The NHL has announced that Nathan MacKinnon has been named a finalist for the 2025-26 Hart Memorial Trophy
The NHL has announced the finalists for the 2025-26 Hart Memorial Trophy, and Nathan MacKinnon has been named one of the three finalists for the MVP trophy. The other two are Nikita Kucherov (Lightning) and Connor McDavid (Oilers).
The trophy is awarded annually "to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team", as voted on by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Nathan MacKinnon finished the season with 53 goals (career-high) and 74 assists for 127 points. With those stats, he finished first in goals (Rocket Richard winner), tied for third in assists, and third in points.
The Colorado Avalanche's power play struggles throughout the season left him with only 30 power-play points, the lowest total since the 2021-22 season. Despite the points left on the table, he still finished the season leading the league with 97 even-strength points, 42 of them goals. That's the most even-strength points in a single season since Jaromir Jagr in 1995-96, where he finished with 95 even-strength points.
MacKinnon helped the Colorado Avalanche to a historic season, finishing the season with a record of 55-16-11 for 121, which helped them secure the Presidents Trophy and setting a franchise record for most points in a single season, beating out their 119 total during the 2021-22 season.
This is MacKinnon's fifth time being a finalist for the Hart Trophy and looks to secure his second one since winning his first during the 2024-24 season.
