(Nashville) Connor McDavid is set to win a third Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player on Monday night when the league announces its winners for the final season.
The Edmonton Oilers captain could even be a unanimous pick after leading all players on the Bettman League with 64 goals, 89 assists and 153 points, the highest total since Mario Lemieux’s 161 points (69-92) in 1995 -96.
McDavid was a unanimous pick two years ago when he also won the Ted Lindsay Trophy, which is awarded by members of the Players Association. He is expected to win this trophy for the fourth time in eight seasons.
This year was rather remarkable: almost all the winners of the main individual trophies could easily be identified before the end of the season.
Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks is expected to bring home the Norris Trophy. The 32-year-old defenseman became the first since Brian Leetch in 1992 to score more than 100 points in a season.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Erik Karlsson
The Boston Bruins could have three winners after setting a mark for most wins and points: captain Patrice Bergeron, goaltender Linus Ullmark and head coach Jim Montgomery.
If Bergeron wins the Selke, awarded to the best defensive forward, this sixth harvest would improve the mark he himself established last year.
The Vézina, for the ultimate goaltender, and Jack-Adams, given to the coach of the year, would be a first for Ullmark and Montgomery. Ullmark led the NHL with a 1.89 goals-against average and .938 save percentage, and tied for the lead with 40 wins in just 48 starts.
Matty Beniers, of the Seattle Kraken, seems alone in the race for the Calder, given to the rookie par excellence. His 57 points allowed him to finish first among first-year players. He finished tied for the lead with 24 goals.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) vote for the Hart, Norris, Selke, Calder, Lady Bing (sportsmanship) and Bill-Masterton (perseverance and dedication) trophies. General managers determine the winners of the Vézina, while members of the NHL Descriptors Association award the Jack-Adams.