Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
In this edition of the hotstove we share our picks for the 2015-16 Hart Trophy winner.
Todd Cordell: Tyler Seguin
You could make a strong case for Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, among others, but I'm going to go with Tyler Seguin.
The 23-year-old has turned into an absolute star (no pun intended) in Dallas and has recorded 161 points in 151 regular season games over the last two years.
He continues to get better and with a healthy Valeri Nichuskin and the addition of Patrick Sharp he'll have no shortage of firepower to work with regardless of who is put on the right side of the top line.
If Seguin didn't suffer a knee injury - and kept scoring at the same pace - he'd have finished with a league-leading 89 points last season.
With a better supporting cast around him this year he could produce even more. If that's the case and the Stars get in the playoffs (which isn't a huge stretch) I like his chances for the Hart.
Ryan Wilson: Alex Ovechkin
Sidney Crosby has Phil Kessel and I still believe that he is the better overall player, but Hart Trophy voters love goal scoring and Ovechkin should be pouring in goals by the bucket load.
Alex Ovechkin hasn't had a quality right winger since Alex Semin was firing on all cylinders back in 2008-09. Other right wingers include Chris Clark, Mike Knuble, and Troy Brouwer. None of which are of the caliber of his two options this year
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Williams
Alex Ovechkin had 53 goals last year which was his most since 2008-09 (last time he had good RW).
I expect him to match his 53 goals from last year and perhaps eclipse that number as his even-strength numbers should be way better (2008-09 27G 50 points at 5v5).
All that said don't be shocked if Sid goes off next year for similar reasons that I laid out for Ovechkin.
John Jaeckel: Sidney Crosby
Maybe it can be argued that the ascendance of the Blackhawks to "First Cap Era Dynasty," and Jonathan Toews rise in profile along with it, has diverted some of the shine from Sid the Kid, but he's still great player, and still the best in the game in a lot of ways. So add a motivated, refreshed Phil Kessel in on his wing, and what do you get? An MVP season. At least on paper at this point.
Crosby should be able to put up huge numbers playing alongside a talent like Kessel. And on the basis of his talent alone, he has to be in this conversation regardless, year in and year out.
Recent posts:
Who will win the Vezina in 2015-16?
Who will win the Norris in 2015-16?
Is Mark Giordano worth the money?
Which team had a better off-season: Buffalo or Edmonton?
Do you have a problem with ads on jerseys?
Who was the best off-season acquisition?
Which team is most likely to return the Cup Final?
Which team will benefit most from 3-on-3 OT?
Join the Discussion:
»