TAMPA BAY — Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning received the Hart Trophy as the National Hockey League's Most Valuable Player for the 2025-2026 season. The NHL announced the award on a Thursday before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

This marks Kucherov's second time winning the Hart Trophy, with his first win occurring in 2019. He became the first player in Lightning history to win the award twice, joining Martin St. Louis as the only other Lightning player to win the award. Kucherov recorded 130 total points during the 2025-2026 season, consisting of 44 goals and 86 assists. He averaged 1.71 points per game.

Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers finished second in the Hart Trophy voting, followed by Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche in third place, and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks in fourth. McDavid finished 10 voting points behind Kucherov on the ballot cast by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Kucherov received a total of 72 first-place votes and appeared on 196 out of 198 total ballots. McDavid garnered 68 first-place votes and appeared on all 198 ballots, while MacKinnon received 52 first-place votes.

The voting system for the award allocates points based on ballot placement, assigning 10 points for first place, 7 for second, 6 for third, 3 for fourth, and 1 for fifth. Kucherov's 130 points were 42 more than his closest Lightning teammate, Jake Guentzel. Kucherov had previously finished third in Hart Trophy voting during the 2024-2025 season and second during the 2023-2024 season.

McDavid also won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer for the 2025-2026 season with 138 total points. MacKinnon scored 53 goals and received the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Kucherov said, "It means a lot to me. Having success for the same organization that drafted me makes it even more special."

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said, "One of the great things that makes Kuch-Kuch is he's never satisfied. He could have 50 goals in one year. He wants to get 51 next year." He added, "But ultimately, he does not put that award above the team. He would trade that trophy for the Stanley Cup anytime. Those are the guys you want to have around."