The Hart Trophy is the most prestigious regular season award in the NHL, given to the “player judged most valuable to his team.” While there are always debates over what exactly most valuable means, the award is often given to one of the league’s top scorers who also contributed greatly to team success.
Last year saw the trophy go to Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, whose 128 points led the league. Kucherov was part of a powerhouse club in Tampa Bay that won the Presidents’ Trophy easily, finishing the season 21 points ahead of the next team in the standings. The then 25-year old forward was a dynamic force on the powerplay, but also posted 80 points at even-strength.
Kucherov was a relatively easy choice as the winner—he earned 164 first-place votes, 161 more than second place Sidney Crosby—but it’s not that way every year. This season for instance has several players who could be considered the favorite at this point.
Through the first quarter of the season Leon Draisaitl is the top scorer, with 48 points on the year, one ahead of linemate Connor McDavid. Both Edmonton Oilers forwards could make a claim as the best player in the league this season, something McDavid is used to at this point after taking home his own Hart Trophy in 2017. The Oilers as a team are experiencing success for the first time in a while, giving even more credence to the idea that one of their superstars could be considered for the award.
There is also a pair of Boston Bruins in the running, with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak taking up residence just below McDavid on the scoring charts. Two parts of the “Perfection Line” in Boston, Marchand and Pastrnak have not only found incredible chemistry but are now two of the best bargains in the entire league. The Bruins are arguably the league’s best team at this point, with just three regulation losses through 26 games.
Perhaps though the linemates in Edmonton and Boston will split their respective votes and drop down the list. There are other players like Nathan MacKinnon who have had to carry their team in relative solidarity this season and are still finding great success. Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog, MacKinnon’s usual linemates, have both been injured for a good chunk of the start of the year, yet the speedy Avalanche center still has 39 points in 25 games.
Maybe even a defenseman could win the award for the first time since Chris Pronger in 2000. John Carlson has an incredible 36 points in 26 games so far for the Washington Capitals, a pace that would give him the best offensive season from a defenseman in 30 years. Only Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey have ever scored more than 103 points while playing defense, a group that Carlson will try to join this season.
There are countless others who could contend for the award by the end of the year, but cast your vote for the one who you think is the early favorite. We’ve listed some of the most likely candidates, but be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
McDavid, McDavid and McDavid
Connor McDavid is the most overrated player by far in the NHL. Not a two way player, and most likely will never win a Stanley Cup in his career.
How in the world is Auston Matthews not even listed here? LOL he is by far much better in every facet of the game when compared to McDavid, even when he or his team is struggling, he is a high impact player.
Guys like Pasternak and Marchand are perhaps the two best players in the game as of right now. I am never shocked at how good Boston usually is, but I was expecting a bit of a slower start after last seasons deep run and disappointing end. Instead they come back in vengeance! I only wished the Leafs played like the Bruins as much as I hate them.
Are you kidding me? Matthews over Mcdavid? Matthews? Holy hell man.
Like he’s better at everything than Mcdavid? How can you even write that without your keyboard exploding?
JD,
You”lol have to forgive Brad he’s a “writer” and his grand-papa was an nhl historian apparentl. I’ll agree with you Matthews over McDavid lol no way in heck . That Colorado air is too thin for ya Bradley
Brad,
You might wanna call the Dr you’ve hit your head. Matthews can do nothing then scores and gets one of the three stars it’s a joke. He’s horribly defencesively . He lacks leadership prime example of pulling his pants down. That’s a classless act.
Best two players are Crosby and McDavid bud and I’m not a fan of either. At least come at this with some smarts. Without the Leafs having Marner they are in trouble he’s a magician. Giving the Leafs two solid scoring lines now maybe 1.
Bruins have two solid goalies and guys that can come up from the a and slot in where needed. You gotta give credit where credit is due. Will the Leafs get over the Boston playoff hump. Yet to see it. I love my Leafs but I’m realistic!
JD,
Me thinks Brad has gotten into the Christmas cheer too early wth some rum and egg nog!
Calling McDavid overrated but fawning over Matthews is comedy gold.
Matt Barzal – NY Islanders deserves it!
MacKinnon has lost his linemates, which happen to be the next best players on the team. The only real standout other than himself has been a sensational rookie dman. Yet the avalanche continue to win games.
Hell they had to go with the number three and four goalies for a little stretch there!
Lots of hockey to be played yet, but in the early going, how can MacKinnon not be the favorite?
Yep. MacKinnon doesn’t get the hype that McD or Matthews do because he plays in a small American market.
It should go to Bostons top line because with out them they would be a bottom 6 team
But sense it’s a single player award its McDavid
No matter how muck off a b’s fan I am I still see just how good he is
The most underrated player in the NHL today is still Sidney Crosby.
Last year was by far his best in the NHL, far better than his previous Hart years, and he should have won for his 200 foot brilliance.
The only individual award I’m interested in is the Conn Smythe Trophy. That means your team likely won the Cup.