Hart Trophy

  The time has come to vote for this year’s best.  Tonight, we start from the heart.  The Hart Trophy is awarded to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team.  Here are the nominees:

1. Aaron Ekblad – Florida Panthers

Ekblad won this trophy last year and his game is still rock solid.  Finishing the year second in team scoring (83points) and 27 points ahead of third, Ekblad was pivotal in Florida’s President’s Trophy winning season.   He led his team in blocked shots (109), scored 20 goals including 4 game winners and led his team in possession (15.09%).  The Hart Trophy only applies to the regular season but it is worth noting that the Panthers lost both playoff games where Ekblad was injured and dominated the rest.

2.  Leon Draisaitl – Carolina Hurricanes

How do you stop this guy?  14 game winning goals this year.  That’s 28 points and what a coincidence, he finished a +28.  He led the league in scoring (99points) and goals scored (51).  He’s in your face and in your net but doing it clean.  Only 19 penalty minutes.  He had 162 more shots (383) than the next guy on the team.  Most guys don’t even take 162 shots in a season.  He led his team in possession (16.48%) and wreaked havoc on opposing teams all year.  Like Ekblad, Draisaitl is a repeat candidate for this trophy and nobody is surprised.

3.  Connor McDavid – Colorado Avalanche

McDavid had a solid season.  38 goals, 90 points and he averaged over 25 minutes of ice time per game.  Surrounded by a strong team, Connor didn’t have to go out there every night and deliver.  But he did.  Solid possession (16.49%) and a team leading 352 shots.  McDavid brought his game night after night and terrorized the West.  He only took 34 penalty minutes and finished the year a +26.  It may not have been the flashiest of seasons for McDavid but as usual, he was one of the best.

A poll will be posted giving every GM a chance to help decide this year's regular season MVP.  The Norris Trophy is next.