3 past MVP’s named Hart Trophy finalists, including Connor McDavid

History has repeated itself for the National Hockey League concerning the nominees this season for the Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team”.

Just as they were in the 2023-24 NHL season, Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov are the nominees for the 2025-26 campaign.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Hart Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters officially named the finalists. Among the notable names not listed as finalists are San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini and Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson.

It’s not a surprise to see McDavid listed as a nominee, considering that he’s already taken home the award three times so far in his Hall of Fame NHL career. Additionally, should MacKinnon win for this season, it would be the second time in his career that he’s done so.

Additionally, it wouldn’t be Kucherov’s first time winning the award, as he did so in 2019.

The biggest difference between MacKinnon and Kucherov is that they’ve combined for three Stanley Cup wins, while McDavid still has yet to win one. Kucherov and the Lightning won in 2020 and 2021, but their bid for a three-peat was halted by MacKinnon and the Avalanche in 2022.

Meanwhile, McDavid and the Oilers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the previous two seasons, only to be defeated on both occasions by the Florida Panthers. They were ousted in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks in six games in 2026.

The 2026 NHL Awards will take place on June 25 in Las Vegas.

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