Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisailt leads a talented field of NHL elite in the race for this season's Hart Trophy, highlighting his value to the team and league

The Oilers come into a much-anticipated matchup on a hot streak. Connor McDavid. Nathan MacKinnon. Leon Draisaitl. Mikko Rantanen.

Give Moose his juice. Let’s say, eight years at $101 million. Everybody gets what they want. Mikko Rantanen, the good solider and Nathan MacKinnon’s literal right-hand man, becomes a $100-million player.

The NHL has hit the midway point of the 2024-25 season. Who are the front-runners for awards, plus the surprises and disappointments?

The Hart Trophy race should be starting to crystallize now that most teams are halfway through their 2024-25 regular season schedules. On the other hand, the player who led the way in our November and December editions has been out for more than two weeks because of an injury.

The Blue Jackets (21-17-6) have won five straight and play the San Jose Sharks at Nationwide Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, NBCSCA). They will host the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium on March 1 (6 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS-D, SN360).

It’s also because of Leon Draisaitl, who has a Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award to his name. Draisaitl won all three of those awards after scoring 43 goals and 110 points over ...

Here are the surprises, disappointments, award leaders and other categories from the first half of the 2024-25 season: MVP: Leon Draisaitl ... one behind leader Cale Makar, who has played one ...

Evason knew he was taking on a challenge, but he expected to have Monahan playing with forward Johnny Gaudreau, his close friend and former Calgary Flames teammate. He expected to have captain Boone Jenner and defenseman Erik Gudbranson to lead a group of skilled young players.

Jan. 22, 2025

Give Moose his juice. Let’s say, eight years at $101 million. Everybody gets what they want. Mikko Rantanen, the good solider and Nathan MacKinnon’s literal right-hand man, becomes a $100-million player.

DENVER — Cale Makar deflects not only shots but any mention of milestones related to him. It's just the nature of the Colorado Avalanche's dynamic defenseman. He's not a big spotlight person ...