Jamie Benn, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane named Hart Trophy finalists
Award given out to player judged to be the most valuable to their team
Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, Dallas's Jamie Benn and Chicago's Patrick Kane were named the finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy on Saturday, awarded to the NHL's most valuable player.
Your Hart Trophy finalists are...<a href="https://t.co/yFW0G4a6fJ">https://t.co/yFW0G4a6fJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLAwards?src=hash">#NHLAwards</a> <a href="https://t.co/guSayuBWl2">pic.twitter.com/guSayuBWl2</a>
—@NHLCrosby finished third in the NHL with 36 goals and 49 assists in 80 games, including a League-best 27-31-58 during the calendar year (44 GP), to guide the Penguins to their 10th consecutive post-season. He is a Hart Trophy finalist for the fifth time; he won the award in 2006-07 and 2013-14.
Benn ranked second in the NHL with 89 points and third with 41 goals — both career highs — in 82 games to lift the Stars to their first division title since 2005-06 as well as their first conference crown since 2002-03.
Kane posted career highs in goals (46), assists (60) and points (106) to capture the Art Ross Trophy and power the Blackhawks to their eighth straight playoff appearance.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Hart Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.
The winner will be announced June 22, during the 2016 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.