Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon for the Hart Trophy? Fans Weigh In

Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon have long been the two best players in the NHL, yet somehow in 2025–26 it feels like they’ve taken their games to another level.

The superstar centers have toyed with the rest of the league to start the season, sitting far and away as the top two point producers while leading their respective teams comfortably into playoff position at the holiday break.

MacKinnon burst out of the gates and looked as though he had the Hart and Art Ross Trophies wrapped up before anyone else even had a chance. That was until December arrived and McDavid flipped the switch into full “McJesus” mode, not only closing the gap but blowing past MacKinnon to open up a six-point lead—something few could’ve imagined just a month ago.

Assuming both maintain anything close to their current and usual pace, each has a compelling case to take home league MVP honors, setting the stage for a thrilling race down the stretch.

As Christmas approaches, it’s about as close as it gets, though sentiment around the hockey world appears to be leaning slightly toward the Oilers captain. TSN’s OverDrive posted a poll on X (formerly Twitter) asking whether McDavid is more likely to win the Hart than MacKinnon, which 56 percent of the 750 voters confirmed.

The 28-year-old McDavid has piled up 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists) in 38 games, while MacKinnon, 30, sits at 61 points (30 goals, 31 assists) in just 36 contests.

Is Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon the MVP?

Choosing between two generational superstars at the peak of their powers is about as difficult as it gets.

There’s still plenty of hockey left to be played, and both have elite running mates—Leon Draisaitl and Cale Makar—who are worthy of Hart Trophy consideration themselves.

That said, what McDavid has done over the past month to drag a thinner supporting cast in Edmonton back into contention gives him the edge at the moment, though MacKinnon, of course, remains right on his heels.

Time has flown by, and both players are now entering the back half of their careers, so fans should appreciate just how rare it is to watch talents like McDavid and MacKinnon go toe-to-toe in a scoring race like this—because they don’t come around often.

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