The Votes Are In: 2023 Fantasy Hockey MVP
1 year ago
Roll out the red carpet — the 2023 Fantasy Hockey Awards are about to begin.
In most award ceremonies, a voting committee decides who takes home the award…but these sought-after awards will be determined by myself and myself only. A new award will come across my desk each week, and after extensive research, I will personally congratulate each winner. By “congratulate” each winner, I surely mean that I will write about it so you can go on with your offseason knowing who is the winner of each respective category.
Without further ado, the 2023 Fantasy Hockey MVP nominees are…
*** Cue the drumroll
*** Cue the awkward shots of the crowd
(Photo by Richard Harbaugh – Handout/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images)
Connor McDavid. Yes, he is the only nominee. So by default, our winner of the 2022-23 Fantasy MVP is…
CONNOR MCDAVID!
Feb 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates with the Oilers bench after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In a season so dominant that 97 had, it was a quick decision to decide he would walk away with the award. Due to many factors, McDavid wins fantasy MVP by a landslide. Not many players can be slotted into your lineup and average over five fantasy points per game, and Connor McDavid did it easily. In a standard scoring league, Connor McDavid averaged 5.5 fantasy points per game following his 153-point campaign.
Connor McDavid | 447.0 FPTS : 5.5FPPG : 82GP : 64G : 89A : 153P
The Oilers captain can do it all on the fantasy hockey front. McDavid carried each offensive category for managers by setting career highs in goals and assists. Yes, this is what we would expect from a first-round fantasy player, but that doesn’t take away from the season he had. Or it shouldn’t anyways. By setting 447 Fantasy Points throughout the regular season, it set up a lengthy victory among other NHL players in that category. Teammate Leon Draisaitl was the closest to Connor McDavid’s fantasy point total, with 386 on the season.
Leon Draisaitl | 386.0 FPTS : 4.8FPPG : 80GP : 52G : 76A : 128P
Knowing you can slot your best player in your lineup each gameday is also a massive factor when determining a fantasy MVP. Connor McDavid played all 82 games throughout the 2022-23 NHL season, contributing to his most valuable player resume. The health of your team can lead you to a championship or even derail your season. In the season of 97, his consistency, health, and performance could have single-handedly led you to secure a fantasy championship. If one player had that effect (which Connor McDavid had this season), he is the most deserving of Fantasy MVP.
Waking up, logging into your preferred fantasy website, and remembering Connor McDavid is on your team is one sequence I hope all fantasy managers can experience one day.
I repeat once again… CONNOR MCDAVID IS THE 2022-23 FANTASY HOCKEY MVP!
Next week I’ll be issuing the dreaded award of… 2022-23 Fantasy Hockey BUST of the Year. If you had a player that you now despise and will never draft again based on his “bust season” and would like to nominate him for the award, I’ll be taking nominations through my social media.
Twitter – GavinTurinek47
Until next time fantasy hockey fans! We are all in this together!
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