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McDavid up for fourth Hart Trophy, MacKinnon and Kucherov also named finalists

McDavid up for fourth Hart Trophy, MacKinnon and Kucherov also named finalists | iNFOnews.ca
Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid, centre, is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the third period of Game 3 in the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Anaheim Ducks, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

NEW YORK — Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon and Tampa Bay winger Nikita Kucherov are the finalists for this season’s Hart Memorial Trophy, the NHL announced Friday.

The award is given out annually to the player deemed most valuable to his team.

McDavid led the NHL with 90 assists and 138 points in 82 games, capturing his sixth Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer.

MacKinnon topped the league with 53 goals and added 74 assists in 80 games, leading the Avalanche to a franchise-record 121-point season and the Presidents’ Trophy as the best regular-season team.

Kucherov led the Lightning with 130 points (44 goals and 86 assists) in 76 games.

McDavid is looking to become the fourth player in NHL history with at least four Hart Trophies, after Wayne Gretzky (nine), Gordie Howe (six) and Eddie Shore (four). Kucherov and MacKinnon have each won the award once.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck won the award in the 2024-25 season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

McDavid up for fourth Hart Trophy, MacKinnon and Kucherov also named finalists | iNFOnews.ca
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) in the second period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
McDavid up for fourth Hart Trophy, MacKinnon and Kucherov also named finalists | iNFOnews.ca
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov (86) moves in on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) during second period NHL playoff hockey action in Montreal, Friday, April 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

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The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

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