Photo credit: Brad Penner – Imagn Images
In a recent NHL.com poll, where pollers were asked who was the better player in the NHL as of November 29, 2025, the majority voted for Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.
McDavid in unfamiliar territory in Hart voting
Connor McDavid, the perennial Hart Trophy candidate, currently sits behind McKinnon, who’s having himself a career year, on a team that is itself dominating the NHL standings.
Nathan is in his 13th NHL season, and at 30-years old is only getting better. After 24 games, he has 41 points (19G, 22A), leading the NHL in goals and points and tied for second in assists.
At the quarter-mark of the 2025-26 season, Nathan is the favorite to win the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP, with 14 of a possible 16 first-place votes.
“He’s consistent with everything he does all the time, professionally at least,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “I think those habits and that discipline leads to consistency.”
To win the Hart, a player must be ‘adjudged to be the most valuable to his team, and is selected in a vote by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association’, as per NHL.com.
Nathan MacKinnon had a total of 70 points after the voting was completed, with Connor Bedard second with 40, and Macklin Celebrini third with 34.
Connor McDavid finished in fourth place with 28 points, ahead of David Pastrnak’s 26.
Overall, however, beyond the current quarter-year MVP parameters, Connor McDavid is ahead of MacKinnon, having won three Hart Trophies to the latter’s one.
With 56-games remaining to play, the race for the Hart will be one to closely watch.
Previously on Edmonton Hockey Daily