was all the way back in 2013-14, when Ovechkin claimed the top goal-scorer honours after his Capitals squad narrowly failed to capture the final playoff spot to the Detroit Red Wings.
🤓 Research Line Combinations
To win the Rocket Richard Award, you’ll need some help from your linemates. That’s why it’s important to research the line combinations featuring the top goal-scorers across the NHL.
If you’re having trouble picking between two players, check out who’s the one passing them the puck regularly. If one player is sharing the ice with a gifted assist-man, whereas the other player is forced to be a one-man wrecking crew, the player who has better linemates will more often than not win the award.
Examples include past winners such as Austin Matthews playing alongside Mitchell Marner and William Nylander, Alex Ovechkin playing alongside Niklas Backstrom, and Leon Draisaitl playing with Connor McDavid.
🏒 Top Power Play Unit = Easy Scoring Chances
If you’re looking for a smart bet to back as the NHL’s top goal-scorer, be sure to shortlist players who are a part of their team’s top power play unit. Since power plays generate the easiest path to scoring goals, players who serve on this line are often an attractive look for bettors.
It’s rare ever to see any leading goal-scorer who isn’t a member of the top power play unit of their team. If you’re looking at a player to back and they aren’t featured in the PP1 spot, fade them to win the Rocket Richard.
What is the Rocket Richard Trophy?
As one of the newest NHL awards, the Rocket Richard Trophy has become one of the most recognizable in the league. The Rocket Richard Trophy is named after Hockey Hall of Famer Maurice Richard, a legendary goal-scorer who won eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1940s/50s.
The Rocket Richard Trophy was first awarded in 1999 to Anaheim Ducks forward Teemu Selanne and has been given out every season since. Players such as Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito, Wayne Gretzky, Charlie Conacher, Gordie Howe, Babe Dye, Brett Hull, Teemu Selanne, Pavel Bure, and Maurice Richard himself have all led the league in goals scored, but the Rocket Richard award wasn’t given out until the 1998-99 NHL season.
The most goals scored in a single season in the Rocket Richard era is 69 goals, a mark set by Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024.
The player with the most Rocket Richard Trophies is Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, having claimed nine victories in his illustrious career.
NHL Players with the Most Rocket Richard Trophies
| Player | Wins | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Ovechkin | 9 | 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022 |
| Auston Matthews | 3 | 2021, 2022, 2024 |
| Pavel Bure | 2 | 2000, 2001 |
| Jarome Iginla | 2 | 2002, 2004 |
| Sidney Crosby | 2 | 2010, 2017 |
| Steven Stamkos | 2 | 2012, 2020 |
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The Goal Line: Rocket Richard Odds
Don’t wait, hop the boards, and get yourself in the game this hockey season by placing a bet on the latest Rocket Richard Trophy odds. Be sure to place your bets with one of the top NHL betting sites, as well as take into consideration all of the helpful tips & tricks provided above.
Be sure to bet responsibly while playing at any online sportsbook, and see if you can predict the future with this year’s Rocket Richard Trophy odds.
Rocket Richard Odds FAQs
Only two players have formally won the Rocket Richard Trophy three times: Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews. Matthews claimed his third Rocket Richard victory in 2024, while Ovechkin is still the all-time king in NHL goal-scoring history, having claimed a whopping nine Rocket Richard Trophies.
The NHL’s goal-scoring leader award is called the Rocket Richard Trophy after Hall of Famer Maurice Richard. Nicknamed “the Rocket”, Richard was regarded as one of the greatest goal-scorers of his generation, and the award was named in his honour during the 1998-99 season, just before his passing in 2000.
Technically, Wayne Gretzky has never won the Rocket Richard Trophy. The Great One retired in 1999, the first season in which the award was formalized. However, Gretzky led the league in goals five times throughout his Hall of Fame career.
Connor McDavid has only won the Rocket Richard trophy once in his career so far. With his lone win coming in the 2022-23 season, McDavid is still an elite goal-scorer in the NHL, even without the hardware to back it up.