Early Rankings for the 2022-23 Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's MVP

The Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded at the end of each NHL season to the player considered the most valuable player to his team as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin are among the past and present greats to win this prestigious award.

This NHL season features several notable stars who could become worthy candidates to take home the Hart at the end of the 2022-23 season. Some, like the Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid and the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews, are former winners of this award.

With the puck having dropped last week on this regular season, here's our ranking of the 10 players who we consider the early favorites to win the Hart Trophy. On-ice performance as well as value to their respective teams factored into this compilation.

Do you agree or disagree with our rankings? Is there someone we missed or a player you don't believe belongs on this list? Let us know in the comments section below.

10. J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 29: Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (9) skates up ice during their preseason NHL game against the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Arena on September 29, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The first week of this NHL season hasn't gone well for J.T. Miller and his fellow Vancouver Canucks. They lost their first two games, while Miller, who has two points thus far, acknowledged his frustration and disappointment with his performance to reporters following their 3-2 loss on Saturday to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Miller, 29, faces heightened expectations this season following his career-best 99-point performance in 2021-22. A versatile two-way forward who can play center or wing, he was the Canucks' leading scorer last season. His strong play and leadership rallied his club following a poor start to within five points of a playoff berth.

Awarded a seven-year, $56 million contract extension, Miller knows he's under additional pressure to prove his worth. Despite his slow start, no one should underestimate his determination and abilities. As he proved last season, when he's on his game, he's among the NHL's best players.

9. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images).

SUNRISE, FL - OCTOBER 6: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates with the puck against the Florida Panthers at the FLA Live Arena during an NHL preseason game on October 6, 2022 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Since his breakout 85-point performance in 2016-17, Nikita Kucherov has become the Tampa Bay Lightning's best offensive player. A strong skater with terrific scoring and puck-handling skills, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2018-19 with a 128-point performance, as well as the Art Ross Trophy.

Injuries have hobbled Kucherov over the past three seasons, including missing the entire COVID-shortened 2020-21 regular season recovering from hip surgery. When healthy, however, the Russian winger remains a key component of the Lightning's offense. He was the postseason's leading scorer during both of their Stanley Cup runs in 2020 and 2021.

Kucherov has three assists in his first three games of this season. If the 29-year-old winger can remain healthy throughout this season, he could be among the league's leading scorers once again. He could also find himself in the running for his second Hart Trophy.

8. David Pastrňák, Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images).

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins in action against the Washington Capitals during the third period of the game at Capital One Arena on October 12, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand have often overshadowed David Pastrňák as the top forwards and leaders on the Boston Bruins. With Bergeron now 37 and on a one-year contract and Marchand sidelined until the end of November by injury, the 26-year-old Pastrňák could become their top player this season.

Pastrňák has already established himself among the NHL's elite goal scorers. He shared the Maurice Richard Trophy with Washington's Alex Ovechkin in 2019-20 with 48 goals and reached the 40-goal plateau again last season. Blessed with tremendous speed and a quick, accurate shot, he's a crucial component of the Bruins offense.

Eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, Pastrňák has additional motivation to become the Bruins' MVP. He's already off to a terrific start with four points in his first two games. With Bergeron and Marchand aging, this is Pastrňák's time to establish himself as their future leader.

7. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 12: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Ball Arena on October 12, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

One of the NHL's most exciting forwards, Nathan MacKinnon has been a reliable offensive presence for the Colorado Avalanche. Since his 97-point breakthrough performance in 2017-18, the 27-year-old center sits third in total points (446) among all NHL scorers over that period.

A fleet-footed, highly skilled playmaker, MacKinnon reached 93 or more points three times and netted 88 points in 65 games last season. Injuries have limited him to just one full 82-game season during that time, but his 1.31 points per game pace makes him the Avalanche's most dangerous scorer. He already has four points in his first two games this season.

MacKinnon won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2013-14 and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2019-20. He's been in the running for the Hart before, finishing as runner-up to Taylor Hall in 2017-18 and to Leon Draisaitl in 2019-20. If he can avoid injury this season, he has a good shot at taking home MVP honors.

6. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images).

SAINT PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 13: Kirill Kaprizov #97 of the Minnesota Wild warms up prior to the game against the New York Rangers at the Xcel Energy Center on October 13, 2022 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)

Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2020-21, Kirill Kaprizov proved he would have little difficulty adjusting to the NHL game following six seasons in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In his sophomore campaign, the 25-year-old Minnesota Wild winger finished fifth among NHL scorers with 47 goals and 61 assists for 108 points.

In just two seasons, Kaprizov has become the Wild's most valuable player. “Dollar Bill Kirill" set the single-season franchise records for goals, assists and points. A swift-skating winger who reads the play well and possesses strong offensive abilities, Kaprizov was the Wild's scoring leader by a wide margin in 2021-22.

Kaprizov's value to the Wild will only increase after they traded away scoring winger Kevin Fiala in July to the Los Angeles Kings. He drives their offensive attack and will be key to their efforts to build upon last season's franchise-best 113-point campaign.

5. Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

SAINT PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 13: New York Rangers Goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save during the NHL game between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild on October 13th, 2022, at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In just his third NHL season, Igor Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy as 2021-22's top goaltender. The 26-year-old New York Rangers netminder was also a finalist last season for the Hart Trophy, finishing third among the voters.

Shesterkin led all starting goalies last season with a sparkling .935 save percentage and 2.07 goals-against average. He finished third in shutouts with six and was sixth in wins with 36. His performance backstopped the Rangers into the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and to their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2015.

The Rangers have established stars in Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox, plus promising youngsters like Alexis Lafrenière and K'Andre Miller. Nevertheless, Shesterkin was their best player last season. Establishing himself among the NHL's elite goaltenders, he could be in the running for the Vezina and Hart Trophies again this season.

4. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

EDMONTON, CANADA - OCTOBER 15: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers skates during the game against the Calgary Flames on October 15, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Most NHL teams consider themselves lucky to have one superstar on their roster. The Edmonton Oilers are fortunate enough to have two in team captain Connor McDavid and forward Leon Draisaitl. The 26-year-old German won the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy in 2019-20.

Draisaitl does not toil in McDavid's shadow. A versatile forward who can play center or left wing, he is a skillful playmaker and gifted goal scorer with two seasons of 50 or more goals on his resume, a plateau McDavid has yet to reach. He's also stepped up to fill the leadership role whenever his captain was sidelined by injury.

Since McDavid's rookie season of 2015-16, Draisaitl sits third among all NHL scorers with 612 total points. His presence gives the Oilers a one-two offensive punch that few teams can match or contain. With five points in his first two games of this season, he should be yet another worthy candidate in the running for the Hart.

3. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (Aaron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 12: Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche resets before a face-off against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Cale Makar proved he belonged among the NHL's elite defensemen when he was runner-up for the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2020-21. Winning the Norris last season as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP signals the Colorado Avalanche star's arrival as the game's top blueliner.

Makar had an immediate positive effect on the Avalanche lineup from the time he made his NHL debut during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. The 23-year-old defenseman truly came into his own last season, leading all NHL blueliners with 28 goals, finishing second with 86 points and sitting sixth in time on ice per game (25:40).

With his superb mobility and puck-handling skills, Makar is just as adept at breaking up plays in his own zone as he is at creating plays in the offensive zone. Those abilities were key to making him an indispensable core player for the Avalanche. He's a strong candidate to win both the Norris and the Hart this season.

2. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 15: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 15, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Becoming the first player since Steven Stamkos in 2011-12 to score 60 goals in a season, Auston Matthews won the Hart Memorial Trophy last season for the first time. He was also the first Leaf to do so since Ted Kennedy in 1954-55.

Over the past two seasons, Matthews has taken over from Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin as the NHL's top goal scorer. He won the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2020-21 and again last season. A gifted offensive forward with a deadly accurate shot, the 25-year-old center leads the Leafs in total goals (260) and points (459) since his NHL debut in 2016-17.

Now in his seventh NHL season, Matthews remains among the leading Hart Trophy candidates. He is the linchpin of the Maple Leafs offense. It wouldn't be surprising if he flirts with 60 goals again this season and takes home his third straight goal-scoring crown.

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

EDMONTON, CANADA - OCTOBER 15: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up prior to the game against the Calgary Flames on October 15, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Connor McDavid was runner-up to the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews for the Hart Trophy last season. The Edmonton Oilers captain was the league's points leader with 123, earning the Art Ross Trophy for the fourth time in the last six seasons. He's the league leader in total assists (459) and points (702) since joining the league in 2015-16.

McDavid is in the prime of his playing career. The 25-year-old center is an explosive skater and a dazzling stick-handler who can pull off impressive offensive plays at high speed. He's been the league's top offensive star since winning his first Art Ross Trophy in 2016-17 and continues to elevate his game, reaching a career best in points last season.

A former winner of the Hart Trophy in 2016-17 and 2020-21, McDavid has to be considered the favorite this season to take home the award for the third time. He's off to another fine start with four goals and five points in his first two games.

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Stats (as of Oct 16, 2022) and trophy information via NHL.com, with additional info via Hockey Reference.