Skip to main content
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal as we take a look at the 2024-25 Rocket Richard odds favorites.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins. Photo by: Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports.

After winning last season's Rocket Richard with 69 goals, Auston Matthews is the minus-money favorite at three of our best sports betting sites to win it again, according to the NHL odds.

The 2024-25 Rocket Richard Trophy Odds have the deserved sniper atop the leadeboard with training camp on the horizon. 

Matthews finished last season with 69 goals, 12 more than second-place Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers, who scored a career-best 57. Zach Hyman enjoyed a career year with the Edmonton Oilers, scoring 54 goals to finish third among all skaters. 

Reinhart and Hyman aren't among the lead candidates to win this season's Rocket Richard, with David Pastrnak, Leon Draisaitl, Kirill Kaprizov, and Connor McDavid leading the way after Matthews.

Here's how the 2025 Rocket Richard Trophy odds look in advance of the 2024-25 campaign. (odds via our best NHL betting sites).  

Rocket Richard Trophy odds 2025

(Rocket Richard odds from our best sports betting sites and last updated July 30)🔥 = best odds | ❄️ = worst odds

PlayerDraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsbet365
Auston Matthews  +140 🔥-115 -115+125-110 
David Pastrnak+500+550+550+500+550
Leon Draisaitl +700 ❄️+750 +800+800+850 🔥
Kirill Kaprizov+1200+750+750+1500 🔥+800 
Connor McDavid+500 ❄️+1000 🔥+900 +800+800 
Filip Forsberg+4000+1200 ❄️+1300 +4000+1800
Nathan MacKinnon+1500+1500+1500+2000 🔥+1600 
Brayden Point+2000+2000+2000+2800 🔥+2000
Zach Hyman +2500 🔥+2000+2000+2200+2200 
Jack Hughes+2000 ❄️+3000+3000+3000+3000

Rocket Richard Trophy odds 2025 favorites

Auston Matthews (+140)

There's ample reason for Matthews' minus-money 2024-25 Rocket Richard odds at three of our best sports betting apps. The 26-year-old reached the 60-goal plateau in two of the last three seasons.

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

He won three of the last four Rocket Richard Trophies, with McDavid the only player interrupting his dominant run. 

You can see why Matthews is the off-season locomotive everyone else will attempt to catch. 

While there's always a chance somebody else steps up, this is Matthews' award to lose. Besides David Pastrnak and Leon Draisaitl, nobody has come close to Matthews' recent goal-scoring exploits.

Best odds: +140 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 41.67%

Bet $5, Get $250 & 1 Month of NFL+ Premium

Terms and conditions apply.

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

David Pastrnak (+550)

The 2020 Rocket Richard winner poses the most formidable threat to Matthews' recent dominance.

The Bruins' superstar scored 47 goals last season after netting 61 the previous year. Only McDavid, who scored 64, potted more in 2022-23. Pastrnak failed to score 40 goals in his first five seasons but has been prolific in the five since, scoring at least 40 in all but one. 

Best odds: +550 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 15.38%

Bet $5, Get $200 & 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket

New customers only. Deposit min. $10. Place first bet of $5+ and get $200 in Bonus Bets (within 72 hours).

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

Leon Draisaitl (+850)

Draisaitl has been almost as prolific as Pastrnak in recent years, netting at least 40 goals in five of the last six seasons. He busted through the 50-goal milestone in three seasons, scoring 50 in 2018-19, 55 in 2021-22, and 52 in 2022-23.

Draisaitl will consider last season's haul of 41 a down year.

While Draisaitl is guaranteed goals, it will be interesting to see how speculation about his future will impact his play. There is a chance he won't be in Edmonton for too much longer, but until that seismic change comes about, Draisaitl should be near the top of the league's goal scorers. 

Best odds: +850 via bet365 | Implied probability: 10.53%

Choose One: $200 or $1,000 in Bonuses

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

My 2025 Rocket Richard Trophy player to watch

Nathan MacKinnon (+2000)

The reigning Hart Trophy winner scored a career-high 51 goals last season. He also had the most shots, whipping 405 shots in 81 games. MacKinnon goes into most encounters with a shoot-first mentality, and he's one of the only players who can create enough time and space to open shooting lanes without much assistance from teammates. 

Matthews won last season's Rocket Richard Trophy with an 18.7 shooting percentage. MacKinnon scored 51 goals on a 12.6 shooting percentage. If he can increase his shooting percentage, MacKinnon could challenge Matthews and others for top goal-scoring honors.

MacKinnon, who had a career-best in goals and assists last season, is on an upward trajectory, so I expect him to eclipse 50 goals for a second year running. 

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

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Terms and conditions apply.

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

Rocket Richard Trophy odds over time

(Odds via FanDuel)

PlayerOpening odds (July 2)
Auston Matthews-115
David Pastrnak+550
Leon Draisaitl+750
Kirill Kaprizov+750
Connor McDavid +1000
Filip Forsberg+1200
Nathan MacKinnon +1500
Brayden Point+2000
Zach Hyman +2000
Jack Hughes +3000
Mikko Rantanen+3000
Nikita Kucherov+3000
Brady Tkachuk+3000

Recent Rocket Richard Trophy 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

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.

NHL betting odds pages

Rocket Richard Trophy FAQs

Who is the Rocket Richard Trophy favorite?

Auston Matthews is trading at minus-money at three of our best sports betting sites for the 2024-25 Rocket Richard Trophy. His shortest odds stand at -115, implying a 53.49% probability. 

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. 

Here are our best NHL betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Related pages