Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon named Hart Trophy finalist

The NHL has announced three finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy, and Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon is one of them. He is in the running with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov.

MacKinnon being a Hart Trophy finalist is not shocking at all. The Halifax native was one of the NHL's most dominant players this season. In 82 regular-season games for the Avalanche, he posted new career highs with 51 goals, 89 assists, and 140 points. His 140-point season is only the fifth that the NHL has seen over the last 30 years.

MacKinnon was also the NHL's most consistent player in 2023-24. The 2013 first-overall pick recorded at least one point in a league-leading 69 games this season. That is simply outstanding stuff. He also became the first player in NHL history to record two 19-game point streaks in a single season. That is simply outstanding stuff.

MacKinnon is no stranger to being a Hart Trophy finalist, as this is the fourth time he has been one in his career. He finished second twice (2017-18 & 2019-20) and third for the 2020-21 season. We will need to see if he secures his first-ever Hart Trophy this year.

There's no question that MacKinnon has a significant case to win the Hart. However, Kucherov and McDavid also had marvelous campaigns, so this has all the makings of being a very tight Hart Trophy race.

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