Laying Out 2016 Hart Trophy Cases for NHL's Top Candidates

The NHL regular season is winding down, and fans are talking about candidates for the Hart Memorial Trophy. There are a few strong candidates among past winners for the league's MVP award, but there are many stars who have never won who are making their best cases in 2015-16.

Some of the past winners who have a chance are Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Among those who have never won, Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane and Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar have to be in the conversation.

Here are the top candidates for the Hart Trophy this season.

Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane

DAVID BANKS/Associated Press

Why Is He Special? Patrick Kane is a stunning puck-handler, passer and shooter. His calling card is quickness, and NHL defenders have a terrible time covering him—as reflected in his running away with the NHL scoring championship. In what is already a terrific career, this is easily Kane's best season.

What Do the Numbers Tell Us? Kane has scored 39 goals and 92 points this year and could post the first 100-point season since Sidney Crosby in 2014. Kane is dominant across the board, including a league-leading 32 power-play points, per NHL.com. His offensive prowess came at a good time, as the other Blackhawks have been having a more difficult time producing offense this year. Kane's line—Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov are his most common linemates—have been outstanding at even strength this year.

Can He Win? At this point in the season—things can change, but we are are running out of time—Kane should be considered the prohibitive favorite to win the Hart Trophy.

Dallas Stars: Jamie Benn

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

Why Is He Special? Jamie Benn is an impact scorer and a dynamic physical presence for the Dallas Stars. His combination of size, skill and rugged play make him a unique forward. 

What Do the Numbers Tell Us? Benn is a coach's dream—he has an offensive impact and is consistent. Over the last three seasons, Benn has scored 34, 35 and now 36 goals during the regular season. Along with linemate Tyler Seguin, Benn ranks as one of the most dangerous players in the game.

Can He Win? Benn has never won a Hart Trophy, and has only one major award—the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading point-getter in 2015. He is in his prime and will garner MVP votes this year, but he is likely to fall shy of winning the award.

Los Angeles Kings: Anze Kopitar

Alex Gallardo/Associated Press

Why Is He Special? Anze Kopitar is a complete player, a big guy—he is 6'3'', 224 pounds—and one of the top No. 1 centers in the game. 

What Do the Numbers Tell Us? Kopitar is having one of his best offensive seasons, and ranks No. 15 in the NHL among regular forwards in even-strength offense. He is also a tremendous possession player, giving Los Angeles the puck in almost 60 percent of his minutes at even strength. 

Can He Win? Kopitar is a great player on one of the best team's of this era, so he will get consideration. He ranks just inside the top 10 in points, but the fact he isn't higher could hurt his chances. He is worthy of strong consideration for the honor based on his season.

Ottawa Senators: Erik Karlsson

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Why Is He Special? Erik Karlsson is the most dangerous offensive defenseman in the NHL and impacts an offense like no other defenseman.

What Do the Numbers Tell Us? In a career that has delivered two Norris trophies as top defenseman, this could be Karlsson's best season. He currently leads all NHL players in assists, an extremely rare accomplishment for a defender. The last defenseman to do it? Bobby Orr in 1975.

Can He Win? The Ottawa Senators are having a poor season and will not make the playoffs. That will have a major impact on Karlsson's chances of winning another Norris Trophy, let alone the Hart Trophy. Despite delivering a rare season, he will not win the award in 2016.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Why Is He Special? Sidney Crosby is the most talented NHL player of this century. His skills run the complete range, and when healthy, there is no player in the league more feared by the opposition. 

What Do the Numbers Tell Us? Crosby struggled early in the season—scoring 27 points in his first 36 games through the end of December. Since the calendar turned to 2016, Crosby has posted 49 points in 35 games. After the slower start, his numbers are in alignment with his career totals.

Can He Win? The Pittsburgh Penguins are winning games, and Crosby is impacting those victories in a big way. He won the Hart Trophy in 2007 and 2014 and is likely to be a finalist again this season. Although the voters will probably favor Patrick Kane, there is a chance Crosby wins his third MVP award.

Washington Capitals: Alexander Ovechkin

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Why Is He Special? Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is the greatest goal-scorer of his generation and one of the best of all time. He leads the league in goals—again—something NHL fans have come to expect over the years.

What Do the Numbers Tell Us? It is easy to take a great player like Ovechkin for granted when discussing the Hart Trophy, because our expectations are so high each season. He won the Rocket Richard Trophy as leading goal-scorer in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and could make it four in a row. That is tremendous consistency at a very high level.

Can He Win? Ovechkin won three Hart trophies in his 20s—2008, 2009 and in 2013. His statistics for this season are less impressive than those of his Hart-winning years, and he is not among the top 10 in total points, which can impact the voting. He also has more support this season than in the past, which could contribute as well. Ovechkin will do well in voting but is unlikely to win the award.

Advanced statistics courtesy stats.hockeyanalysis.com and Hockey-Reference.com.