Hart Trophy Finalists: Bobrovsky vs. Crosby vs. McDavid
Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers are your finalists for the 2017 Hart Trophy, which is given to the “player judged most valuable to his team” in the NHL.
The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association votes on this award at the conclusion of the regular season.
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What will be interesting to see when vote totals are released is how much late-season love Brad Marchand and Nikita Kucherov received for what they did in the second half.
So who will leave Vegas with the Hart Trophy?
Why Sergei Bobrovsky Deserves the Hart
From the NHL:
Bobrovsky led the NHL with a 2.06 goals-against average and .931 save percentage to guide the Blue Jackets (50-24-8) to their best season in club history. He also ranked in the top five in the League in wins (3rd; 41), shutouts (t-3rd; 7), saves (4th; 1,727) and starts (t-5th; 63). Bobrovsky established a career high and franchise record for victories in one season (41), shattering the mark set by Steve Mason in 2008-09 (33). He also posted career highs and franchise records with a 14-game win streak (Nov.29 – Jan. 3) and 16-game point streak (15-0-1; Nov. 25 – Jan. 3). Also named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the League’s top goaltender, Bobrovsky is a Hart Trophy finalist for the first time and the first MVP candidate in Blue Jackets history.
A healthy Bob showed just how much he means to the Blue Jackets, backstopping the franchise to their best season and another playoff berth. Along with those impressive numbers listed above, Bobrovsky also led all goaltenders with at least 45 starts in even-strength save percentage (.938). He’ll likely be leaving Vegas with the Vezina. Will he also need some room on the flight home for the Hart?
Why Sidney Crosby Deserves the Hart
From the NHL:
Crosby helped the Penguins (50-21-11) post their best regular-season record since 1992-93 by scoring 44 goals, capturing his second career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader. Crosby’s goal tally, which included eight multi-goal performances, was the second-highest of his NHL career. The Penguins captain ranked second in the League in scoring (44-45—89), topped all Penguins in power-play goals (14) and shots (255), and led all Pittsburgh forwards in average ice time per game (19:52). Crosby finished second to Chicago’s Patrick Kane in Hart Trophy voting last season and is a finalist for the sixth time; he won the award in 2006-07 and 2013-14.
Despite missing seven games, the Penguins captain was tied for second in points (89) and all alone after McDavid in points per game (1.19). It was another strong season for Sid the Kid, who may have overshadowed a great year for his teammate Evgeni Malkin. Will Crosby have enough support to beat McDavid?
Why Connor McDavid Deserves the Hart
From the NHL:
McDavid captured the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s scoring leader with 100 points (30 goals, 70 assists), sparking the Oilers (47-26-9) to a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2005-06. The team’s 103 standings points were the most in 30 years. McDavid registered at least one point in 59 of his 82 appearances (72.0%), highlighted by a career-high, 14-game point streak to close the season (7-18—25) – the longest by any NHL player in 2016-17. He also posted a League-best 30 multi-point performances. McDavid, who placed third in voting for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie last season, seeks to become the third player in NHL history to win MVP honors before his 21st birthday, joining Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky.
The NHL’s only 100-point scorer was a consistent producer while helping the Oilers get back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 11 years. His impact on the game when he was on the ice showed on a nightly basis, and it’s going to be tough to top him for this award.
Who Wins The Hart
McDavid. Leon Draisaitl was the only other Oilers player with more than 51 points and McDavid was 23 points better than him. In helping carry Edmonton to the playoffs, he’s going to join Crosby and Gretzky in hallowed territory.
Our Overall Ballot
1. Connor McDavid
2. Sidney Crosby
3. Brad Marchand
T-4. Sergei Bobrovsky, Nikita Kucherov
Who Should Win The Hart
McDavid. No debate here. Great seasons from Crosby and Bobrovsky, but Connor’s going to win pretty handily here.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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