And the 2022 Hart Trophy Winner ought to be…

I've revised my Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) criteria over the course of the season. Like I did for the NFL and NBA MVPs, I used quantifiable criteria and a cumulative score so that subjective judgments or bias wouldn't prejudice my hypothetical vote.

(Of course, the choice of which objective criteria to use is itself subjective, and perhaps worthy of debate, but the conclusions are not.)

I didn't settle on the formula until after the regular season ended. But here's how I came up with the NHL MVP: Add together the number of games in which the player scored a point in a win or overtime loss, and the player's Relative corsi. 

Contributing points in wins and OT losses (which count in the NHL standings) is part of my philosophy: I don't care about total season stats, but meaningful contributions to actual victories.

Corsi is a measure of the difference between a team's overall number of shots (not just shots on goal) and the overall number of shots against. It's a reflection of which team controls the puck the most. Corsi indicates a team's overall offense and defense capabilities, regardless of whether the puck gets in the net.

Relative corsi is the difference between the team's overall corsi and its corsi when a particular teammate is on the ice. The larger the difference, the better the team is with that player. 

I don't know what criteria Hart Trophy voters have used in previous years, but a familiar name has topped the MVP Chase's first unofficial Hart Trophy ballot. 

Beside each name is the number of games in which the player contributed a point in a win or OT loss, his relative Corsi, and the sum of the two numbers.

1. Connor McDavid, Oilers:  50, 16.8, 66.8

2. Kirill Kaprizov, Wild; 50, 14.9, 64.9 

3. Johnny Gaudreau, Flames: 53, 11.4, 64.4

4. Steven Stamkos, Lightning: 52, 10.4, 62.4

5. Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs: 47, 14.9, 61.9

Congratulations Connor! If you don't win your third Hart Trophy, it's not my fault.

James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase, Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, and JL Cells. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!