The NHL Has An MVP Problem 

Hopefully Kucherov, he really deserves it. Kucherov has been carrying the Lightning

The breadman himself

I think the true mvp is buddy johnson

Panarin. He had a great year, and stepped up his defensive play. He was also a huge part in the rangers success.

people saying panarin must have lost their minds. he’s a fantastic player and a huge part of NYR’s success but there is no universe where he beats out this year’s big 3 AND matthews AND crosby lol.

Put that in when they add an actual defenseman award, instead of the best winger on the blueline.

@@larrywilliams8063 they should just separate the norris into best offensive and defensive defenceman...

@@larrywilliams8063sooooo true!!! It’s so damn stupid, too. Idk how the hell it hasn’t been a constant discussion for decades now

That's actually true!

@@larrywilliams8063 100% There should definitely be a best defender award. Best defender ≠ most points as a defender. That award is kinda a joke.

i can confidently say it will not be matthews. the other three have way more of an impact on their team edit: i believe it will be kucherov because of his impact on the team this is coming from an oilers fan

they reallyyy should just give it those 3 guys, just once for this year

McDavid is NOT at his peak this year. Multiple injuries have held him back

Matthews should not be in the conversation. If Mcdavid had Matthews stat line this year people would be asking how he fell off so hard

@@chasepierson Matthews’ defensive play more than makes up for the gap in points.

what if you turned out to be true and he was hacking somehow lol

@@abrahammartin4750 It's gotta be old undiscovered soviet technology

@@kaield4763 if that were the case, itd be 30 years behind what North America has.

@@user-vg8gf6pb7t it's not that deep

He just has excellent peripheral vision, no need to turn your head 180 degrees to see others. I know because I also have it, just don't have any other qualities needed in pro sports.

Meanwhile Kuch also has a 3 pt night

thats an art ross race

if they did it 5 years ago they probably win

Feel the same way about Pastrnak… dude has single handedly carried the bruins this season after losing so many key players

Laf playing with confidence

honestly, Panarin is not a cup player. Unfortunately. And this comes from a fellow russian.

imagine scoring 120 points and not even being a contender for MVP. crazy how far the league has come

I'm an Oilers fan but seeing as this is the MVP award not the "who's the best player" (Ted Lindsay) award, I really think it should go to Crosby if they make the playoffs.

@@BezJones I'm shocked at how amazing he's been. They traded Guentzel away and he had his down moment and then he just turned on the jets to show why he's one of the GOATs.

much better than 70 goals? there is no secondary goal points in the nhl.

100%. Matthews is a pure goal scorer, not a playmaker, like the other 3. They all have double + the assists Matthews has. Hes not even at 40yet. And the other 3 are gonna finish close to 30+ points ahead of him. He can have the rocket and possibly the selke.

​@@Subaruuu12He'll get some Selke votes but won't win. Rocket Richard and the cap era single season goal record will be quite an achievement though.

@@keithck3720 The Toronto media keep forcing Matthews into conversations he doesn't belong in. Not only does he not belong in the Hart conversation, but there's nothing to indicate he is even remotely in the Selke conversation. All the tough defensive matchups for his team are taken by either Tavares or Kampf. People keep pointing to his blocked shots, but considering how rarely he starts in the defensive zone, he should not be in position to block shots if he was strong defensively.

Selke? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@@Marixa1979 I don't think you're watching him play but that's fine if you think that he's only good at scoring goals. Opposing players and coaches know how skilled and dangerous he is

100% agree with all of what you are saying, other than the last sentence😅

Kucherov is a total dick though. Dirty, has no respect for the game, the very antithesis of someone like Crosby. He's more like a Marchand.

Kucherov. Literally.

What a question eh? Nice response.. short and simple 👌🏼

Kucherov and mcdavid… hell if the east playoff race wasn’t the worst it’s ever been crosby would have the penguins nowhere near the playoffs

Huh? Did you just watch the video?

@@wdstrut 🤣😂

Why MacKinnon over the other guys?

People keep saying TB would miss playoffs with Kuch but I highly doubt it after seeing the 6 dogshit teams fighting for the last spot

Just a dumb take kucherov doesn’t even have either of the conn smyrhes

@@ilysmeeshy5266 lol why do seasons 2-3 years ago matter? the roster turnover has been crazy

@@ilysmeeshy5266 this Tampa Bay team is nothing like that one. They've been basically a wildcard team all season

He won't win because he is Russian.

It should be Kuch but McKinnon is much more popular. He will win it. Number 1 BS. Ha!

Putting Matthews in your top 3 this year is wild

I really don’t think 70 goals will outshine 100 assists only 3 players in history have ever gotten 100 assists even if Mcdavid and Kucherov get it that’s still only 5 there have been 8 separate 70 goal scorers in the NHL

​@@JSnipes-nb7uyMatthews might hit 70 has over 100 points and is in selke talks (not saying he will win but he is in the conversation) so if it would be crazy if he isn't even in top 3 for hart

I think the all-star weekend might have ruined it for him aswell.

@@JSnipes-nb7uy reading a problem for you? I said he only gets into the top 3 if he hits 70. If you think 70 doesn't put him there, you're insane.

I honestly believe that's what's gonna happen. The voters have long decided that its Mack's year for the Hart. He's winning it even though personally I think it should go to Kuch. McDavid is obviously the best player in the league so he should get the Lindsay, unless players get voter fatigue when it comes to McDavid. And they already voted for Kuch. They might decide its Mack's year for that too. Art Ross will be either Kuch or Mack. Rocket is obviously Matthew's. All I know is its gonna be wild if Kuch ends up with none of the awards after the year he's had.

Let’s be real, nothing will match how butthurt Avs fans will be if MacKinnon doesn’t win the Hart this season

​@@jeremyrobak6750I'm sure the Leafs fans whining when Matthews doesn't win would top that tbh

Some nights he is still the best player in the world. Top 5 all time and he isn’t even done playing.

As a Pens fan... no. Sid has actually been pretty lackluster defensively at times this season. He's playing great for his age, but he's over 50 points behind the leaders.

@@michaelshields6326bro absolutely does not watch hockey. Sid is the reason why the pens arent in the dirt right now.

Sid has been phenomenal, but he's #5 at best this year.

@@janzkee Lol ok. Tell me where I'm wrong? Sid has been lackadaisical at times defensively this year, he loses track of guys around the net a lot. There's no justification for him to win it over someone like Kucherov, who is 50 points ahead and has carried his team hard this season, especially during the first half of the year when Vasilevskiy, Hedman and Stamkos were playing poorly. Or McDavid, who after struggling with an injury to start the season has played at an absolutely ridiculous pace, he's actually been scoring at a higher pace than last season for most of the season. If he didn't get injured there's a very real chance he would be scoring 160+ points this year. Even peak Bergeron level defense would not come close to closing that kind of offensive gap. The whole "complete player" hype for Crosby has gotten to absolutely absurd levels at this point. He does a lot of the little things well, but he isn't prime Bergeron out there like some fans like to claim, nor is he near the game breaking player offensively that he was in his 20's.

No man is an island or whatever

Difference is Mcdavid plays mostly with Hyman who's not on the level of anyone else you named. The rest play almost every shift with atleast one elite player.

​@@CC-of5xlI mean, Hyman has over 50 goals.

@@tntrocketeer3478 he had 21 max before playing with Mcdavid lol

@@CC-of5xl Matthews plays on a line with Domi and Bertuzzi. I wouldn't say those are elite players

Also 2:51 😂😂

What you just made 0 sense... lil bro

the 2022 finals has nothing to do with MVP of this season. To make an actual legitimate call, you cant be subjective and look to the past.

@@user-vg8gf6pb7the’s talking about who he would/wouldn’t mind winning it, not who he thinks should/will lmao. from that perspective you absolutely can be subjective about it

Anyone whose name begins with an 'M' should win it (unless you think Crosby has been truly heroic resurrecting an utterly moribund team). But, I would lean to Mackinnon who is so exciting to watch.

I bet if Nikita Kucherovs name was Nick Keller instead, you would want him to win

Pasta did it in a big way last season, but he was hardly considered because McDavid's season was so light's out. It's interesting using his performance as a comparison to Kucherov's current performance though. Pasta had a 15% Shooting Percentage on 407 shots in 22/23, and scored almost as many goals (61) as the next best producer had points (Marchand with 67). But in terms of team success, the goaltending and defence was so excellent that a lot of the overall credit went to that system. 8 players had 50+ point seasons, and 12 had a +20 rating. Bruins outscored their opponents 301-174, so it was hard to identify Pastrnak's stats as the cause of the team's success. This year, the situation is essentailly the same, but with worse numbers for the team, while Pasta'a numbers are about the same. He should be in consideration, but it's not an obvious argument when it comes to his impact to team success. Kucherov's situation is a little different this year. Kuch also has a near 15% shooting percentage, and currently has 56 more points than the next-best producer (Point, with 88). That's already 11 points better than Pastrnak's 45 point differential (112-67), and the fall off in points produced is much steeper on Tampa. After Point, the only players who have 50+ points on the season are Stamkos, Hagel and Hedman. That's basically the people who are on the powerplay with Kuch or on his line. For team defensive play, Hedman is the only player with a +20 or more rating. Kucherov has +11, then there are 11 players with single digit plus rating. 15 players are in the minus, and 6 of them in double digits. Tampa Bay has outscored opponents only 278-255. Full stop, if Tampa doesn't have Kucherov this season but still has the injuries to Sergachev and Cernak, then the team is not only missing the playoffs, they would probably be in the basement. I guess that's kind of the curse of being the best player on a good team. I think that the Bruins whole system and roster structure depends on Pastrnak producing 50 goals and 100+ points every season. He doesn't really have an elite playmaker with him, but he gets it done anyways. However, because the team defense and depth scoring is so good, it kind of dims Pastrnak's achievements. The situation in Tampa highlights Kucherov because it's obvious that they wouldn't be competitive at all without him. It's really hard to argue that he's not the guy this year because the team situation enhances his value to the team.

Tampa is doing much better in terms of goal distribution compared to the Oilers and Avs. And if you remove Draisatl and Rantanen, the gap between 1st and 2nd on all 3 teams is about the same.

​@@robrick9361preach!!

if kuch wins it you'll know its just a points thing.

Jesus christ, brother…. Quinn Hughes is a great player having a great season. But he isn’t even remotely in the stratosphere required for the conversation this year.

If you want to go by what player is the most VALUABLE Sid at the moment if the Pens make the playoffs it literally is because Sid willed them to a spot.

I feel like the Avs make the playoffs without Mak and the Oilers likely don’t without McDavid

lightning are not a playoff team without kucherov.

@@yankeesbeballinYou’re right, MacKinnon is my #3 I think

@@willroberts6429 Mack averaged 1.5 minutes of ice time more than either Kuch or McDavid because they needed him so much every night. Beyond the first line of the Avs, there's just nothing there, it's all on Mack's shoulders to pull them into the playoffs.

This is just my opinion, you all have valid cases.

As a leafs fan I still have Matty at 4. It's not as far as alot of people make it out to be, but the other 3 have been monsters offensively. But I agree kuch is the most deserving. He's dragged that Tampa team into the playoffs.

If you disregard empty net points (which aren't much of an achievement), MacKinnon is already in the lead.

@@st0rmchild ah yes closing a game to secure a point isnt an achievment. Then why ur baby hasnt more empty nets :'(

I think that McDavid is going to end up missing a few too many games to end up with the Hart Trophy. As an Oilers fan, I think that McDavid and Kucherov are the most valuable to their team, but MacKinnon has been the best player.

@@AmosDohms dude you see the current game against the wild. Holy shmokes Nate haha. But thanks for you oppinion, seems to be on track with the info in this video.

@@ofsavagemindas a bolts fan who’s seen every game this season, I’m the same way with Kuch. Given his score differential between him and Point, if he wins the Art Ross I think he should win the Hart as well, he’s just simply carried

@@trevorconnatser6161 That point differential is wild. If the criteria is most valuable to their team that is hard to argue. Pretty new to hockey so honestly i did think it was mvp of the league. I have been enlightened lol. Be nice to see Nate get something for his play, dudes out of his mind. Maybe a stanley cup will do lol. but you definitely have a good point

@@trevorconnatser6161 To make an argument for Mac though, you could say the guys around him are so good because of him. Not just on the ice, but look at lehkonen, Druin, Nachuskin and who they were before playing in CO. His leadership has helped turn them into the players they are. Kuch is carrying his team, but Nate uplifts his by leading through example on and off ice.

Crosby playing at this level at his age is insane

He should have a poll

at 36 years old…

That may be true, but in that exact same line of thinking he is outclassed by Kucherov who dragged his team to a comfortable playoff race. Each of these 4 brings something unique to offensive domination. MacKinnon is physically unstoppable and can individually overwhelm defense, Kucherov is the most dangerous player leading in points, McDavid is the best at creating offense leading in zone possession and assists, and Matthews is by far the best triggerman in the league leading in goals. Hard to argue Crosby is best at anything this season. He may get a few nods at number 5 from voters who forget Pastrnak and Q. Hughes exist. Stellar, notable season from a player who has had many, but not in the Hart conversation.

​@@sparrowcdwell then if anything Sid should at least get seriously consideration from the NHLPA for another Ted Lindsey award.

The problem for Kucherov is that even when he wants to take shots he still has 2-3 guys on him because he’s a good shot which he uses to make passes to his open guys. Dude gets marked every play to limit his scoring chances because scoring is more dangerous than potential passes

@@GameOnWest maybe so, but that’s not unique about Kucherov. All 4 of these guys get a ton of attention from opposition defenders

He'll finish with 67 in classic Leafs style.

He'll finish with 69 and that will be a stratospheric accomplishment as well as a groovy sensation

@@robrick9361 lol 💯

​@robrick9361 now he has 68

@@-Subtle- He'll finish the year with 72 goals, 71 during the regular season. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I agree, they've all had great seasons, it's just harder to make their case in terms of team impact. The Bruins and Rangers suffer in these individual categories because their team is so solid across the board. Goaltending, defence, depth scoring and a superstar sniper, they have it all, so it only makes it harder to make clear arguments that one player has an outsized impact on the team success. Vancouver's coach should clearly win the Adams, that just seems obvious, even though the system probably doesn't work without Hughes. It's still a harder argument when the team was so crappy last year with basically the same roster - does credit go to the coach or the player? As for Helle, Winnipeg is 35-19 with him in the net, and 14-5 with him out, so again, it's not a clear argument for MVP. With the Lightning though, the team situation being what it is (missing Sergachev and Cernak, Vasilevskiy not playing well, Stamkos declining), there's really no other explanation for their playoff berth other than Kucherov's performance. Whether this should count more for MVP or not (should a mediocre team result really be weighted higher than an excellent team result?) is a different argument, but it obviously highlights Kucherov's value to his team. Crosby has been very similar this year for the Pens too. While he's 55 points behind Kucherov, his team is much better defensively, and I think that comes down to his leadership and example. Last night against Detroit, it was Crosby busting his ass to cover defensive mistakes by Karlsson. Unfortunately, no one ever wins MVP for defensive performance, which is why the Selke exists, and why shut-down defensemen barely ever get considered for the Norris. Just the way things are.

Oilers would be up for another 1st overall draft pick bud.

Tampa still has Stamkos, Point, Hedman, Vasilevsky, and Cooper. I love Kuch as much as anyone, but his supporting cast is as good as any of the other candidates.

They called it his office.

That would make sense. Split the awards among the 4 elite seasons. McDavid would tie Gretzky for wins with that too.

Agreed.

They all have crazy impact on their team. Without McDavid, do you really think they go on the run they have from out of playoffs completely to still having a shot at winning the Pacific and pretty much a guarantee of home ice the first round?

@@cjcable6995 of course, take a player with 130 points off of any team and they’re much worse off. but the lightning having an egregious goal differential with kucherov off the ice and an elite goal differential with kucherov on the ice says everything that needs to be said about which team would be worst without their art ross contender.

Having a career year but so is everyone else.

Definitely should be considered for the Ted Lindsey

Because Tampa would be useless without him? lol

As much as I hate the guy yes I agree without him Tampa isn’t even sniffing the playoffs

tampa would have an outside shot of winning the draft lottery this offseason if not for Kucherov

he’s so far out of the race that he’d not even a betting option on draft kings lol

He has just as much of a chance as anyone except McDavid or Matthews or MacKinnon or Kucherov

Its the HART not art ross u dummy... Panarin should in reality only be beaten by Kuch in the voting cuz they are both solo carrying their teams and one of those teams have led the league since forever thanks to Panarin. Kuch edges it but Nate and Matthews should never be in for the hart ahead of Panarin...​@@McNutEVD

Based on +/- it's between McDavid or MacKinnon.

@@hoskins666 im not saying it should be Mackinnon but it will be him 100 %

Holy drunk☠️☠️☠️

Completely agree

Yup! Not to take away from how amazing they've been this season but if Matthews wins it'll be out of popularity, and if Mac wins it'll be a bit of a "He hasn't gotten one yet and it's his turn" pity vote.

@danielk9475 Mcdavid has people vote against him out of jealousy and to get clicks. Kucherov has people vote against him because he's Russian.

What would make u say something so ignorant? The guy put the team.on his back vs tampa last year and leafs have never had a full team built for playoffs, Ur just an echo chamber of the haters but saying he doesnt care is just a false statement, People also said that about Ovi they are similar style players so we'll see he's still young

Couldn't be less true. But literally and repeatedly says he'd rather win than have stats.

Just add “said the seven year old boy” at the end of that statement. Obviously he cares about the playoffs just hasn’t had any team success so far

As a leafs fan ya haha he's dangerous and has taken it up a notch this year

@@TheGamerChronicles999 I’ve watched him knock my isles outta playoff for two years straight. You know you’re unreal when it looks like u play with no effort

Matthews won it when he scored 60 2 years ago but I'd say McDavid is a lock for it no one has done 100 assists in a single season since the 90's

Ur just jealous cuz no one in the whole league can scpre goals like him and dont forget goals are the hardest thing to do in hockey. Plus he just hit 60 goals for the second time which non of the other mvp candidates has done. 😂😂😂

@@nasirdin857 😭alright toronto fan whatever you say

Know what the leafs have never won? A conference final. Or a game against zamboni driver 😂

@@danielpetrucci8952 kuch probably hits 100 assists too