Predicting The 2024 Hart Trophy Winner: Draisaitl, Hellebuyck, Or Kucherov?

Rajiv Sharma

5 min read

Post on May 15, 2025

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Leon Draisaitl: The Consistent Offensive Force

Leon Draisaitl is a perennial Hart Trophy candidate, and for good reason. His consistent offensive production makes him a top contender year after year. The Edmonton Oilers center consistently ranks among the league leaders in points, a testament to his offensive prowess and his ability to perform under pressure. His skillset encompasses more than just goal scoring; his vision and playmaking abilities contribute significantly to the Oilers' overall success. Keywords such as Leon Draisaitl, Hart Trophy, Oilers, points leader, MVP, NHL, offensive production, and playoff performance are all crucial to understanding his candidacy.

• Consistently High Goal and Assist Numbers: Draisaitl regularly posts impressive goal and assist totals, often exceeding 100 points in a season. This consistent high-level scoring is a major factor in his Hart Trophy consideration.
• Strong Power-Play Production: He's a significant contributor on the Oilers' power play, a key aspect of any team's offensive success. His ability to capitalize on man-advantages significantly boosts his overall point totals.
• Leadership Role within the Edmonton Oilers: Draisaitl's leadership on and off the ice is undeniable. He's a key figure in the Oilers' locker room and serves as a role model for his teammates. This leadership contributes to the team's cohesion and success, further strengthening his MVP claim.
• Previous Hart Trophy Consideration and Performance: Draisaitl has already won a Hart Trophy, showcasing his elite-level performance and proving his capacity to compete for and win the award. Past successes significantly bolster his current candidacy.
• Potential for Another High-Scoring Season: Given his track record, Draisaitl is poised for another season of high offensive production. If he maintains this level of play, he'll be a serious contender for the Hart Trophy once again.

Connor Hellebuyck: The Goalie Making a Case

While forwards typically dominate the Hart Trophy conversation, Connor Hellebuyck's exceptional goaltending presents a compelling case. For a goalie to win the Hart Trophy, their performance must be truly extraordinary – a game-changer that elevates their team far beyond expectations. Hellebuyck’s consistently stellar save percentage and goals against average make him a strong candidate. Winning the Hart Trophy as a goaltender is a monumental achievement, requiring dominance in almost every game played. The keywords Connor Hellebuyck, Hart Trophy, Jets, goaltender, MVP, NHL, save percentage, goals against average, and Vezina Trophy are crucial to his narrative.

• Exceptional Save Percentage and Goals Against Average: Hellebuyck consistently ranks among the league leaders in these key goaltending statistics, demonstrating exceptional ability to stop pucks and maintain a low goals against average.
• Ability to Steal Games for the Winnipeg Jets: Hellebuyck's ability to single-handedly win games for the Jets is a key factor in his Hart Trophy consideration. He often makes game-defining saves when his team needs them most.
• Impact on Team Defense and Overall Team Success: A top-performing goalie significantly impacts the team's overall defensive structure and success. Hellebuyck's presence elevates the Winnipeg Jets' defensive game, increasing their chances of winning.
• Previous Vezina Trophy Wins Demonstrate Elite Goaltending Abilities: His past Vezina Trophy wins solidify his status as one of the NHL's best goaltenders, making his Hart Trophy candidacy even more plausible.
• Challenges of a Goalie Winning the Hart Trophy: While challenging, the historical precedent of goalies winning the Hart Trophy proves it's possible. Hellebuyck's exceptional performance this season could make him a strong contender to overcome these odds.

Nikita Kucherov: The Playmaking Maestro

Nikita Kucherov is a master playmaker whose impact extends far beyond his own goal-scoring abilities. His exceptional vision and passing skills make him a key component of the Tampa Bay Lightning's high-powered offense. Kucherov’s ability to orchestrate plays and consistently set up his teammates for goals is a major factor in his Hart Trophy consideration. Keywords like Nikita Kucherov, Hart Trophy, Lightning, playmaker, MVP, NHL, assists, power play, and team success are essential to understanding his claim.

• Elite Passing and Vision: Kucherov's ability to read the ice and deliver pinpoint passes is unmatched. His vision and precision are key to the Lightning's offensive success.
• High Assist Totals and Crucial Power-Play Contributions: Kucherov frequently leads the league or is near the top in assists, demonstrating his ability to consistently set up scoring opportunities. His contributions on the power play are especially significant.
• Integral Part of the Tampa Bay Lightning's Offensive System: Kucherov's playmaking abilities are central to the Lightning's overall offensive strategy. His presence directly affects the team's scoring potential.
• Potential for Another Incredible Point Total: Given his past performance, Kucherov has the potential to achieve another incredibly high point total this season, placing him strongly in the Hart Trophy conversation.
• Team Success Contributing to Individual Awards: Kucherov's individual success is directly linked to the Tampa Bay Lightning's overall performance. If the Lightning have a strong season, his chances of winning the Hart Trophy will significantly increase.

Conclusion

Predicting the Hart Trophy winner is always a challenging task, but based on their consistent performance and potential for extraordinary seasons, Leon Draisaitl, Connor Hellebuyck, and Nikita Kucherov stand out as top contenders for the 2024 award. While Draisaitl's offensive prowess and consistent scoring are undeniable, Hellebuyck's goaltending excellence and Kucherov's playmaking magic cannot be overlooked. Ultimately, the 2024 Hart Trophy winner will likely depend on their individual performance and the success of their respective teams. Keep an eye on these three exceptional players throughout the season to see who will ultimately claim the title of the NHL’s Most Valuable Player. Stay tuned for further updates on the Hart Trophy race, and let us know who you think will win!