Zach Hyman, Edmonton Oilers
Zach Hyman has been the Edmonton Oilers top goal-scorer this season, and if he played for almost any other team in the league, we would all be talking about him as a frontrunner for one of the most coveted prizes in the NHL. Even with 54 goals in 79 contests, there is no way Hyman would be the first, second, or even the third-best candidate on his team, thanks to the numbers game.
For one, if the Oilers are serious contenders to win their division, Connor McDavid will always be the one every hockey fan looks to as the reason why the team played so well. And you can’t blame them this season, as McDavid broke the century mark in assists, even if he only found the net 32 times.
Then there is Leon Draisaitl, who scored 41 goals and 106 points in 80 games, plus Evan Bouchard, who doubled his points total from last season. Still, 54 goals are 54 goals, and despite McDavid’s, Draisaitl’s, and Bouchard’s respective presence, Hyman should be right up there with this trio for Hart consideration - or at least with McDavid.
Again, this isn’t saying McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard don’t deserve to be ranked just as high, if not higher; they definitely do. It’s just that we all know Hyman won’t get the credit he rightfully deserves since he has the fourth-highest points total on the team despite finding the net more than anyone else.