NHL.com Trophy Tracker - Hart Trophy

[Llamamoto]

No, just pointing out that it's not like McDavid has had no help at 5v5. Tkachuk and Lindholm are great, but, like literally everyone who has ever played with Gaudreau, their point totals are significantly inflated.

I don't think the difference in linemate quality is overstated because of the impact Gaudreau has on his linemates production.

The exact same thing applies to McDavid. Kane is playing at 40+ goal pace, Hyman set career highs in goals, etc.

McDavid is first in the league in points, has a higher % of point share compared to any other player in Hart contention, and just led the Oilers to the playoffs, playing the best defensive hockey of his career. (And like you said with worse linemates than Gaudreau, however overstated that argument might be).

That's the definition of a Hart winner. Gaudreau's 5v5 pts and Matthews' goal scoring might be novelties, but McDavid has been the most valuable player this year.

 

[KCC]

How is the heck is Matthews the favorite for the Hart when he's not even the most valuable player on his own team? Marner is.

 

[duul]

How is the heck is Matthews the favorite for the Hart when he's not even the most valuable player on his own team? Marner is.

He's not the favourite.

 

[Walkingthroughforest]

How is the heck is Matthews the favorite for the Hart when he's not even the most valuable player on his own team? Marner is.

I think the amount of games he’s missed will likely take him out of the race anyway. The most amount he can play is 74 and that seems like too little to win the Hart. He may even be rested before the PO’s unless he really wants to get 60.


At this point it’s a 3 way race between McDavid, Huberdeau, and Gaudeau.

I think there’s going to be serious voter fatigue with McDavid, as well (as of now) he doesn’t have much separation of points from the other two. But he does have the late season team push going for him.

Huberdeau is going to be impacted by the Barkov effect and I think that’s going to really affect the amount of 1st place votes he receives.

Gaudeau may just sneak in and win this award right from under them if he keeps pace with his points. The story is too good. 104th overall pick, leading scorer of a division winner, most EV points in the league and highest +/- in decades.

 

[HitterD]

I think the amount of games he’s missed will likely take him out of the race anyway. The most amount he can play is 74 and that seems like too little to win the Hart. He may even be rested before the PO’s unless he really wants to get 60.


At this point it’s a 3 way race between McDavid, Huberdeau, and Gaudeau.

I think there’s going to be serious voter fatigue with McDavid, as well (as of now) he doesn’t have much separation of points from the other two. But he does have the late season team push going for him.

Huberdeau is going to be impacted by the Barkov effect and I think that’s going to really affect the amount of 1st place votes he receives.

Gaudeau may just sneak in and win this award right from under them if he keeps pace with his points. The story is too good. 104th overall pick, leading scorer of a division winner, most EV points in the league and highest +/- in decades.

Tough to say with Gaudreau. i doubt enough eastern voters have seen enough of him to put him in their top three, as McDavid is the easy vote for the ones who go to bed early…lol. The western voters likely split between McDavid and Gaudreau IMO. Johnny my have an edge with American votes who follow him though.
honestly I can see Huberdeau as the one who sneaks out the win if that west vote splits between Connor and Johnny (and possibly Josi in there too), While the east get consensus due to matthews’ injury and missed time

 

[Canada first]

There have been lots of players playing at truly exceptional levels this year. But one player is there ever year and just had his best season yet. McDavid is the best and deserves the Hart. Congrats to all the rest.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I definitely agree Matthews has lost his edge due to games missed. My next question is when is the voting period?

Pretty sure the writers have to get their votes in prior to the start of the playoffs. So theoretically it's after game 82, but chances are some already sent in their ballots prior to that.

 

[HitterD]

There have been lots of players playing at truly exceptional levels this year. But one player is there ever year and just had his best season yet. McDavid is the best and deserves the Hart. Congrats to all the rest.

He may win it, but it’s super close. Honestly though i feel he had a way better season last season than this one, he was purely dominant last year and had an insane 1.88 points per game last year vs 1.51 this season. If he was having a full season at his pace last year he would be a runaway favourite. This season he’s not far ahead of the pack and may not win the art Ross. I don’t think he wins it this year, but if he does he will still deserve it. It’s just that there’s about 6-7 other players that also deserve it this year

 

[wetcoast]

I love this whole narrative that McDavid is having a down year though. It's adorable.

This article helps the McDavid narrative IMO.

If Oilers' McDavid isn't on Hart Trophy ballot, it's a bad miscalculation

Just because Connor McDavid has had seasons like this before does not mean the Edmonton Oilers star should not be considered one of the top contenders for the Hart Trophy.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[wetcoast]

Josi & Kaprizov don't have teammates even close to Draisaitl's level.

Funny that's only 2 of the 6 guys you mentioned though.

 

[Mez]

I love this whole narrative that McDavid is having a down year though. It's adorable.

He is though, he has had some concerning stretches this year. Easily the worst slump of his career before Tipp got fired. Shooting % down 2-3% from the last 3 seasons. He also has had very few 3-5+ point nights compared to normal. Outside of his slumps he has had some very consistent stretches though.

 

[NigerianNightmare]

Give the Hart to Huberdeau. He's the most valuable player on the best team and an overachiever

 

[wetcoast]

Evander Kane had more points than either of Gaudreau's linemates last year...

Ya and ironically the same as Johnny but Kane had way more ESP.

Just saying.

But perhaps we can get back to this season as you aren't going to convince anyone that Kane is a better player than either of Johnny's line mates, never mind the puck moving Dmen he plays with....

I have Johnny as a finalist BTW but you seem obsessed with him for some reason, there are alot of other guys with finalist arguments out there.

 

[slapKing]

Give the Hart to Huberdeau. He's the most valuable player on the best team and an overachiever

You have so many unusual takes, to say the least.

 

[authentic]

He sets a career high in points but "it's a down year!!!"

The best year of Matthews doesn’t even compare to the worst year of McDavid!

 

[authentic]

He is though, he has had some concerning stretches this year. Easily the worst slump of his career before Tipp got fired. Shooting % down 2-3% from the last 3 seasons. He also has had very few 3-5+ point nights compared to normal. Outside of his slumps he has had some very consistent stretches though.

With his improved defensive play this is the best full season of his career even if it could’ve been better

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Ya and ironically the same as Johnny but Kane had way more ESP.

Just saying.

But perhaps we can get back to this season as you aren't going to convince anyone that Kane is a better player than either of Johnny's line mates, never mind the puck moving Dmen he plays with....

I have Johnny as a finalist BTW but you seem obsessed with him for some reason, there are alot of other guys with finalist arguments out there.

McDavid would be a deserving winner.

But maybe ask yourself why Gaudreau's numbers were lower last year. I think you know the answer.

 

[snipes]

With his improved defensive play this is the best full season of his career even if it could’ve been better

Agreed. Especially under Woodcroft, he’s been noticeably excellent defensively.

He’s playing the most well rounded and best 200 foot game of his career which is conducive to team success.

There‘s a bit of fiestiness and nastiness to his game these last couple months as well.

 

[NigerianNightmare]

You have so many unusual takes, to say the least.

Thanks for paying attention to my posts.

I strongly believe that following the mainstream opinions makes one predictable and boring.
Its always fun to try and look from a different angle.

That's why:
Huberdeau over McDavid (NB: for the Hart this season only)
Orr over Gretzky
Fedorov over Yzerman
Islanders over Oilers (the 80s dynasties) etc.

PS. I happened to meet many professional athletes and coaches from different sports and I noticed that usually their views on games and performances are different from fans' opinions. And it's always good to learn something from the pros who's been there and done it

 

[BurnabyJoe7]

Unless Matthews pots 60 goals, it's gotta be between Johnny hockey and McDavid now. Solid arguments for both guys.

 

[Walkingthroughforest]

Unless Matthews pots 60 goals, it's gotta be between Johnny hockey and McDavid now. Solid arguments for both guys.

I don’t think anyone has played fewer games than Matthews will this year and won the Hart without leading the league in scoring.

Unfortunately I think his injuries/suspensions have take him out of the running.

 

[TheNumber4]

Matthews has the worst argument out of all the contenders for the Hart. But still, I say he gets it cause the League and Toronto based voters are trying to make him into a legitimate Superstar instead of just a Superstar in theory.

 

[HitterD]

Matthews has the worst argument out of all the contenders for the Hart. But still, I say he gets it cause the League and Toronto based voters are trying to make him into a legitimate Superstar instead of just a Superstar in theory.

Well, make no mistake, Matthews is without a doubt already a legitimate superstar, and a 60 goal season will solidify that on its own as well (I hope he gets it)

i think you are right about the Toronto based voters though, but I think they will vote for him not to legitimize his superstardom, but rather because they themselves are starved of Leafs success stories, and this will give them all something to hang their hats on, and well, write about. Matthews is breaking leafs records, and original 6 team.

 

[Alexanderthe89]

Where can theoretical superstars apply for legitimate superstardom?

 

[FinProspects]

Its a down year for Connor considering his linear progress every single season. But it happens, and it is still 120pish season so its all good.

I think he has that 140-150 season in him, but it just didnt happen this year.

Nevertheless, if he takes home Art, then he should win Hart as well. Lindsay could be Auston's but who knows, it might end up in Connor's hands.