2017 Hart Trophy Winner: Connor McDavid

Connor McDavid has won the 2017 Hart Memorial Trophy. Not only was McDavid the only player in the league to reach 90 points this past season, he took it a step further and reached the 100-point mark in 82 games, along with an impressive 30 goals. Coming off of an injury-shortened rookie season where he scored 16 goals and 48 points in 45 games, many were expecting big things from the 20-year-old phenom in his sophomore season. Delivering as promised, McDavid dominated the league from the beginning of the year until the very end.

This is McDavid’s first Hart Trophy win in his career, coming in just his second season in the league. With the potential that McDavid has, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him win a few more down the line. It was an impressive year for McDavid who showed the league exactly what he could do with a full season under his belt. No player impacted the Edmonton Oilers’ season more than McDavid, which makes it fitting that he’s their captain despite being so young. His maturity and skill levels for his age more than qualify him for the job. This Hart Trophy is just the tip of the iceberg for what could eventually be one of the best careers in the history of the NHL. McDavid also won the Ted Lindsay Trophy earlier in the night, awarded to the NHL’s Most Outstanding Player.

Looking at the Runner-Ups

While McDavid was the only player to record 100 points this past season, his prime competition for the Hart Trophy this year was Sidney Crosby. Playing in his 12th season in the NHL, Crosby scored an impressive 44 goals and 89 points in 75 games. Leading the league in goals and tied with Patrick Kane for second in the league in points, Crosby was once again a force to be reckoned with in 2016-17. Though he didn’t win the Hart Trophy for the third time in his career, he did come home with his third Stanley Cup Championship and second Conn Smythe trophy this season – not a bad “consolation prize” for the 29-year-old.

McDavid also beat out Sergei Bobrovsky who was monumental for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2016-17 season. Catapulting the team from 76 points and a 15th place finish in the Eastern Conference last season to 108 points and third place, Bobrovsky was a big part of turning the Blue Jackets around. Riding an impressive 41-17-5 record with a 2.08 goals against average and a .931 save percentage, Bobrovsky earned his nomination for the Hart Trophy this year. Though he didn’t win the league’s MVP award, he didn’t leave Vegas empty-handed, taking home the Vezina Trophy – awarded annually to the NHL’s best goaltender. A well-deserved award for Bobrovsky who also won the award in 2012-13.