The 2025-26 NHL season is simply over a month outdated, which suggests we now have a big sufficient pattern dimension to start out making extra educated predictions on participant and workforce accolades.
Nearly everybody across the league is about one quarter of the way in which into the brand new marketing campaign. Whereas so much goes to alter over the three quarters to comply with, 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 the primary month of the season.
The Avalanche celebrity is the clear-cut chief within the clubhouse proper now. MacKinnon has been otherworldly by 19 video games, racking up a ridiculous 33 factors (14 targets, 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 so far, with only one regulation loss on the season. That is nothing new for a man who’s taken residence 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 capacity to dwell as much as his lofty draft standing, the 2023 No. 1 decide has exploded in 12 months three. Whereas some may need anticipated the Blackhawks to take a small step in 2025-26, no one predicted they might be a playoff workforce, however they at the moment sit tied for third within the Central Division with 22 factors.
Bedard’s 26 factors (10 targets, 16 assists) are spectacular sufficient, and whenever you consider his supporting solid you get an MVP candidate. Main the Hawks into the postseason whereas producing at an 118-point tempo might be powerful to keep up, however Bedard’s finished it to date, 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, 12 months three has been an explosion.
Carlsson is tied for fourth in league scoring with 26 factors (11 targets, 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 improvement that ought to shock no one, one of the best participant on the planet has quietly labored his manner into the MVP combine. McDavid is effectively previous his sluggish begin to the season, now as much as 30 factors (9 targets, 21 assists) in 20 video games, monitoring down MacKinnon for the league lead.
Edmonton’s struggles have been effectively documented, however the captain has put the Oilers on his again not too long ago once they’ve wanted it most. There could possibly be some voter fatigue on condition that he’s gained the award 3 times, 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 targets, 19 assists) in 19 video games, Makar is just not 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 ranking already.
