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Oilers’ Connor McDavid named Hart Trophy finalist for seventh time in 11 seasons
Jan 24, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Washington Capitals at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Zach Laing
May 8, 2026, 12:30 EDTUpdated: May 8, 2026, 12:42 EDT
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For the seventh time in his 11-year career in the National Hockey League, Connor McDavid is a Hart Trophy finalist.
It comes off the back of another excellent season for the Oilers captain, leading the league in scoring with 48 goals and 138 points in 82 games, securing his sixth Art Ross Trophy, tying Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux for second-most all-time.
He factored in 48.9 per cent of the Oilers’ 282 goals scored this season, the highest share in the league and ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon, the other Hart Trophy finalists. McDavid had a career-high 20-game point streak this season between Dec. 4 and Jan. 13, racking up 19 goals and 46 points.
Along the way, he became the third player in League history to notch nine 100-point seasons, hitting the century mark on Feb. 26 against the Los Angeles Kings.
Not only did McDavid lead the league in points eight up on the second placed Kucherov and 11 up on the third placed MacKinnon, he led the league in assists (90), individual expected goals (42.05, per Natural Stat Trick), and tied for the league lead in primary assists (57). He also led the league in power play points (54) and power play assists (41), multi-point games (43), multi-assist games (25), while finishing second in shots on goal (306), third in multi-goal performances (11) and even-strength points (82).
He hit big career milestones, too, becoming the fourth-fastest player to reach 1,100 points, and the third-fastest to reach 1,200 career points.
“It is a big number, obviously,” said McDavid after hitting 1,200 points. “I feel like I have a lot of great years ahead of me still, which is exciting. Incredibly grateful to have played with so many great players to knock off some of these milestones.”
Should McDavid win the trophy, he would become the fourth player in League history with four Hart Trophies, following Eddie Shore (four), Gordie Howe (six) and Wayne Gretzky (nine). McDavid previously won the award in 2016-17, 2020-21, and in 2022-23, the same year he received a fifth-place vote.
The award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

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