2013 Hart Memorial Trophy Odds and Predictions: Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

2013 Hart Memorial Trophy Odds and Predictions: Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: In the NHL, there is no more coveted individual award than the Hart Memorial Trophy. It is hockey’s version of the Most Valuable Player Award, and 54 different players have received the honor since it was first given out in 1924. Much like MVP awards in other sports, offensive players have had the edge. The last goalie to take home the Hart Memorial Trophy was Jose Theodore in 2001-02, and the last defenseman to receive the honor was Chris Pronger in 1999-2000. On that note, here is a look at the players that have the inside track on taking home the Hart Memorial Trophy in the abbreviated 2013 NHL season.

2013 NHL Hart Trophy Odds and Predictions: Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

The Favorites

He has been a stud since entering the league, and last year, Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin blossomed into a superstar. He finished second in the NHL with 50 goals and third with 59 assists. His 109 total points led all players, and his gaudy numbers earned him his first Hart Memorial Trophy. Malkin is just entering his prime, and he has more than enough talent and talent around him on the Penguins to become the first player to win the award back-to-back years since Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin.

The last time he played something that resembled a full season, Piitsburgh center Sidney Crosby scored 51 goals and dished out 58 assists. Plain and simple, he is the most talented offensive player in the NHL when he is healthy. Crosby is healthy to start the 2013 season, and fewer games should mean fewer hits. If Crosby is on the ice for the entire year, he is a safe bet to be among the league leaders in goals and assists, and he is more than capable of winning the Hart Memorial Trophy for the second time in his career. Outside of injuries, his biggest obstacle could be the fact that the defending award winner Evgeni Malkin plays on his team and voters may end up splitting their picks between the two.

The Dark Horses

After being picked No. 1 overall in 2008, Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos has lived up to his reputation as a scorer. He has topped 90 points in three straight seasons, netting at least 45 goals in all three years. Last season was arguably his best as Stamkos ranked second in the NHL with a career-high 97 points and led the league with a career-best 60 goals. The Lightning aren’t expected to be much of a factor as far as the Stanley Cup goes, but if Stamkos can at least make them relevant while remaining of on the league’s top goal scorers, he could shoot his way to the Hart Memorial Trophy.

He just keeps getting better and better, and if the trend continues, big things could be on tap for Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux in 2013. He has increased his number of goals and number of assists in each of his four seasons in the league, and last year, he ranked third in the NHL with 93 points. Part of his point total came in the form of 65 assists, which were good enough for second in the league. The Flyers figure to be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference once again, and if Giroux tallies 30-plus goals and 60-plus assists, he is going to garner lots of attention for the MVP honors.

The Sleepers

Like I said in the introduction, it has been a while since a defenseman has won the Hart Memorial Trophy. However, Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson just might be able to end the drought. He exploded in his third-year, ranking third in the NHL with 59 assists and 10th with 78 points. His 19 goals were also a career high. Karlsson had 25 more points than the next closest defenseman last year, and the fact that he ranked in the top 10 in points speaks volumes to his all-around ability. If he is able to up his offensive stats a bit and carry the Senators back to the playoffs, voters may not be able to ignore Karlsson.

Since the New York Islanders made him the No. 1 overall selection in 2009, John Tavares hasn’t disappointed. The center has upped his goal and assist totals in all three years in the league, and he finished ninth in the NHL with 81 points a year ago. His line last season included 31 goals and 50 assists, and if Tavares’ numbers continue to rise, it is obvious that he is going to join the ranks of the elite scorers. The Islanders’ win/loss record could be a hurdle, but a 40-plus goal, 50-plus assist season from Tavares will go a long way to solving that issue, as well. A Hart Memorial Trophy seems to be in this kid’s future, and it could happen sooner rather than later.

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