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Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid Should Win the Hart

By Sammi Silber

Jan 21, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goalie Laurent Brossoit (1) celebrate win with center Connor McDavid (97) and center Mark Letestu (55) after the game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Edmonton Oilers won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goalie Laurent Brossoit (1) celebrate win with center Connor McDavid (97) and center Mark Letestu (55) after the game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Edmonton Oilers won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid went above and beyond in just his second NHL season – and his first full season.

The Oilers named McDavid the captain prior to the start of the season, making him the youngest in NHL history to wear the “C.” And with that honor, he turned heads and made the most of his year. Looking at his success, will McDavid take home the Hart?

Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers /

Edmonton Oilers

Through 82 games this season, McDavid was outstanding, posting 30 goals and 100 points. He led the league in points and assists and clinched the Art Ross Trophy. McDavid finished 11 points in front of Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane.

Not to mention, the 20-year-old ended the season on a 14-game point streak and helped his linemates to new heights. Patrick Maroon scored 27 goals as part of the top line with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl also proved to have tremendous chemistry with the Ontario Native. Draisaitl finished with 29 goals and 77 points, and he and McDavid took the title of the NHL’s deadliest duo with 177 points combined.

Perhaps the largest impact McDavid has had is changing the team’s culture. With McDavid’s ability, the Oilers won many close games and fell into a winning culture. The entire organization grew more positive and competitive, and this helped the Oilers out of their 11-year playoff drought and into a new era – all lead by McDavid.

He and the Oilers made it to Game 7 of the second round, where they fell to the Anaheim Ducks. Despite the loss, the Oilers proved that they can match up against the top teams in the West, and even took down the San Jose Sharks (2016 Stanley Cup Finalists) in six games.

A Look at the Hardware

Thanks to an outstanding year, McDavid should be taking home a lot of hardware. He was nominated for the Hart and Ted Lindsay, and his accomplishments serve as reason enough as to why he is completely deserving of both.

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However, Sidney Crosby, who just won his third Stanley Cup and second consecutive Conn Smythe,  also built a strong case for himself this year. On the other hand, it should still be McDavid who takes home the hardware. The Hart only takes into consideration the regular season, and though there can be other factors, McDavid is more deserving. Not only did he hit the 100-point mark in just his second season (first full NHL campaign), he led the Oilers to new heights and is turning around an entire franchise.

In addition, McDavid had a lot of outstanding breakthroughs in the regular season and proved to be completely deserving of the MVP title. Surely enough, these nominations will continue to come,  as he will surely continue to move forward in his career.

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