With the first month of the NHL season in the books it seems like the perfect time to start discussing some of the incredible performances we have seen early on. While there is still a long way to go, it’s never too early to start talking about how impressive this year’s most productive stars have been out of the gate. Here is a look at the top early Hart trophy candidates in the NHL so far this season.
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
It only makes sense to start at the top of the NHL scoring leaders with Stamkos. After missing all but 17 games last season due to injury, Stamkos is off to an incredible start with seven goals and 28 points in his first 16 games of the season. Stamkos has always been known as an elite scorer but the addition of Nikita Kucherov on the top line and top powerplay has helped substantially elevate his assist totals early on this season. The favorite to win the NHL’s Comeback Player of the Year award could also end up taking home the Hart if he keeps this up.
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Quick is another Comeback Player of the Year candidate as well as an early season MVP candidate. The 31-year-old is 9-2-1 with a 2.06 goals against average and a .937 save percentage so far this season. Quick’s incredible play has helped elevate Los Angeles to the top of the Pacific division standings. As long as he continues to perform at an elite level he will remain in the Hart trophy discussion this season.
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
While he trails his linemate Stamkos by two points in the NHL scoring race, Kucherov has been brilliant early on this year with a league-leading 15 goals in 16 games. The 24-year-old has always had the talent but he has really turned it on in his fifth NHL season with 26 points in 16 games. Stamkos has received a lot of credit based on his comeback and NHL points lead but Kucherov might very well be the Lightning’s best player so far this season.
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
The reigning Calder trophy winner is off to an excellent start to his second NHL season with 10 goals and 19 points in 16 games. Matthews is an elite sniper that has also showcased his incredible playmaking ability early on this season. For the first time in his NHL career, Matthews is dealing with an upper body injury that kept him out of the lineup. It will be interesting to see whether he can bounce back from the injury and continue to play at a high level as the physical toll of the game continues to build.
John Tavares, New York Islanders
Tavares has made the most of his final season before unrestricted free agency so far. The veteran center has 12 goals and 18 points in 15 games this season. Tavares is capable of scoring goals in bunches and he has been at his best early on this year as the leader of the Islanders offensive attack. Tavares is due to cash in with a big payday regardless of whether he can maintain this level of production. However, if he continues to produce at this level he could end up winning a Hart trophy this season.
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference but it’s a scary thought to think of where they’d be without goaltender Pekka Rinne. He is 7-2-2 on the season with a 2.08 GAA and a .934 save percentage. That goals-against average and save percentage rank him second in the league in each category. Rinne has had two bad games this season, one which he gave up four goals and one where he gave up five. He’s allowed three goals or less in his other nine games and two or less in seven of those games.
While some people thought Rinne might be fading at the age of 35, the reality is that he’s still one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. The Preds will be a quality Western Conference team as long as he is.
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