Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has secured his third Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player, receiving near-unanimous recognition for his exceptional 2022-2023 season. His remarkable 153 points, a combination of a league-leading 64 goals and 89 assists, marked the highest single-season point total since Mario Lemieux's 161 in 1995-96. McDavid also received the Ted Lindsay Award, voted on by his fellow players, solidifying his status as the league's premier talent.
McDavid's Hart Trophy win was nearly unanimous, with only one vote going to Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak, who himself had a stellar 113-point season. Pastrnak's Bruins set a new NHL record with 65 wins but were surprisingly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. While acknowledging the significance of the awards, McDavid emphasized his continued focus on team success and the pursuit of the Stanley Cup, a feat that has eluded him and the Oilers thus far.
Other award winners included San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (Norris Trophy), Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (Vezina Trophy), and Bruins coach Jim Montgomery (Jack Adams Award). Montgomery's acceptance speech highlighted his personal journey of overcoming alcohol addiction and emphasized the importance of support systems. Bruins veteran Patrice Bergeron claimed his sixth Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward, while Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers earned the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
Rounding out the awards, Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings received the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship, Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Mark Messier Leadership Award, and Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins was honored with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance and dedication in returning to the ice after suffering a stroke.
