NHL Hart Trophy: Top 5 MVP Candidates Of The Season

6 days ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors

The NHL’s individual award races are reaching their climax, and the competition for the Hart Memorial Trophy—given to the league’s most valuable player—has several standout candidates.Ranked in reverse order of their likelihood to win, here are this year’s Hart Trophy finalists:5. Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden KnightsEichel has played more than 70 games only three times in his 10-year NHL career, but the 28-year-old has delivered his best season yet, setting personal highs in assists (66) and points (93) through 76 games.As Vegas’ undisputed offensive leader—topping the next-highest scorer on the team by 26 points—Eichel has been instrumental in keeping the Golden Knights atop the Pacific Division. While he may not be the favorite for the Hart, his impact makes him a worthy contender.4. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay LightningKucherov, the 2018-19 Hart winner, has once again been Tampa Bay’s driving force this season. With 82 assists and 116 points, the 31-year-old Russian may not match his past career highs, but his elite play has kept the Lightning competitive in the Atlantic Division.Though he may fall just outside the top three in this year’s race, Kucherov remains one of hockey’s most electrifying players—and without him, Tampa Bay’s playoff position would be far less secure.3. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado AvalancheThe reigning Hart Trophy winner is having another sensational season, tallying 84 assists and 116 points—just shy of his career-best numbers from last year.MacKinnon’s relentless competitiveness and all-around excellence make him the heartbeat of the Avalanche. While teammate Cale Makar will also earn Hart consideration, MacKinnon remains Colorado’s true leader and a strong candidate to be a finalist once again.2. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg JetsNo goaltender has won the Hart since Carey Price in 2014-15, but Hellebuyck’s remarkable season—featuring a .925 save percentage, eight shutouts, a 1.99 GAA, and 45 wins—could change that.The 31-year-old is virtually guaranteed his third Vezina Trophy and second in a row, but his value to the Jets goes even further. As the backbone of the league’s best regular-season team, Hellebuyck has a legitimate shot at his first Hart.1. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton OilersDraisaitl, the 2019-20 Hart winner, is the current number one pick to claim the award again this season. Leading the NHL in goals (52), game-winning goals (11), power-play goals (16), and overtime tallies (6), the 29-year-old German has been nothing short of dominant.While his assist and point totals aren’t quite at his usual peak, that speaks more to Edmonton’s supporting cast than his own brilliance. With Connor McDavid not quite at his superhuman best this year, Draisaitl has stepped up as the Oilers’ MVP—and deserves his second Hart Trophy as a result.Image - Perry Nelson-Imagn...

Read Full Article.