ST. LOUIS — Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon was runnerup to Tampa Bay winger Nikita Kucherov in a mid-season vote for Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. The poll was conducted by The Professional Hockey Writers Association, which officially votes on many of the awards at the end of each season.
MacKinnon received 49 first place votes out and appeared on 136 of 152 ballots. He was second by a wide margin over John Tavares, who finished third.
MacKinnon is second in NHL scoring with 60 points (24 goals) in 48 games. Kucherov has 63 points (27 goals) in 49 games. MacKinnon is in contention to become Colorado’s third Hart Trophy winner, joining Joe Sakic in 2001 and Peter Forsberg in 2003.
Here are the full results for the PHWA’s 2017-18 midseason NHL awards:
Hart Trophy – to the player adjudged to be most valuable to his team.
1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
3. John Tavares, New York Islanders
Norris Trophy – to the defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position.
1. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
3. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars
Selke Trophy – to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.
1. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
2. Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers
3. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
Calder Trophy – to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.
1. Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders
2. Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
3. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
Lady Byng Trophy – to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
1. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
2. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Ryan O’Reilly, Buffalo Sabres
Vezina Trophy – to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position.
1. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
3. Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Jack Adams Award – to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.
1. Gerard Gallant, Vegas Golden Knights
2. Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Paul Maurice, Winnipeg Jets
GM of the Year Award – to the General Manager adjusted to have contributed most to his team’s
success.
1. George McPhee, Vegas Golden Knights
2. Steve Yzerman, Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Ray Shero, New Jersey Devils
Rod Langway Award – to the defenseman who best excels in the defensive aspect of the game.
1. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
2. Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
3. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
