The Vegas Golden Knights have stormed out of the gate this season. The franchise has collected five wins through seven games and sits atop the Pacific Division standings. Their high-powered offense has fueled the early success.
Captain Mark Stone and winger Mitch Marner have delivered elite playmaking, with both forwards already reaching double digits in points. However, while Vegas continues to dominate, fans have rallied behind one player in particular as an early MVP candidate after his sensational start.
Why Are NHL Fans Calling For Jack Eichel To Win The Hart Trophy?
The Golden Knights have impressed through the season’s opening weeks. Despite dropping overtime decisions to Seattle and Los Angeles early in the campaign, Vegas has reeled off four consecutive victories. The offense has been the driving force.
Stone (11 assists) and Marner (8 points) have orchestrated the attack, while Pavel Dorofeyev has buried seven goals in seven games. However, center Jack Eichel has emerged as the franchise’s true standout performer.
With 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) through seven games, Eichel has continued his elite production from last season. He currently leads the NHL in scoring, and fans are already campaigning for him to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP.
“#1 Hart contender already,” one fan wrote on social media. The supporter believes Eichel’s statistics position him as an early favorite for the award. Last season, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck captured the Hart Trophy after a dominant campaign.
This season, no goaltender has separated himself with similar performances. Another fan declared, “HART TROPHY INCOMING!” The comment reflects the growing belief that Eichel will finally claim a major individual award that has eluded him throughout his career.
Despite leading the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2023, former Vegas teammate Jonathan Marchessault won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP that postseason. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid claimed the Hart Trophy for the 2022-23 regular season.
Fans believe this season belongs to Eichel. “That is just an insane PPG average. Early Hart contender?” one wrote. With traditional contenders like Leon Draisaitl and McDavid struggling early, Eichel’s path appears clearer than in previous years.
Unlike other championship contenders such as Edmonton and Florida, Vegas remains at the top of the standings. Some fans took the opportunity to criticize Eichel’s former team. “Glad Buffalo got rid of the reason they were bad. Thanks!” one tweeted sarcastically.
The comment referenced Buffalo trading Eichel to Vegas in November 2021. Since the trade, the Sabres have continued their playoff drought, while the Golden Knights have established themselves as perennial contenders.
Another fan simply mentioned, “League MVP,” as it becomes clearer that Eichel is in top form. He posted a career-best 94 points last season. If he maintains his current pace, a 100-point campaign appears within reach. At age 28 and in his prime, Eichel is positioning himself as the frontrunner for his first Hart Trophy.
