By: Justin Gincauskas
As the calendar flips to 2024, it is a great time to look at who the contenders for the Hart Trophy are in the NHL. The Hart Trophy is an annual award given to the league’s most valuable player. The winner is selected at the end of the regular season in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Wayne Gretzky holds the record for the most Hart’s with nine during his career.
There is no clear favorite to win the award at this point in the season, but there are a few names that have created some separation at the top of the list. Here are the three contenders for the Hart Trophy at this moment.
Nathan MacKinnon
Nathan MacKinnon has been one of the best players in the league for many years now. However, he has never won the Hart Trophy before.
In 37 games this season, MacKinnon has 39 assists, which is the most of any player in the NHL. He also sits second among players with 58 points.
MacKinnon is currently on pace for over 125 points, which would be the most in a season in his career. He is a big reason why the Colorado Avalanche are first in the Central Division with 49 points.
Nikita Kucherov
Nikita Kucherov is putting on a show with the Tampa Bay Lightning this season.
Kucherov leads the league with 61 points. Of his 26 goals, nine have come on the power play, and five have been game-winning goals. In 2018-19, Kucherov scored 41 goals, which is his career-high in a season. At his current pace this season, he will shatter that record.
If Kucherov can sustain this level throughout the year, he will win the Hart Trophy for a second time.
Connor McDavid
After a slow start to the season, Connor McDavid is back where he belongs. McDavid is the current favorite to win the Hart Trophy at +320, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
In 32 games this season, McDavid has collected 48 points. He is on pace for another 100-point season, which would be his fourth in a row and seventh overall.
Since Nov. 20, McDavid has been held off the scoresheet just once. If he continues to play the way he has the last month and a half, he will have a good chance of winning his fourth Hart Trophy.
***
Want to partner with us? Contact us now.
Read us on the Newsbreak App.
Follow Fantom Sports on Instagram!