NHL Awards Watch: Believe it or not, McDavid not the unanimous MVP pick right now
Our panel of PHWA voters identify their finalists for all the awards, with some tight races in a few spots.
The NHL Awards are just around the corner, and our panel of Professional Hockey Writers' Association (PHWA) voters have made their picks for the finalists. In a surprising turn of events, Connor McDavid isn't the unanimous choice for MVP, with some voters clearly seeing other players having an equally impressive season. This is a testament to the incredible depth of talent in the league right now, and it's great to see some debate and discussion around who deserves the top honor.
The fact that McDavid isn't a lock for MVP also speaks to the strength of the Hart Trophy field as a whole. Players like Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov are all having phenomenal seasons, and it's easy to make a case for any of them to take home the award. The same goes for other categories, like the Vezina Trophy for top goalie, where players like Igor Shesterkin, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Darcy Kuemper are all in the mix. These tight races are exactly what make the NHL Awards so exciting.
So what to watch next? Keep an eye on the final voting results to see who takes home each award, and don't be surprised if there are some surprises. The NHL Awards are always full of drama and excitement, and this year's ceremony is shaping up to be no exception. Will McDavid ultimately take home the Hart Trophy, or will someone else sneak in and steal the show? Stay tuned to find out, and get ready for what promises to be a thrilling night of hockey celebration.
Originally reported by espn.com. SportsNewsletter adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.