Recap
The Lightning forward's regular-season dominance earns the NHL's top individual award.
Nikita Kucherov was named the 2026 Hart Trophy winner, the NHL's award for most valuable player. The honor was announced on ESPN's The Point ahead of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Kucherov, 32, posted 44 goals, 86 assists, and 130 points in 76 games during the regular season, a 19.0 shooting percentage.
The award comes as Tampa Bay competes for the Cup. Kucherov has been with the Lightning for 12 seasons since his 2013 debut and remains the team's offensive engine alongside center Brayden Point.
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Source: Pro Hockey Rumors Source feed