Hart Trophy: The NHL’s yearly salute to the league’s most impactful player
The Hart Trophy honors the player who stands as the most valuable force for his team during the regular season. Voting is conducted by correspondents from the league’s official site, a process designed to capture a broad view of impact across positions, moments, and teams that defined the year. In this cycle, a number of standout performers from Canada and the United States showcased unique contributions, changing the course of key games with decisive plays and steady excellence.
Among the frontrunners, a Tampa Bay Lightning forward delivered a campaign filled with consistency and clutch moments, finishing in fifth place in the final tally. His output was marked by reliable production and big-game impact, helping steer the Lightning through a demanding schedule. In a season loaded with expectations, his ten-point showing in the voting underscores a player whose influence repeatedly shaped the outcomes of the team’s most important matches.
The top honor went to Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, a player whose season stood out for both volume and precision. McDavid posted seventy-three points and received thirteen first-place votes, reflecting broad recognition for his leadership, playmaking, and ability to tilt games in Edmonton’s favor night after night. His sustained excellence pushed the Oilers into the league’s elite and highlighted the ongoing dominance at the center of the team’s attack.
Here is a look at the leading nominees for the Hart Trophy and the points that defined their campaigns. The list features a mix of scorers, setup players, and high-tempo two-way forwards who each left a meaningful mark on their teams’ success across the year.
1. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) – 73 points with thirteen first-place votes. His season blended elite skating, vision, and the knack for turning pressure into scoring chances repeatedly.
2. David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins) – 39 points. Pastrnak supplied steady offense, lifting the Bruins with timely goals and relentless pressure that kept opponents off balance.
3-4. Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) – 33 points. Hughes combined explosive speed with growing playoff poise, driving the Devils forward with big plays and smart choices. Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres) – 33 points and a first-place vote, showing power and precision that kept him a constant threat in the opponent’s zone.
5. Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) – ten points. His leadership and offensive instincts provided a steady pulse for a team leaning on depth scoring and big moments in tight games.
6. Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars) – eight points. Robertson’s finishing ability and playmaking from the blue line gave Dallas a reliable scoring punch and steady offense throughout the season.
7. Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) – seven points. Kaprizov remained a dynamic force, using creativity and pace to drive the Wild’s attack and create chances in crucial moments.
8. Erik Karlsson (San Jose Sharks) – six points with one first-place vote, illustrating the value of a veteran defenseman who can lift a team with smart puck control and timely offense from the back end.
9. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) – five points. MacKinnon’s blend of speed, power, and skill kept the Avs competitive in a demanding schedule, tipping momentum in pivotal stretches.
10-11. Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers) – three points; Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) – three points with one shared first-place vote. Both players demonstrated leadership and two-way impact, contributing heavily to their teams’ presence in high-stakes games.
12-13. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) – two points; Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche) – two points. Crosby’s experience and Rantanen’s versatility underscored the influence of veteran leadership combined with top-tier skill across the league’s toughest contests.
14. Linus Ullmark (Boston Bruins) – a points tally that reflects the goalie’s ability to steer a strong team defense and deliver consistent performances across the season, often turning in decisive saves in tight encounters.
In a season filled with dramatic moments and tight races, the Hart Trophy discussion also reflected broader themes, including team depth, coaching influence, and the ability to endure a demanding schedule. The results highlighted players who not only posted numbers but also raised the play of teammates and the league’s overall competitiveness. Observers across Canada and the United States watched closely, noting how top performers shaped team fortunes while shaping the broader conversation around value, impact, and leadership in professional hockey.