2014-15 NHL Midseason Awards Report: Top 10 Leaders For Hart Trophy As MVP

2014-15 NHL Midseason Awards Report: Top 10 Leaders For Hart Trophy As MVP

By Brandon Fitzpatrick

January 27, 2015

Top 10 Hart Trophy Candidates as MVP

Rick Nash Sidney Crosby — During the first half of the NHL season, many players pushed themselves into the Hart Trophy discussion. The Hart Trophy is described as the trophy given to the "player judged most valuable to his team". Keep that in mind while going through this list. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 leaders for the Hart Trophy after the first half of the NHL season.

During the first half of the NHL season, many players pushed themselves into the Hart Trophy discussion. The Hart Trophy is described as the trophy given to the "player judged most valuable to his team". Keep that in mind while going through this list. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 leaders for the Hart Trophy after the first half of the NHL season.

10. Rick Nash

Rick Nash New York Rangers

10. Rick Nash

Rick Nash New York Rangers — After two disastrous seasons with the New York Rangers, Rick Nash is looking to erase those memories from people's minds. He is tied for the league lead in goals with 28, and he's on pace for 51 goals, which would be a career high. Nash has also developed into a player who can play in all three zones and in every situation. He carried the Rangers for the first month and a half of the season, as they could not win games when he didn't score.

After two disastrous seasons with the New York Rangers, Rick Nash is looking to erase those memories from people's minds. He is tied for the league lead in goals with 28, and he's on pace for 51 goals, which would be a career high. Nash has also developed into a player who can play in all three zones and in every situation. He carried the Rangers for the first month and a half of the season, as they could not win games when he didn't score.

9. Jakub Voracek

Jakub Voracek Philadelphia Flyers

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9. Jakub Voracek

Jakub Voracek Philadelphia Flyers — Jakub Voracek has been one of the few bright spots for the Flyers this year, as he leads the league in points and assists with 56 and 39, respectively. He has one of the best shots off the wing on the power play in the league, and if he was on a better team he would be much higher on this list. He and Claude Giroux have developed some serious chemistry. Voracek should be a factor in lists like these for years to come.

Jakub Voracek has been one of the few bright spots for the Flyers this year, as he leads the league in points and assists with 56 and 39, respectively. He has one of the best shots off the wing on the power play in the league, and if he was on a better team he would be much higher on this list. He and Claude Giroux have developed some serious chemistry. Voracek should be a factor in lists like these for years to come.

8. Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko St. Louis Blues

8. Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko St. Louis Blues — The Blues have transformed from a defensive juggernaut to an offensive juggernaut, mostly due to the development of Vladimir Tarasenko. The 23-year-old is only in his second year in the league, but he has shown the ability to embarrass defensemen. He is ninth in the league in points with 24 goals and 23 assists. He is also a possession beast, with a Corsi-for percentage of 55.2 percent.

The Blues have transformed from a defensive juggernaut to an offensive juggernaut, mostly due to the development of Vladimir Tarasenko. The 23-year-old is only in his second year in the league, but he has shown the ability to embarrass defensemen. He is ninth in the league in points with 24 goals and 23 assists. He is also a possession beast, with a Corsi-for percentage of 55.2 percent.

7. Ryan Getzlaf

Ryan Getzlaf Anaheim Ducks

7. Ryan Getzlaf

Ryan Getzlaf Anaheim Ducks — Every year Ryan Getzlaf is considered to be a Hart Trophy contender, and every year he falls short. Getzlaf has 50 points, good for seventh in the league, and he has helped the Ducks to the best record in the league. He plays a 200-foot game and is a good possession player with a Corsi-for percentage of 52 percent.

Every year Ryan Getzlaf is considered to be a Hart Trophy contender, and every year he falls short. Getzlaf has 50 points, good for seventh in the league, and he has helped the Ducks to the best record in the league. He plays a 200-foot game and is a good possession player with a Corsi-for percentage of 52 percent.

6. Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning

6. Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning — After breaking his leg last year, many wondered how Steven Stamkos would recover this year. Well, he has responded greatly, posting 26 goals and 19 assists through 48 games. He doesn't lead his team in points, but he is clearly the Lightning's most important player. Take him out of the lineup and this team goes from elite to middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference.

After breaking his leg last year, many wondered how Steven Stamkos would recover this year. Well, he has responded greatly, posting 26 goals and 19 assists through 48 games. He doesn't lead his team in points, but he is clearly the Lightning's most important player. Take him out of the lineup and this team goes from elite to middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference.

5. John Tavares

John Tavares New York Islanders

5. John Tavares

John Tavares New York Islanders — The Islanders are enjoying their best season in decades thanks to newfound depth and defense. Finally, however, John Tavares is getting credit for the amazing talent that he has. The Islanders' captain had an average first half by his standards, and he is still producing at a point per game clip with 45 points in 46 games. He makes passes that seem unimaginable and is the main reason for the Islanders' resurgence.

The Islanders are enjoying their best season in decades thanks to newfound depth and defense. Finally, however, John Tavares is getting credit for the amazing talent that he has. The Islanders' captain had an average first half by his standards, and he is still producing at a point per game clip with 45 points in 46 games. He makes passes that seem unimaginable and is the main reason for the Islanders' resurgence.

4. Tyler Seguin

Tyler Seguin Dallas Stars

4. Tyler Seguin

Tyler Seguin Dallas Stars — Think the Bruins regret trading Tyler Seguin because he didn't fit with their culture? Yeah, all Seguin has done this year is lead the NHL in goals with 28 while putting up 24 assists. He also has a Corsi-for percentage of 53.5 percent and has single-handedly kept the Stars in the playoff race. He is blossoming into one of the best scorers in the league, and he is still getting better.

Think the Bruins regret trading Tyler Seguin because he didn't fit with their culture? Yeah, all Seguin has done this year is lead the NHL in goals with 28 while putting up 24 assists. He also has a Corsi-for percentage of 53.5 percent and has single-handedly kept the Stars in the playoff race. He is blossoming into one of the best scorers in the league, and he is still getting better.

3. Pekka Rinne

Pekka Rinne Nashville Predators

3. Pekka Rinne

Pekka Rinne Nashville Predators — The most surprising team in the NHL this season has been the Nashville Predators, and that has a direct correlation with the play of their goaltender, Pekka Rinne. Rinne is having an outstanding season and, even though he is currently injured, will lead the Predators into the playoffs for the first time in a couple of years. He leads the league in wins with 29, has a 1.96 goals-against-average and a ridiculous .931 save percentage.

The most surprising team in the NHL this season has been the Nashville Predators, and that has a direct correlation with the play of their goaltender, Pekka Rinne. Rinne is having an outstanding season and, even though he is currently injured, will lead the Predators into the playoffs for the first time in a couple of years. He leads the league in wins with 29, has a 1.96 goals-against-average and a ridiculous .931 save percentage.

2. Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins

2. Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins — Love him, hate him or despise him, Sidney Crosby is still the best player in the game today. He has 51 points in 43 games, drives possession better than almost anyone in the league and is still the most creative player with the puck on his stick. The Penguins keep giving him different linemates, and Crosby just keeps putting up points.

Love him, hate him or despise him, Sidney Crosby is still the best player in the game today. He has 51 points in 43 games, drives possession better than almost anyone in the league and is still the most creative player with the puck on his stick. The Penguins keep giving him different linemates, and Crosby just keeps putting up points.

1. Mark Giordano

Mark Giordano Calgary Flames

1. Mark Giordano

Mark Giordano Calgary Flames — Remember what I said on the first slide about what the Hart Trophy means? Mark Giordano is clearly the MVP of the league then. The fact that the Flames are within reach of a playoff spot is astounding, and if you take Giordano away, the Flames are in the "McEichel" sweepstakes. He leads all defensemen in points with 40, and while his Corsi-for-percentage of 47.4 percent isn't great, the Flames' Corsi is five points lower when he is off the ice.

Remember what I said on the first slide about what the Hart Trophy means? Mark Giordano is clearly the MVP of the league then. The fact that the Flames are within reach of a playoff spot is astounding, and if you take Giordano away, the Flames are in the "McEichel" sweepstakes. He leads all defensemen in points with 40, and while his Corsi-for-percentage of 47.4 percent isn't great, the Flames' Corsi is five points lower when he is off the ice.

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