NHL Awards Watch: Kucherov takes the lead for the Hart

The race for NHL most valuable player is remarkably contentious this season, as a half-dozen players have a legitimate claim to the Hart Trophy.

“I can’t lie, I’m struggling with this one. But I’m happy to be struggling because the Hart race is giving us more top-line entertainment than we’ve seen in years,” one voter said. “I also believe voters have a responsibility to struggle with these decisions and weigh every aspect.”

The struggle is real in the NHL Awards Watch for March, our monthly look at the awards races through the ballots of actual voters. Because some of these races are really, really close.

We’ve polled a wide selection of Professional Hockey Writers Association voters anonymously to get a sense of where the wind is blowing for the current leaders. We’ve made sure it’s a cross section of the league, trying to gain as many perspectives as possible.

Bear in mind that the PHWA votes for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Lady Byng finalists; broadcasters vote for the Jack Adams; and general managers handle the Vezina.

All stats are from Hockey-Reference.com, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.