The official definition of the Hart Trophy according to NHL.com is: The Hart Memorial Trophy is an annual award given “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team“. In the 2024-25 season, I can’t think of a player who fits this definition more than Edmonton Oilers’ forward Leon Draisaitl.
Related: 4 Takeaways From Oilers’ Dramatic 3-2 Overtime Victory Over Flames
Sure, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon has had an outstanding season. Same with his Avalanche teammate, defenceman Cale Makar, who will most likely win the Norris Trophy for best defenceman. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov has been great again this season and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been unbelievable in backstopping the Jets to the top of the NHL standings, but it was Draisaitl’s heroic performance on March 29 at home against the surging Calgary Flames that placed him in first place in the Hart Trophy race in my mind and many others including former Oilers defencemen Chris Pronger and Ryan Whitney.
Draisaitl Made All the Difference in the Oilers’ 3-2 Victory Over the Flames
The final instalment of the Battle of Alberta in the 2024-25 season was a statement game for both the Oilers and Flames. The Oilers had been without Draisaitl for the last four games after he was injured in the Oilers’ 7-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club back on March 18. And without him, and teammate Connor McDavid, who is still out with injury from the March 20 4-3 loss to the Jets, the Oilers were floundering a bit. Meanwhile, the Flames were riding the hot goaltending of Calder Trophy candidate Dustin Wolf and have been playing good hockey as of late in hopes of sneaking into a Western Conference wild card spot. The Flames held a 2-1 lead late into the third period until Draisaitl tied things up with 3:12 remaining, beating Wolf for his 50th of the season. In overtime, he scored his 51st at the 2:25 mark to seal the dramatic come-from-behind victory for the Oilers, keeping them tied with the Los Angeles Kings for second place in the Pacific Division.
These two goals are symbolic for key reasons: They made Draisaitl the first 50-goal scorer of the 2024-25 season, putting him nine goals ahead of Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander for the Rocket Richard Trophy, and they kept him within five points of leaders Kucherov and MacKinnon, who both have 109 points. More importantly, Draisaitl’s heroics after coming back from injury proved just how valuable he is to the Oilers. Without Draisaitl and McDavid in the lineup for over a week, the Oilers put up a valiant effort but were definitely missing the MVP magic, especially from Draisaitl, who has almost single-handedly been carrying the fortunes of the Oilers on his shoulders all season.
A Statement Season From a Statement Player
Draisaitl often takes a back seat to McDavid when it comes to accolades and praise, but just like another dynamic duo on the Oilers over 40 years ago, Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, he has carved out a Hockey Hall of Fame career. With his 50th goal on March 29, Draisaitl joined some elite company as this goal marked the fourth 50-goal season of his career. He is currently tied for 12th place in league history, joining former Oilers’ sniper Jari Kurri, and is one 50-goal season away from joining NHL legends such as Bobby Hull, Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Pavel Bure and Phil Esposito, who all finished their careers with five 50-goal seasons.
The way Draisaitl is playing, I wouldn’t bet against him joining this elite group and possibly catching the top three 50-goal scorers of all time: Gretzky, Mike Bossy and Alex Ovechkin, who each have nine 50-goal seasons to their credit.
Draisaitl’s Hart Trophy Aspirations Alive and Well Going Into April
The boost that Draisaitl gave his Oilers teammates in their 3-2 victory over the Flames can’t be emphasized enough. He showed just how valuable a leader he is and how important he is to the Oilers team. It felt like the team was sinking, especially after their lopsided 6-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken on March 27. To come off a four-game injury layoff and lead the team like he did just shows how great a player he is. It’ll be difficult for another player to catch him for goals in the Rocket Richard Trophy race. If he can somehow reel in Kucherov and MacKinnon for the Art Ross Trophy, he should be the unanimous choice for the Hart Trophy and Most Valuable Player in the 2024-25 season.
