Who is Connor McDavid’s greatest Hart Trophy competition?

Credit: Tage Thompson

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We’ve just about reached the halfway point of the NHL season. That means it’s fair game to think about mid-season award picks.

It’s almost a given that Connor McDavid is the runaway Hart Trophy winner right now, whether the Oilers make the playoffs or not. He’s just too far ahead of anyone else. But the Roundtable question this week is…Who is the closest challenger to McDavid in the MVP race? If you couldn’t vote for McDavid, who are you picking so far this season?

MATT LARKIN: I’m a Tage Thompson convert. It’s been a while since I remember one player putting a team on his back like this. The Sabres, who appeared to be heading for their usual mid-season swoon, have won 10 of their past 14 games. During that span, he has 16 goals. Yes, 16 goals in 14 games. And 27 points. His blend of size, hands, speed and shooting ability make him one of the most unique players to exist in this league in ages. Whether it’s Lemieux or Lindros, no comparison quite fits, so maybe we should stop trying to find one. There has never been a player exactly like Thompson. And that’s why he’s so valuable to me, maybe the second-most valuable player this season next to McJesus.

NICK ALBERGA: I’ll go with Kirill Kaprizov. Seriously, where would the Wild be without him? Personally, I think it’s an important angle to consider when handicapping league MVP candidates. In 37 outings, the 25-year-old has tallied 22 goals and 47 points. Prorated over 82 games, that’s a 49-goal, 104-point pace. Furthermore, compared to last season, Minnesota’s supporting cast hasn’t been as much of a factor. It’s been Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, and then everyone else. Of course, the Wild traded Kevin Fiala to Los Angeles in the offseason. Additionally, Ryan Hartman, among others, have struggled to replicate what they did in 2021-22. Despite all that, Kaprizov continues to motor right along. Imagine if this guy had a legitimate No. 1 center to play with? It’s scary to think about. Simply put, Kirill Kaprizov means everything (and then some) to the Minnesota Wild.

MIKE MCKENNA: I had Kaprizov as my pre-season favorite, and he’s definitely trending towards being in consideration. Thompson is out of consideration unless Buffalo pulls off a miracle and makes the Stanley Cup playoffs. Yeah, I think that’s a stupid litmus test. But it’s real. I said earlier this year that Nikita Kucherov deserves consideration and I stand by it. People forget how ridiculous this guy is with the puck. But really guys…the answer is Leon Draisaitl. Every year we try to find reasons why it’s not McDavid. Or why Leon doesn’t deserve the same type of recognition. I’m guilty of it as much as anyone. But I’m running out of excuses. Leon all the way.

STEVEN ELLIS: Where would the Dallas Stars be without Jason Robertson? He’s been top three in scoring for most of the season and was McDavid’s closest goal-scoring challenger over the first three months. The Stars look like a true Cup threat, and Robertson’s play is a huge reason why. We expected big things from him, but he’s on pace to break his previous best by 33 points. Analytically, there’s a lot to love there. Robertson gets some significant hype, but imagine if he was on a Canadian team.

FRANK SERAVALLI: I’d agree that right now, Jason Robertson is McDavid’s top threat among skaters. I’ve never been a big proponent in voting goalies for Hart but Connor Hellebuyck has a pretty strong case. But in the spirit of adding something a little different to the conversation, I’d say Sidney Crosby‘s season is being overlooked in terms of consideration, if that’s even possible. If he remains healthy, he’s on track for one of his best point-per-game seasons in the last decade. Plus, the Penguins quite clearly go as Crosby goes. Their current six-game losing streak (0-4-2) is the most recent example: Crosby has two goals and one assist for three points and went four games without a point. Earlier this year when they went 0-6-1, he was held off the scoresheet in four out of seven games. He has carried the Pens to 19 wins with 34 points in those games. The playoffs would be a pipe dream in Pittsburgh without him.

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Who is Connor McDavid’s greatest Hart Trophy competition?

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