Welcome back to Last Word On Hockey’s mid-season awards. In previous editions of this series we looked at our finalists for the Norris and the Vezina Trophies, today our focus is on one of the most prestigious awards in hockey. It’s of course the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. Unlike our other awards where we named our finalists and an honourable mention, we turned to our esteemed team of writers and have voted for a winner at the mid-season mark.
Hart Memorial Trophy Mid-Season Finalists
Last season in a rare occasion, a goaltender won the award in Connor Hellebuyck. This season it’s unlikely that a goaltender will win the Hart, that’s not for a lack of talent in the NHL this season.
Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers (10%)
At the midway point of the season, our writers decide to put Connor McDavid at third in the Hart Trophy vote. The Oilers slow start to the season is a key contributor to this opinion. However, don’t be surprised if the Oilers captain ends up winning in the end. Over the course of the season so far, he’s put up 80 points in 46 games, just behind the league leader with Nathan MacKinnon sitting at 81. 44 of his 80 points this season have come on a 19-game point streak that began December 4th against the Seattle Kraken. It’s a fair question to ask, where would the Oilers be without him?
Macklin Celebrini – San Jose Sharks (30%)
The definition of the award, what would the Sharks be without the outstanding play of Celebrini this season. Almost certainly outside the playoff picture. What the second year forward has been able to do is generational, including forcing his way on to the Canadian Olympic roster. He is third in the league in points with 70. Not to mention that he is on pace for 44 goals this season. The 2024 first-overall pick is living up to the expectation, and could be in the Hart conversation for a very long time.
Hart Trophy Midseason Winner
Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado Avalanche (60%)
Our writers here at Last Word on Hockey have decided. At the midway point of the season, Nathan MacKinnon is your Hart winner. He’s in a race for the Art Ross Trophy as he battles with the aforementioned McDavid. But the offense isn’t the only thing he does. He’s also worked on his faceoff percentage as well. He’s winning just over half of the draws he takes, while his career average is closer to 45%. It may not seem like much, but the difference between starting with the puck and without is vast. It also helps being the best player on the best team in the league.
Honourable Mention – Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins
If you were expecting a decline from one of the greatest hockey players of all time, you’ve been mistaken. The Penguins go the way Crosby goes, his work ethic and competitive drive have kept him at the top of his game. Before the season began the Pens were the only team in the NHL actively saying the word rebuild. Fast forward to today and they’re the middle of a playoff race. It all starts and ends with Crosby, this season he leads the team in both points (49) and goals (24). While the stats don’t fly off the page compared to those above, he fits into the definition of the Hart Trophy.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images