The NHL’s Hart Trophy race has remained one of the biggest storylines heading into the final day of the regular season, with three of the league’s biggest stars separated from the chasing pack.
Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov have each built strong cases, producing elite scoring totals while leading their respective teams into the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers center McDavid enters the regular-season finale with the most points (134) in the NHL. Colorado Avalanche forward McKinnon (127) leads the league in goals with 53. Tampa Bay Lightning winger Kucherov is tied for the most assists with 86 and only trails McDavid in total points (130).
As the debate will soon come to an end among voters, NHL legend Wayne Gretzky issued a decisive answer on who he personally believes deserves the award following the end of the 2026-26 NHL season.
NHL great Wayne Gretzky makes an appearance at a public event in Washington.Saul Loeb-Pool via Imagn Images
“The three guys are the three usual guys… Kucherov has been unbelievable in Tampa Bay. How can you not vote for MacKinnon? First place overall, another stellar year,” Gretzky said.
Gretzky, however, ultimately pointed to McDavid’s impact on the Oilers as the deciding factor in his choice for this season’s Hart Trophy award.
“But my vote would go to Connor McDavid on the basis of Edmonton has had kind of an up-and-down year all year,” Gretzky said. “They’ve made a lot of changes; he’s missed Hyman and Draisaitl for a great period of time, but he’s still putting up numbers, and he’s still the best player in the National Hockey League.
“So I would vote for Connor McDavid if I had a vote.”
McDavid’s late-season impact seems to be strengthening his MVP case, particularly after the Oilers have dealt with injuries and absences from key forwards Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman.
MacKinnon, meanwhile, has powered the Avalanche to the best record league-wide and the Presidents’ Trophy, while Kucherov has carried the Lightning offensively throughout the season, with no other Tampa Bay player having more than 88 points.
No date has been announced for the 2026 NHL Awards ceremony, although last year’s was held before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.