Hart Memorial Trophy

Description: First awarded in 1923-24, the Hart Memorial Trophy is presented annually “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.”

Voting: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submit ballots for the Hart Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.

History: The Hart Memorial Trophy was presented by the NHL in 1960 after the original Hart Trophy was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The original Hart Trophy was donated to the League in 1924 by Dr. David A. Hart, father of Cecil Hart, former manager-coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

2025-26 Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov won the 2025‑26 Hart Memorial Trophy. Kucherov emerged as the victor of an epic three-way balloting race featuring a trio of former Hart Trophy winners: Kucherov, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon. For the first time since the current points allocation system was established in 1995‑96, all three finalists received at least 25 percent of all first-place votes. Kucherov was a top-five selection on 196 of 198 ballots and received 72 first-place votes in collecting 1,436 points to post a razon-thin margin of victory – 10 voting points – over McDavid, who appeared as a top-five pick on all 198 ballots, including 68 first-place votes, for 1,426 points. MacKinnon was listed on 195 ballots in collecting 52 first-place votes and 1,297 points for third place. Kucherov’s winning margin of 10 points was the third-fewest in the 30 years under the current points allocation: Jose Theodore edged Jarome Iginla in a tiebreak (434‑434, Theodore placed first with more first-place votes) in 2001‑02 and Chris Pronger eked past Jaromir Jagr, 396‑395, in 1999‑00. A Hart Trophy finalist for the third consecutive season, Kucherov claimed his second career win and first since 2018‑19. He became the third player to go seven-plus years between Hart Trophy wins, joining Jean Beliveau (8 years, 1955‑56 and 1963‑64) and Sidney Crosby (7 years, 2006‑07 and 2013‑14). Kucherov finished second in the NHL with 44-86—130 in 76 games – 42 points more than his closest teammate (Jake Guentzel: 38-50—88 in 81 GP) – to power the Lightning to their ninth straight playoff berth. Kucherov’s 42-point edge was the second-largest gap between a team’s top two scorers in 2025‑26, trailing just the 56-point difference between Macklin Celebrini (45-70—115 in 82 GP) and Will Smith (24-35—59 in 69 GP) of the San Jose Sharks. Kucherov, who found the scoresheet in 60 of his 76 appearances (78.9%), additionally ranked among the League leaders in points per game (1st; 1.71), even-strength assists (1st; 57), multi-assist performances (t‑1st; 25), assists (2nd; 86), even-strength points (2nd; 92), multi-point performances (2nd; 40), plus/minus (t‑3rd; +43), even-strength goals (4th; 35), power-play assists (4th; 29), multi-goal performances (t‑4th; 8), power-play points (6th; 37), game-winning goals (t‑7th; 8) and goals (8th; 44).