Connor McDavid, Nathan McKinnon, Nikita Kucherov are MVP finalists

Connor McDavid He will seek his fourth NHL MVP award after being named a finalist for the Hart Trophy on Friday.

D Edmonton Oilers Star joins Colorado snow the center Nathan McKinnon And Tampa Bay Lightning Winger Nikita Kucherov As a Hart Trophy finalist. They both previously won the award, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Notable in his absence as a finalist: San Jose Sharks event McLean CelebriniWho had one of the greatest seasons in NHL history for a 19-year-old player. Celebrini set a franchise record for points in a season (115, including 45 goals), 56 more points and 21 more goals than any other Sharks player this season. But while McKinnon, McDavid and Kucherov all made the playoffs, San Jose dropped four points in the standings.

Celebrini was recently named a finalist for the Ted Lindsey Award for Most Outstanding Player, as voted by the NHLPA. McDavid and Kucherov were the other finalists.

McDavid, 29, led the NHL in points (138 in 82 games) in winning his sixth scoring title. He also led the league in assists (90) for the fifth time. The Oilers star was third behind McKinnon in goals this season (48). Cole Caufield. McDavid was at his best in a crucial moment for the Oilers when the star center Leon Drysaitl Was out with an injury late in the season. McDavid had 24 points in 14 games in his absence, solidifying Edmonton’s spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

McDavid won the Hart Trophy three times (2023, 2021, 2017) and was a finalist seven times during his 11-year NHL career. He also won the Conn Smith Trophy in 2024, becoming the second skater in NHL history to win playoff MVP while his team lost in the Stanley Cup Finals.

If McDavid wins the Hart Trophy, he will tie Eddie Shore for the third most MVP wins in NHL history. Wayne Gretzky (9 wins) and Gordie Howe (6).

Kucherov, 32, was second behind McDavid with 130 points, the second-highest total of his career. He scored a career best of 44 goals in 76 matches. Kucherov averaged the highest points per game in the NHL this season at 1.71, skating plus-43.

The Lightning have been hit hard this season by injuries and lineup absences, but Kucherov has been a consistent driver of the game. He finished with 42 more points than anyone else in Tampa Bay, including 36 more even-strength points than any other Lightning player. Tampa Bay finished second in the Atlantic Division with a .646 points percentage, their best regular-season effort since 2020-21 when they ultimately lost in the Stanley Cup Final.

Kucherov won the Hart Trophy in 2019. This is his fourth time as a finalist.

McKinnon, 30, has been the best player on the NHL’s best team this season. He won his first Rocket Richard Trophy and led the NHL with 53 goals in 80 games. He also leads the NHL in plus/minus (plus-57), even power goals (42) and shots on goal (350). McKinnon was third in the NHL in points (127) behind McDavid and Kucherov.

The Avalanche won the President’s Trophy with the NHL’s best regular-season record (.738 points percentage). McKinnon had 27 more points and 15 more goals than anyone else in Colorado.

McKinnon won the Hart Trophy in 2024. This is his fifth time as a finalist for MVP.

Winnipeg Jets aim Connor Hellebuyck Won NHL MVP honors last season.