Nathan MacKinnon is blazing his way to the Hart Trophy with a career-best start this season for the Colorado Avalanche — but here's where it gets really interesting. Despite already winning the Hart in 2023-24, MacKinnon is pushing the limits of his own performance, making a strong case to add the NHL's top scorer title to his accolades. And this is the part most people miss: his dominance isn't just about offense; it's his defensive game that's also shining brighter than ever, reshaping how we view his value.
In his 13th season, the 30-year-old center has racked up an impressive 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in just 23 games—the best of his entire career for this early stretch. To put it in perspective, those 39 points surpass his previous personal best of 35 points during this phase of past seasons. MacKinnon currently leads the NHL in goals and total points and ranks second in assists, which has made him the favorite for the Hart Trophy among the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, earning 14 of 16 first-place votes and an outstanding 70 voting points—30 clear of his nearest competitors.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar emphasizes that MacKinnon's consistent professionalism and disciplined habits underpin his excellence. Bednar highlights that this season, MacKinnon's defensive play—his checking—is the most effective of his career. The coach believes that this defensive rigor translates to increased puck possession and offensive opportunities since a player who defends well naturally gets more chances to score. The Avalanche’s dominant team record of 17-1-5 and leading the league in points (39) supports this theory, making MacKinnon's contributions even more critical.
What’s also fascinating is how MacKinnon's enduring consistency over a decade serves as a blueprint for emerging talents like Chicago’s Connor Bedard, San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini, and New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer. All top draft picks from recent years, these young players mirror MacKinnon’s steady development. Notably, Schaefer is coached by Patrick Roy, the same coach who mentored MacKinnon when he first entered the NHL. Roy praises both players for their remarkable ability to elevate their game continuously, forcing coaches to lean on them more heavily.
The Hart voting reflects MacKinnon’s dominance clearly: he leads with 70 points, followed by Bedard at 40, Celebrini with 34, and Connor McDavid trailing at 28. Other noted players, including David Pastrnak, Leo Carlsson, and Mikko Rantanen, also received votes, but the gap at the top is significant. This voting reiterates a stirring question for hockey fans: Can MacKinnon not only sustain but surpass his peak this season? Will his intense two-way gameplay finally bring him both the Hart and Art Ross trophies, especially if the Avalanche maintain their dominant pace? Opinions might differ, but one thing is clear—MacKinnon is rewriting what it means to be an invaluable player, and his journey this season is a must-watch for any hockey enthusiast.
What do you think — is Nathan MacKinnon the undisputed MVP this year, or could a dark horse like Bedard or McDavid steal the spotlight? Share your thoughts and let's debate this thrilling NHL season!
Voting breakdown for the Hart Trophy (points based on 5-4-3-2-1 ranking system):
- Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche: 70 points (14 first-place votes)
- Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks: 40 points
- Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks: 34 points
- Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers: 28 points
- David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins: 26 points (2 first-place votes)
- Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks: 18 points
- Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars: 5 points
- Others including Cale Makar, Jack Eichel, Evgeni Malkin, and Sidney Crosby with fewer points
