Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby: Handicapping the Hart Trophy

Before Henrik Sedin won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player for his efforts in the 2009 season, the last three winners were either named Sidney Crosby (2006) or Alexander Ovechkin ('07, '08).

This year, the trophy looks open for the taking. While Crosby and Ovechkin remain the NHL's poster boys, there are many other players throughout the league who could help their team get to the next level.

The following are the top ten candidates for the Hart Trophy next year.

Shea Weber

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COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 14: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Nationwide Arena on December 14, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Recently named captain of the Nashville Predators, Shea Weber will become a serious contender for the Hart Trophy if his team can play well enough around him to not only qualify into the playoffs—which they have five of the last six years—but get out of the first round.

If young players like Patric Hornqvist, Sergei Kostitsyn, and Colin Wilson step up and produce offensively around Weber, the Preds will have a shot to make a serious playoff run this year and give Weber a chance at the Hart Trophy.

Ryan Miller

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BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 17: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HSBC Arena on April 17, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Phot

Darcy Regier did little to make Ryan Miller's job easier in the offseason. Unless 35-year-old Rob Niedermayer replaces the production and influence of departed defensemen Toni Lydman (Ducks) and Henrik Tallinder (Devils), Miller will have his work cut out for him.

If Miller plays in Buffalo like he did during the Vancouver Olympics, he will help ease the pain of the loss of native son and breakout star Tim Kennedy (Rangers) during the offseason.

Zdeno Chara

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 07: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena on March 7, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Bruins 2-1. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Standing 6'9", Zdeno Chara, the NHL's tallest player, could be a major difference maker for the Bruins.

With the addition of Nathan Horton—the third overall selection in 2003 arrived from South Florida during the offseason—and second overall selection Tyler Seguin, the Bruins offense should be more productive.

However, if Michael Ryder, Patrice Bergeron, Marc Savard, and the two aforementioned players do not play to their potential, the Bruins are going to bank on Chara to help keep the team in the game.

Should he play to his capability, the Bruins, who have been chosen as preseason contenders in the East, will have a chance to win every game.

Zach Parise

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PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 20: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils skates against of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on April 20, 2010 in Philadelp

The Devils have been the No. 1 seed from the Atlantic Division four of the last five years largely because of the impact of Zach Parise, an uncelebrated superstar who made a name for himself at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Parise has had at least 35 goals and 80 points in his last two seasons. A well-rounded player who isn't afraid to get in the dirty areas, Parise's numbers should continue to climb as he gains more experience.

Joe Thornton

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 04: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at the HP Pavilion on March 4, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The only Hart Trophy winner (2006) to be traded mid-season, Joe Thornton has had a major impact on the Sharks since coming over from Boston in a four-player deal.

Thornton is able to make everyone around him better. Jonathan Cheechoo led the NHL in goal scoring during the 2005 season and had a 37-goal, 69-point encore in 2006, but has yet to reach the 25-goal mark since being removed from Thornton's line.

Flanked by two elite players in Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau, Thornton will be capable of eclipsing the 100-point mark should his wingers perform to their potential.

Chris Pronger

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PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 09: Chris Pronger #20 of the Philadelphia Flyers handles the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Six of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Wachovia Center on June 9, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andre Ring

Chris Pronger, who has participated in three of the last five Stanley Cup Finals, won the Hart Trophy in 2000 as a member of the St. Louis Blues.

One of two former Hartford Whalers still playing in the NHL, Pronger, 35, has had a distinguishing career as a complete player whose physical play and ability to find the back of the net at the right time have made him one of the most polarizing figures in the NHL.

If Pronger can make next year his seventh-straight year in which he has notched 10-plus goals, he will be fully capable of helping the Flyers avoid a Stanley Cup hangover.

Martin St. Louis

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the New York Rangers on January 19, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With three potential 40-goal scorers—Vincent Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos, and Simon Gagne—surrounding him, Martin St. Louis has the ability to rack up insane assist totals next year and help all three players play at an elite level.

Last year, St. Louis had his highest point total, 94, since his 102-point showing in the 2006 season, largely as a result of skating alongside Rocket Richard Trophy co-winner Steven Stamkos.

Should the two rediscover their sublime connection on the ice, both players should put up big numbers next year—assuming Lecavalier and Gagne are productive enough to divide their opponents' focus.

Sidney Crosby

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PITTSBURGH - MAY 12: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins prepares for a face-off against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Mellon Arena on May 12, 2010 in Pittsburgh

Coming off a year in which he shared the Rocket Richard Trophy with Steven Stamkos, Sidney Crosby has shown the NHL community that he is capable of being productive every year.

Since entering the league as the Penguins' first overall selection in 2005, Crosby has had 30 or more goals in every year except his injury-shortened 2007 season.

At only 23, the 2007 Hart Trophy winner has plenty of phenomenal years left in him. Assuming the Penguins remain in the hunt for the Stanley Cup next year, Crosby's name will be considered for the Hart Trophy.

Alexander Ovechkin

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WASHINGTON DC, DC - APRIL 23: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on April 23, 2010 in Was

A two-time Hart Trophy winner, Alexander Ovechkin has had at least 50 goals and 100 points in all but his sophomore season.

The Capitals will face competition from Tampa Bay this year, and Ovechkin, who has recently been named captain of his team, must figure out how to emerge as the best team in the East and bring a Stanley Cup to Washington.

Ovechkin's Hart Trophy hopes rest less on his individual performance—which, barring injury, should be outstanding again this year—and more on how far the Capitals can go.

Henrik Sedin

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 7: Daniel Sedin #22 and Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrate after Daniel Sedin scored against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Sta

Following his first 100-point season in nine years in the NHL, Henrik Sedin's play helped the Vancouver Canucks, who should be contenders again next year, advance to the postseason last year.

After years of playing with his brother Daniel—who was drafted one spot ahead of him, second overall, in 1999—Henrik surprised the NHL community by producing at a high level following Daniel's foot injury that occurred four games into the season.

Both Sedin twins will be Hart candidates next year if the Canucks are able to win the Northwest Division for the third straight year and overcome their postseason woes in 2010.