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McDavid, MacKinnon, Kucherov finalists for MVP

ESPN · May 8, 2026, 5:36 PM

Key takeaways

  • Connor Mc David will seek his fourth NHL MVP award as he was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy on Friday.
  • The Edmonton Oilers star joins Colorado Avalanche center Nathan Mac Kinnon and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov as Hart Trophy finalists.
  • Notable in his absence as a finalist: San Jose Sharks phenom Macklin Celebrini, who had one of the greatest seasons in NHL history for a 19-year-old player.

Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.

Connor Mc David will seek his fourth NHL MVP award as he was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy on Friday.

The Edmonton Oilers star joins Colorado Avalanche center Nathan Mac Kinnon and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov as Hart Trophy finalists. They both also previously won the award, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Notable in his absence as a finalist: San Jose Sharks phenom Macklin Celebrini, who had one of the greatest seasons in NHL history for a 19-year-old player. Celebrini set a franchise record for points in a season (115, including 45 goals), scoring 56 more points and 21 more goals than any other Sharks player this season. But while MacKinnon, McDavid and Kucherov all made the playoffs, San Jose missed the cut by four points in the standings.

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