{"id":549577,"date":"2026-04-10T13:48:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T13:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/549577\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T13:48:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T13:48:38","slug":"oilers-mcdavid-should-be-clear-cut-hart-trophy-favourite-the-hockey-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/549577\/","title":{"rendered":"Oilers’ McDavid Should Be Clear-Cut Hart Trophy Favourite – The Hockey Writers –"},"content":{"rendered":"

If Connor McDavid<\/a> were to retire today, he would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer<\/a>. Though the Edmonton Oilers <\/a>forward doesn\u2019t have a Stanley Cup, he does have 1,210 career points, 150 postseason points, five Art Ross Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards, three Hart Trophies, a Rocket Richard Trophy, and a Conn Smythe. It\u2019s quite easy to see from that list alone why he\u2019s regarded as the best player in the game today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related: Troubling Stat Shows How Disastrous Jarry Trade Has Been for the Oilers<\/a><\/p>\n

Perhaps the most exciting of all when it comes to McDavid\u2019s achievements is that he\u2019s showing no signs of slowing down. After a five-point night versus the San Jose Sharks<\/a> on Wednesday, he now has a six-point lead in league scoring with 133, suggesting he\u2019s in line for what would be his sixth Art Ross. His 133 points are the second-highest total in his career, with only the 153 he notched in 2022-23 continuing to lead the way.<\/p>\n

\"ConnorEdmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes (James Guillory-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

These types of numbers from McDavid are pretty well expected at this point, making it no surprise to see what he\u2019s been able to do as of late. That said, it\u2019s worth noting that up until just a few weeks ago, the Oilers were at serious risk of missing the playoffs<\/a>, proving just how much value McDavid is providing. If it weren\u2019t for his dominance, this team could be in a draft lottery position.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s also important to remember is that over the past few weeks, McDavid has been forced to be without his right-hand man<\/a> in Leon Draisaitl. In the 11 games Draisaitl has missed, the Oilers captain has put up 10 goals and 19 points. Put all of that together and you have what would seemingly be a lock to win the Hart Trophy. However, that doesn\u2019t appear to be the case.<\/p>\n

McDavid Being Overlooked Due to Consistent Dominance<\/p>\n

With McDavid, it seems we are beginning to run into what some call voter fatigue<\/a>. Though everybody recognizes how dominant McDavid is year in and year out, it can be fun to see different players get their share on these awards. That, of course, isn\u2019t how any awards, and particularly the Hart, are meant to be given out.<\/p>\n

The perfect example of this came less than a week ago, when the NHL tweeted out a poll<\/a> of the top three Hart candidates. The three listed were Macklin Celebrini, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov, all three of whom are having superb seasons. That said, McDavid being completely overlooked shows that there are some serious flaws in the system.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with Celebrini, who probably has the best argument to win the Hart of the three the NHL listed. The 19-year-old has been better than even his biggest supporters could have imagined with 42 goals and 108 points in 77 games. The next leading scorer on the San Jose Sharks is Will Smith with just 56 points.<\/p>\n

The issue when it comes to awarding Celebrini with the Hart is that the Sharks may not even make the playoffs<\/a>. That isn\u2019t meant to be a dig at Celebrini, as his point totals show just how much he is carrying his team. Unfortunately for him, the Hart is an almost impossible award to win without getting into the postseason. The last time it happened was in 1987-88, where Mario Lemieux won the award for the very first time in his illustrious career despite the Pittsburgh Penguins failing to make the playoffs.<\/p>\n

\"ConnorConnor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (Jess Starr<\/a>\/The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n

As for MacKinnon, he has once again dazzled for the Colorado Avalanche with 51 goals and 123 points. There is no denying the role he plays in the Avs success, but they are also the top team in league standings by a significant margin. While they\u2019d undoubtedly be a worse team without him in the lineup, most would agree the Avalanche would be a playoff team regardless. That certainly isn\u2019t the case for the Oilers.<\/p>\n

Related: Oilers Need to Bring Calvin Pickard up for the Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

Last but not least is Kucherov, who somehow continues to feel underrated<\/a> despite the ridiculous numbers he puts up each and every year. He\u2019s done the same again in 2025-26 with 127 points through 72 games. That said, he falls into a category similar to MacKinnon, as, once again, most would agree that the Lightning would still be a playoff team without him in the lineup. The Hart Trophy is given to the most valuable player to his team, and based on these write ups, that seems to clearly favour McDavid.<\/p>\n

Past Success Can\u2019t Be Used Against a Player<\/p>\n

The main point is this: those who vote on these awards can\u2019t simply look past McDavid simply due to his past success. If he\u2019s the most deserving, he\u2019s the most deserving: point blank. And, based on the facts provided above, it\u2019s rather obvious to see why he does deserve to win his sixth Hart Trophy for his effort this season. If it fails to go that way, there will be plenty of frustration from many hockey fans, and rightfully so.<\/p>\n

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