3 players who will challenge Artemi Panarin for the Hart Trophy throughout 2024-25

Yesterday, I talked about how three goaltenders were pacing NY Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin in the early-season race for the Vezina Trophy. Then, Jake Oettinger decided to struggle through a rough outing against the Sabres, and Shesterkin held strong vs. the Canadiens, making room to argue that he’s now neck-and-neck with the Stars goaltender. 

But what about the Hart Trophy and Artemi Panarin’s quest to win it? As far as the early season numbers go, I’d place Panarin at No. 1 on the list, but there are at least three legitimate challengers he’ll have to spend the entire season warding off. 

Today, we’re talking about those challengers and what makes them such outstanding contenders for one of the most coveted individual awards in the game. 

Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

Did I say we should use Artemi Panarin and Hart Trophy in the same sentence earlier? Heading into Wednesday, Makar leads the league in points, something that’s quite remarkable for a blueliner, having put up 14 in seven games. 

No, his points per game don’t quite match Panarin’s, but does it matter? This is a defenseman whose forward-like scoring ability has him firmly entrenched not just in the Hart Trophy, but also the Norris Trophy, watch. 

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

A contingent of fans probably think Nikita Kucherov should have won the Hart last season, but it looks like the snub has put a chip on his shoulder. Right now, Kucherov has seven goals and 12 points in just six games, putting him on pace for between 95 and 96 goals this season. 

Realistically, Kucherov won’t keep up this dominating pace, but it’s always fun to adjust these current numbers to 82 contests just to see where they may end up. While Jake Guentzel was the so-called “prize” for the Lightning, Kucherov has also kindly reminded us that this is his and Victor Hedman’s team now that Steven Stamkos is struggling in Nashville. 

Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers

This last name was a toss-up, but in the end, I decided to roll with Sam Reinhart, who has five goals and seven assists for an underperforming Florida Panthers team. Overall, there are about 10 players I could have put here, but it looks like Reinhart is busy reminding everyone his monster season last year was no fluke and that he’ll be an even better version of himself in 2024-25. 

Reinhart is also taking his defensive play up another level, blocking eight shots and laying nine body checks. But what impresses me more than anything else about the Panthers forward is the fact he can score in some of the most unlikely situations, having put up a pair of short-handed goals already.