Every year, when the NHL announces its Hart Trophy finalists, there are bound to be a few surprises. But this year, one big surprise has fans and experts talking—Nathan MacKinnon is not among the final three. And honestly, it’s hard to believe.
The Colorado Avalanche star, who won the Hart Trophy just last year, had another fantastic season. But this time, the finalists are Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, and Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl.
Let’s take a closer look at why many feel MacKinnon should’ve made the cut.
MacKinnon’s Impressive Numbers in 2025
At 29 years old, MacKinnon is already one of the NHL’s most decorated players. He’s a Stanley Cup champion, a Calder Trophy winner, and last year’s Hart Trophy winner. This season, he racked up 84 assists and 116 points—just 10 short of his career-best total.
Those 116 points are 10 more than Draisaitl managed and nearly the same as Kucherov, who had five more goals but the same number of assists. Stat-wise, MacKinnon clearly belongs in the conversation.
More Than Just Points: It’s About Value
The Hart Trophy isn’t just about scoring; it’s about value to your team. And here’s where the real argument for MacKinnon lies.
Kucherov plays on a deep Lightning team with stars like Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, and Victor Hedman. Even without Kucherov, Tampa Bay would still be a strong playoff team.
But take MacKinnon off the Avalanche, and things look different. After Mikko Rantanen was traded, MacKinnon became even more central to the team’s offense. The next highest-scoring forward, Artturi Lehkonen, had only 45 points. While Martin Necas added some firepower after the trade, MacKinnon’s all-around game—from scoring to leadership to defensive hustle—set the tone for the Avalanche.
Without him, Colorado likely wouldn’t have finished third in the Central Division. They might have barely made the playoffs.
Did Vote-Splitting Hurt MacKinnon?
Another possible reason for MacKinnon’s snub could be teammate Cale Makar. The Avalanche defenseman had an excellent season, and some voters may have placed him in their top five for the Hart. While Makar is undoubtedly talented, if he took even a few votes away from MacKinnon, it might have cost him a finalist spot.
Kucherov is Great, But is He More Valuable?
To be clear, no one’s saying Nikita Kucherov isn’t a top-tier player. He’s brilliant and could very well win the Ted Lindsay Award, which goes to the most outstanding player as voted by fellow players. But the Hart is about value, not just flash and goals.
And in terms of carrying his team, MacKinnon had to do more with less. That’s what makes his exclusion from the top three a surprising and, frankly, disappointing decision.
Nathan MacKinnon had one of the best all-around seasons in the NHL, yet won’t be up for the Hart Trophy. While Hellebuyck, Draisaitl, and Kucherov all had great years, it feels like MacKinnon did more for his team than most. Whether it was because of vote-splitting or other factors, this is one of those rare times where the reigning MVP played at a top level—but still didn’t make the final list.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the final voting breakdown looks. But one thing is clear: Nathan MacKinnon deserved to be a finalist.
