To mark the beginning of the 2025-26 regular season, NHL.com is running its first installment of the Trophy Tracker series. Today, we look at the race for the Hart Trophy , given annually to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team selected in a vote by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

Connor McDavid 's desire to win appears to be at an all-time personal high after losing in the Stanley Cup Final two straight years, making it possible that the 2025-26 version of the Edmonton Oilers captain will be the best the NHL has seen to date.

If so, McDavid likely would run away with the Hart Trophy that he is considered the favorite to win for a fourth time in 11 seasons, according to a panel of 15 NHL.com voters.

McDavid received nine first-place votes and 62 votin

See Full Page