Auston Matthews, Igor Shesterkin, Connor McDavid named NHL's Hart Trophy finalists

Auston Matthews, Igor Shesterkin and Connor McDavid were announced Thursday as finalists for the NHL's 2021-22 Hart Trophy, awarded annually to «the player adjudged to be most valuable to his team.»

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the Hart. All NHL award winners will be announced during the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final, at dates and times to be announced.

The Hart Trophy field was packed with eligible candidates this season, encouraging heated debates around the league about what criteria best defines the NHL's MVP. Should a goaltender like Shesterkin be in the mix when he doesn't play every night? Should a forward like Jonathan Huberdeau be held back by defensive stats when offensively his 115 points were tied for second-most in the NHL? And are defensemen like Roman Josi overlooked for not being explosive enough?

PHWA members had the last word on who would make this season's Hart Trophy ballot. Each finalist has played a pivotal role in his team's success.

Toronto's Matthews is a Hart finalist for the second straight season, finishing behind McDavid in voting last year. The 24-year-old dominated league scoring this season, earning his second consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy in a 60-goal, 106-point campaign. Matthews is one of only 22 NHL players to have hit the 60-goal threshold, and at the 55-goal mark he set a new single-season franchise record in scoring for the Leafs. Toronto's alternate captain played a key role in helping the organization achieve other records this season in most wins (54) and most points (115) as the Leafs surged to a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division.

Matthews would become the third Hart Trophy winner in Toronto's history, and the first