Surprise player enters Hart Trophy race with Matthews sidelined
After an off-season of speculation on whether he would stay or go, Johnny Gaudreau is in the midst of his best season in the NHL. With career highs in goals (38), assists (69) and points (107), Johnny Hockey is in line for a massive payday this off-season as he enters free agency for the first time.
Not only is he shattering his career highs and having his best season ever, but he has quietly emerged as a dark horse for the Hart trophy. He sits only 1 point behind Jonathan Huberdeau for second in the league in points and 3 behind Connor McDavid for the outright lead. He also only trails Huberdeau in assists and primary assists.
The most surprising stat from Gaudreau's season though, the fact he has 85 even strength points. His 85 even strength points are the most by a player over the last 25 years, surpassing McDavid's 84 which he recorded in 2017/18.
This wouldn't be the first time Gaudreau was in the Hart conversation, as he finished 4th in voting in 2018/19. With 8 points in his last 5 games Johnny Hockey has pushed himself into the conversation and with only a handful of games left, this Hart race could come down to the wire.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 19 | 313 ANSWERS Surprise player enters Hart Trophy race with Matthews sidelined Will Auston Matthews win the Hart Trophy this season? | ||
| Definitely | 196 | 62.6 % |
| No | 36 | 11.5 % |
| He would if he wasn't a Leaf | 81 | 25.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
