The 2025-26 NHL season is simply over a month outdated, which suggests we now have a big sufficient pattern dimension to begin making extra educated predictions on participant and staff accolades.
Nearly everybody across the league is about one quarter of the best way into the brand new marketing campaign. Whereas rather a lot goes to alter over the three quarters to observe, a number of gamers have come out of the gates firing, and that’s worthy of some recognition.
So, let’s have some enjoyable and dive into the top-five Hart Trophy candidates by means of the primary month of the season.
The Avalanche famous person is the clear-cut chief within the clubhouse proper now. MacKinnon has been otherworldly by means of 19 video games, racking up a ridiculous 33 factors (14 objectives, 19 assists), which incorporates 13 factors in his final 5 video games alone.
His dominance has resulted within the Avalanche bullying the remainder of the NHL up to now, with only one regulation loss on the season. That is nothing new for a man who’s taken house loads of {hardware} in his profession, however that doesn’t make what he’s doing any much less spectacular.
After two years of being scrutiny revolving round Bedard’s skill to stay as much as his lofty draft standing, the 2023 No. 1 decide has exploded in yr three. Whereas some might need anticipated the Blackhawks to take a small step in 2025-26, no person predicted they might be a playoff staff, however they at present sit tied for third within the Central Division with 22 factors.
Bedard’s 26 factors (10 objectives, 16 assists) are spectacular sufficient, and once you think about his supporting solid you get an MVP candidate. Main the Hawks into the postseason whereas producing at an 118-point tempo shall be powerful to keep up, however Bedard’s achieved it to this point, and he deserves his flowers for it.
The Geese have been one of many extra enjoyable tales in hockey this season as they sit in a tie for second place within the Pacific Division, and Carlsson has been the catalyst in that. He confirmed glimpses of his elite expertise the final two years, however like Bedard, yr three has been an explosion.
Carlsson is tied for fourth in league scoring with 26 factors (11 objectives, 15 assists) in 18 video games. His two-way play attracts comparability to Aleksander Barkov, and with the Geese close to the highest of the Pacific Division, everyone seems to be beginning to take discover of Carlsson.
In a growth that ought to shock no person, the most effective participant on the earth has quietly labored his means into the MVP combine. McDavid is nicely previous his gradual begin to the season, now as much as 30 factors (9 objectives, 21 assists) in 20 video games, monitoring down MacKinnon for the league lead.
Edmonton’s struggles have been nicely documented, however the captain has put the Oilers on his again just lately once they’ve wanted it most. There may very well be some voter fatigue provided that he’s received the award thrice, however on the identical time, you simply have to acknowledge his brilliance.
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
This man can be a lot larger on the checklist if the Hart Trophy favourite wasn’t his teammate. Makar is doing issues we’ve by no means seen from a defenseman, and the truth that he and MacKinnon each reside in Colorado is nearly unfair for the remainder of the league.
With 25 factors (six objectives, 19 assists) in 19 video games, Makar will not be solely top-10 in league scoring, however he’s far forward of another blue-liners in level manufacturing. To not point out he’s glorious defensively, which exhibits in his whopping +17 score already.
