ST. LOUIS — was traveling to Tampa, Fla., for this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game on Friday when word came out that the Avalanche center is indeed a major candidate for the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
In an mid-season poll conducted by The Professional Hockey Writers Association — which officially votes for the Hart Trophy and other NHL awards at the end of the season — MacKinnon was runner-up to Tampa Bay winger Nikita Kucherov for the Hart Trophy.
MacKinnon received 49 first-place votes and appeared on 136 of 152 ballots. He was second by a wide margin over New York Islanders center John Tavares, who finished third.
MacKinnon is second in NHL scoring with 60 points (24 goals) in 48 games. Kucherov leads the NHL with 63 points (27 goals) in 49 games. MacKinnon is in contention to become Colorado’s third Hart Trophy winner, joining Joe Sakic (2001) and Peter Forsberg (2003).
But one thing at a time. The season is only at its unofficial midpoint, and MacKinnon has an all-star game to play in Sunday.
On Thursday after a morning skate at Scottrade Center, MacKinnon talked about what it means to be selected for his second consecutive All-Star Game. A year ago, he represented the Avs but was mired in the worst season of his career, finishing with just 16 goals and 53 points — each of which he has already exceeded.
Each NHL team is represented at the All-Star Game by at least one player, and even last year MacKinnon was deemed a draw in the NHL’s 3-on-3 All-Star tournament.
“I feel like I deserve to be there,” MacKinnon said before the Avs lost to St. Louis 3-1. “Last year, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be there. Every team has to send a guy, and we sent me, but we had a lot of good players I went ahead of that should have went over me.
“This year is a different case. I’ll be comfortable this year. I wasn’t embarrassed last year but I definitely wasn’t super proud to go. Obviously, it’s cool to represent this organization but other than that, I didn’t feel like I was having a year where you belong in the All-Star Game. I didn’t really feel like an All-Star.”
MacKinnon will be joined in Tampa with his parents and friends from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. He said he’s excited to be an all-star along with close friends Brayden Schenn of the Blues and Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby, who also is from Cole Harbour.
“My parents and Sid’s parents hang out all the time back home, so it will be fun to be with family and friends from back home and buddies around the league,” MacKinnon said.
Here are the full results for the PHWA’s 2017-18 midseason NHL awards:
Hart Trophy – to the player adjudged to be most valuable to his team.
1. Nikita Kucherov,
2. Nathan MacKinnon,
3. John Tavares,
Norris Trophy – to the defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position.
1. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Drew Doughty,
3. John Klingberg,
Selke Trophy – to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.
1. Patrice Bergeron,
2. Sean Couturier,
3. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
Calder Trophy – to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.
1. Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders
2. Brock Boeser,
3. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
Lady Byng Trophy – to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
1. Johnny Gaudreau,
2. Auston Matthews,
3. Ryan O’Reilly,
Vezina Trophy – to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position.
1. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Connor Hellebuyck,
3. Pekka Rinne,
Jack Adams Award – to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.
1. Gerard Gallant, Vegas Golden Knights
2. Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Paul Maurice, Winnipeg Jets
GM of the Year Award – to the General Manager adjusted to have contributed most to his team’s
success.
1. George McPhee, Vegas Golden Knights
2. Steve Yzerman, Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Ray Shero,
Rod Langway Award – to the defenseman who best excels in the defensive aspect of the game.
1. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
2. Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
3. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
