Hart Trophy poll

[TestSubjekt]

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames

Iginla, a Hart Trophy finalist for the third time, finished second in 2002 and 2004. He tallied his second career 50-goal season in the NHL and recorded a career-best 98 points (50 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games, ranking third in the League in both categories. The Calgary captain led the Flames in goals, assists, points, plus-minus (+27), power-play goals (15), game-winning goals (nine) and shots (338). He became the franchise leader in career games Nov. 29 with his 804th appearance, eclipsing the mark of Al MacInnis, and became the Flames' all-time goal-scoring leader March 10 with the 365th career tally, passing Theoren Fleury.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

Malkin, a Hart Trophy finalist for the first time, led the Penguins in scoring and finished second in the League overall to Ovechkin with 106 points (47 goals, 59 assists) in 82 games. Malkin posted a 15-game point streak from Oct. 23 to Nov. 22, the longest by a Russian player in NHL history, and tallied 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 28 games while Sidney Crosby was sidelined with an ankle injury during the second half of the season. Malkin was the NHL's leading scorer after Dec. 31, tallying 65 points (32 goals, 33 assists) in 44 games; the Penguins posted a 27-11-6 record in that span.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Ovechkin, a first-time Hart nominee, tallied 112 points (65 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games, capturing the Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring leader and Maurice Richard Trophy as the League’s top goal scorer. He also led all players in power-play goals (22) and game-winning goals (11). Ovechkin set the single-season NHL record for goals by a left wing, surpassing Luc Robitaille's 63 with Los Angeles in 1992-93, and his 65 goals were the most by NHL player since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96. Ovechkin scored 51 of his goals in the 61 games after Bruce Boudreau was named head coach Nov. 22, pacing the 37-17-7 run that carried the Capitals into the playoffs.

[CCF23]

Ovechkin, without a doubt. You just cannot ignore the 65 goals and him putting the Caps on his back and willing them into the playoffs.

[akitaboy]

Oven Chicken. CCF said it best. He just flat carried his team. I got to see him play at Nationwide, and got to see how lethal he is at the least expected moment. The other two guys are great, but can't match him this year.

[DeepUnderMeds]

Personally?
I would go for Malkin even the entire world will take Ovi.

[Hockeyknight]

The right answer is Malkin.

I listened to voters for this thing and they were all about Malkin because when the votes were cast, hockey experts were souring on Ovechkin because the Crapitals did not clinch a playoff then.

Malkin is the most valuable to his team and to the league. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CCF23]

Originally Posted by Hockeyknight

The right answer is Malkin.

I listened to voters for this thing and they were all about Malkin because when the votes were cast, hockey experts were souring on Ovechkin because the Crapitals did not clinch a playoff then.

Malkin is the most valuable to his team and to the league. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

What? Come on.

I know you're a Pens fan, but Malkin more important to the Pens than Ovechkin to the Caps?

I'm not denying that Malkin is very important to the Pens success, maybe more important that Crosby even...But without Malkin the Pens still have Crosby and Sykora and Hossa and Malone and Whitney, and Gonchar, and Letang, etc. Without Malkin the Pens are still a playoff team, probably still a top 4 team in the east.

Ovechkin scored 27% of his teams goals. He was the first player to score 65 goals in over 10 years. He is by far the most valuable player to his team. Without Ovechkin that Caps were little more than the 14th place bottom feeder they were when Boudreau took over. Yes, Semin and Backstrom and Green came on late for the Caps, but they would have been in no position to had Ovechkin not completely taken that team on his back and willed it into contention.

Again, I know you're a Pens fan, but Malkin more important to the Pens than Ovechkin more important to the Caps?

C'mon.

[TemplaerDude]

ovechkin dragged his team into the playoffs.

malkin did not.

ovechkin > malkin

[BulaJacket]

Ovechkin by far over Malkin/Iginla, who is also a step above everyone else.

I feel bad for Iginla being overshadowed this year.

There is no question in my mind that it should be Ovechkin.

[Futurestar84]

It has to be Ovechkin. I'm sick of hearing Malkin was able to step he game up when Crosby went down with an injury. He still played with Crosby for 53 games.

[kfkorn]

Easily Alexander Ovechkin, without him the Capitals probably would not have sniffed the playoffs. Evgeni Malkin is very valuable to his own team, as is Jarome Iginla, but neither are as valuable as Ovehckin is.