Landeskog believes MacKinnon is the only choice for the Hart Trophy
When Halifax, NS native Nathan MacKinnon was drafted first overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2013, there was an immense amount of pressure straight out of the gate for the youngster to make an immediate impact in the NHL. He did just that, recording 63 points in his first season and taking home the Calder Trophy as the League's top rookie.
You could make the argument that the next three seasons for MacKinnon brought a fair amount of regression after a very strong start, though the more likely scenario is that MacKinnon was learning to do things the right way, growing his game to an elite level, which does take time.
In 2017-18, MacKinnon absolutely exploded, managing to put up a lofty 97 points in just 74 games, which in the opinion of many, should have earned him the Hart Trophy nod that year. Unfortunately for MacKinnon, the honor went to Taylor Hall, who had put the Devils on his back and carried them into the playoffs.
This season, however, teammate and captain Gabriel Landeskog believes there is only one choice for the Hart, and he believes it is MacKinnon's year. Here's what he had to say on Sportsnet's "Good Show" on Friday.
"I think he should be winning the Hart (Trophy) and I think he should have a couple years ago as well when he was up. I know Taylor Hall had a great season, and he kind of willed his way for the Devils to go to the playoffs, but so did Nate with our group."
MacKinnon was on pace to absolutely smash his previous career highs in both assists and points this season, despite an astounding number of injuries to key players and linemates such as Mikko Rantanen and the aforementioned Landeskog, among many, many others.
"If you watch Nate play, he's a difference-maker every single night," Landeskog said. "If we're looking for that goal, he's usually the guy that gives it to us."
Landeskog does make a compelling argument for his friend and centerman, but if Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl has anything to say about it, MacKinnon may be in for another disappointment. Draisaitl was the only player in the NHL to surpass 100 points this season, having registered 110 points in just 71 games. He is sure to give MacKinnon a run for his money. I suppose we'll just have to wait until the votes come in.
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YESTERDAY
MAY 14, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Nick Suzuki | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Juraj Slafkovsky | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Ivan Demidov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mitch Marner | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Shea Theodore | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Phillip Danault | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Lane Hutson | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Josh Anderson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Cole Caufield | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Josh Doan | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jake Evans | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mikael Granlund | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Konsta Helenius | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brett Howden | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Alexandre Texier | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jason Zucker | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Rasmus Andersson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Leo Carlsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||