What happened: Nikita Kucherov was awarded the 2026 Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player, marking the second time in his career he has received the league's top individual honor. He finished the season with 130 points, including 44 goals and 86 assists across 76 games played.

Why it matters: The win solidifies Kucherov's legacy as one of the most dominant offensive players of his generation, narrowly defeating Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon in one of the closest voting races in history. Nikita Kucherov led the league with 1.71 points per game and recorded 42 more points than any other player on his roster.

What to watch: Following his MVP campaign, Kucherov enters the 2026-27 season looking to build on a 50-win team performance.