The 2026 Hart Trophy race is heating up to another level. With the regular season winding down, former NHLer Jason Demers isn’t alone in his view, as more and more people believe Nikita Kucherov has emerged as a frontrunner for the award.
Why Jason Demers Backs Nikita Kucherov for the 2026 Hart Trophy
Following a dominant stretch that included a five-point night against Seattle and another three-point outing vs. Vancouver, Kucherov has surged right into the heart of the MVP conversation.
He now sits at 114 points (38 goals) in just 63 games, trailing Connor McDavid by only one point despite playing seven fewer games. On a points-per-game basis, Kucherov (1.81) actually edges McDavid (1.64), strengthening his case as the league’s most productive player this season.
Demers made his stance crystal clear: “NHL do the right thing…Nikita Kucherov …. Hart trophy.. TIME IS NOW ! Thank you 🙏🙏 or we riot”
NHL do the right thing…Nikita Kucherov …. Hart trophy.. TIME IS NOW ! Thank you 🙏🙏 or we riot
— jason demers (@jasondemers5) March 20, 2026
Beyond the raw numbers, Kucherov’s impact on the Tampa Bay Lightning has been undeniable. He leads the team by a staggering 43 points over the next closest scorer, Jake Guentzel, underlining just how central he is to Tampa Bay’s success.
That kind of gap only strengthens the argument that Kucherov isn’t just producing; he’s carrying his team offensively.
Of course, the Hart Trophy conversation isn’t limited to just two names. Nathan MacKinnon is right there as well, sitting at 111 points and continuing to drive the Colorado Avalanche.
According to NHL.com’s latest “Trophy Tracker,” the Hart race is basically neck and neck and could end up being the closest vote in over two decades.
In a 16-person panel, Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid were tied at 59 points. Nathan MacKinnon is just behind at 57. Kucherov holds a slight edge thanks to more first-place votes.
Meanwhile, second-year center Macklin Celebrini has also worked his way into the conversation, drawing attention for his impressive season with the San Jose Sharks. His case is built on putting up elite numbers despite playing on a struggling team.
Analysts like Kevin Weekes and Mike Rupp argue that Celebrini is doing “more with less,” leading a struggling Sharks team into a surprise wild-card race.
How the 2026 NHL Hart Trophy Race Will Be Decided in the Final Stretch
With the race this tight, the final weeks of the season could decide everything. Whether it’s Kucherov’s elite efficiency, McDavid’s consistency, or MacKinnon’s all-around dominance, each candidate has a compelling case.
For now, though, voices like Demers are making it clear that there’s growing belief around the league that this might finally be Kucherov’s year.
