That's why I said "typical winger." This isn't an outlier like Lehtinen or Hossa, Kucherov is below average defensively.
He is the best offensive winger in the league, the best playoff performing winger of the lockout era onwards and and trending to be top 25 player all time if he can get 1 more ross+hart/lindsay.
Last year he wasnt on the ice for as many goals as stamkos and point, despite constant similar usage/play.
Hossa at his best wasnt close to Kucherov, with kucherov being far greater player all time than any elite defensive winger in NHL history already
Kucherov deserved the hart just as much as Mackinnon last year
Super close race and they went with the guy who didnt have one. No issues there but both were the best players in the league last year along with 97
If Mcdavid was anyone but Connor Mcdavid he would win the hart most likely as well with 132 in 76, good for 2nd in ppg and getting the oilers to the playoff narrative after a tragic start.
last year had 3 guys who were "best player in the league" level and then panarin, pasta, matthews who could have been best player in the league level in a normalish season too