7 Hart Trophy Candidates To Keep Your Eyes On As The Season Comes To An End

Phil Kessel may have started his season off on a bad note, but he’s shown up night in and night out for the Maple Leafs and has played great. He’s earned the massive contract the Leafs awarded him earlier this season, and now has his eyes on a possible Hart Trophy.

Kessel has played in 71 games this season and has 35 goals and 39 assists on the season. Kessel ranks second in the NHL behind only Ovechkin in shots on goal. Kessel’s a skilled scorer, and he knows how to use his speed to get himself into good positions to get the puck on net. Kessel has had a great season so far in Toronto, and as the season begins to wind down for the Leafs, the playoffs are looking good for the team, and Kessel is a big part of that.

Kessel’s season has been good, but he’s going to have to step up his defensive game for Toronto. The Leafs defense hasn’t been good this season, and his offense has been a big part of why they are where they are in the standings, but if Kessel could become more defensively responsible it could help the team a lot, and could even help his chances in the race for the Hart.