Kucherov of Lightning Leads Tight Race for NHL MVP

McDavid, MacKinnon also top contenders for Hart Trophy with just a quarter of season remaining

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:00am

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The race for the NHL's Hart Trophy, awarded to the league's most valuable player, is shaping up to be one of the closest in decades. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon are all leading contenders, with just a few voting points separating them according to a panel of NHL.com experts. San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini has also emerged as a surprise MVP candidate.

Why it matters

The Hart Trophy is the NHL's most prestigious individual award, and this year's tight race highlights the incredible talent and impact of some of the league's top stars. The outcome could come down to the final games of the season and may be decided by just a handful of first-place votes, making it one of the most dramatic MVP races in recent memory.

The details

Kucherov, McDavid, and MacKinnon are all having dominant seasons, with each player tallying over 100 points so far. Kucherov leads the league with 104 points, while McDavid has a league-high 110 points and MacKinnon is tied with Kucherov at 104 points. Celebrini has also been a revelation for the surprising Sharks, racking up 90 points - 45 more than his next closest teammate. The panel of NHL.com experts is split on who should win, with some favoring Kucherov's all-around game, others preferring McDavid's scoring prowess, and a few arguing Celebrini's impact on a lesser team should be rewarded.

  • The NHL.com panel conducted its fourth installment of the Trophy Tracker series to assess the Hart Trophy race at the three-quarter mark of the 2025-26 regular season.

The players

Nikita Kucherov

A forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning who is tied for second in the league with 104 points (34 goals, 70 assists) in 59 games.

Connor McDavid

A center for the Edmonton Oilers who leads the league with 110 points (36 goals, 74 assists) in 65 games.

Nathan MacKinnon

A center for the Colorado Avalanche who is tied with Kucherov with 104 points (43 goals, 61 assists) in 62 games.

Macklin Celebrini

A center for the San Jose Sharks who has 90 points (33 goals, 57 assists) in 62 games, 45 more than the next highest scorer on his team.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This year's Hart Trophy race is shaping up to be one of the closest in decades, with several elite players making strong cases to be named the NHL's most valuable. The outcome could come down to just a handful of first-place votes, making the final stretch of the season must-watch hockey as fans and experts alike debate who is most deserving of the league's top individual honor.