Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy, one of the most illustrious awards to win in the NHL, awarded to the most valuable player in the league. Hockey writers from the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association voted on this award. As for the result, Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart Memorial Trophy for the second time since 2019, when he won the Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award as well.
Credit Image: © Federico Manoni/ZUMA Press Wire
CONGRATS KUCH! 🏆 #NHLAwards
Nikita Kucherov is the Hart Memorial Trophy winner as League MVP for the second time in his career. pic.twitter.com/msI6zcvcF2
— NHL (@NHL) June 11, 2026
Kucherov Wins Hart Trophy Against Tough Competition
Kucherov had the highest points per game this season at 1.71 and was second in the NHL in total points behind Connor McDavid. According to NHL.com’s trophy tracker series, the latest polling revealed that Kucherov was the favourite to win the trophy, receiving 62.5% of the first-place votes. The most compelling argument for Kucherov to win the Hart may be that he stepped up when the Lightning were decimated with injuries. In 14 games where Brayden Point and Victor Hedman were both out of the lineup, Kucherov scored six goals and 21 assists for 27 points. For the Lightning to still finish with 106 points this season is truly impressive.
Kucherov’s Hart win is impressive, in terms of competition and direct comparables for the Hart Trophy to Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, and one thing that is for sure is that they were both instrumental in their teams’ securing their respective Stanley Cup Playoff berths as well as their Presidents’ Trophy. MacKinnon led the league in goals, as well as being an elite playmaker, leading his linemate Martin Necas to his first 100-point season, while McDavid was able to drive his team to the playoffs even with Leon Draisaitl injured in the final stretch of the season. Below is the full voting breakdown for the Hart Trophy. A strong year for all three finalists indeed.
BREAKING: Nikita Kucherov has won the Hart Trophy, as the most valuable player to his team. Full voting table as selected by the PHWA. #GoBolts #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/0Tfdz6UxTD
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 11, 2026
Main Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
