The nominees for the 2025-26 Hart Memorial Trophy have been announced, as Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon and winger Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning all have a chance to win the NHL’s most valuable player award.
The Hart Memorial Trophy finalists have arrived! 🏆 #NHLAwards
— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2026
The trophy is awarded annually to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team. pic.twitter.com/PJzE4cL55G
The 29-year-old McDavid has the opportunity to win his fourth career Hart Trophy after leading the NHL with 138 points, including 48 goals and a league-high 90 assists across 82 games.
An 11-year veteran, McDavid also won the award in 2017, 2021 and 2023.
McDavid, who played with a foot fracture in the playoffs, had one goal and five assists in six games during Edmonton’s first-round exit against the Anaheim Ducks.
MacKinnon led the NHL with 53 goals in 80 games, two better than Habs star Cole Caufield. He added 53 assists for 127 points, the second-best total of his 13-year NHL career.
MacKinnon hasn’t slowed down this spring, netting seven goals and four assists over six games as the Avs are undefeated in the playoffs.
The 30-year-old won his first and only Hart Trophy in 2024.
Kucherov tallied 44 goals and 86 assists over 76 games in the regular season, leading the Lightning to their ninth straight postseason appearance.
The 32-year-old won his lone Hart Trophy in 2019. This marks the third straight year Kucherov has been nominated.
Kucherov tallied a goal and five assists in the playoffs as the Bolts were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in seven games.
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck beat out Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl and Kucherov for the Hart Trophy last year.
