The official NHL website held a preliminary vote to determine the applicants for the Hart Trophy, the prize given to the season’s most valuable hockey player.
The vote was held by a panel of 18 sports writers, each of whom named 5 candidates for the award and ranked them. Based on these rankings, players were awarded points according to the following scheme: 5 pts (1st), 4 pts (2nd), 3 pts (3rd), 2 pts (4th), 1 pt (5th).
Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl won first place with 83 points (12 first places). Colorado forward Nathan McKinnon took second place (64 points, four first places). Boston forward David Pastrnak ranked third (45 points, one first place).
The list also included Connor McDavid from Edmonton (34 points, one first place), Artemy Panarin from the Rangers (30 points), Nashville defender Roman Josi (6 points), Tampa forward Nikita Kucherov (2 points), Winnipeg goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (2 points), Washington defender John Carlson (1 point), Buffalo forward Jack Eichel (1 point), and Boston forward Brad Marchand (1 point).
