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NHL MVP Power Rankings: Way-too-early candidates for the Hart Trophy

With the 2023-24 NHL season still in its early stages, we take a look at some players that could win the Hart Trophy, including some former NHL MVPs.

By Jonathan Bailey

Auston Matthews is already reminding the NHL he's an MVP-caliber player.
Auston Matthews is already reminding the NHL he's an MVP-caliber player. / Claus Andersen/GettyImages
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Elias Pettersson. 2. 104. 2023-24: 2GP, 1G, 5A, 6 pts, +4. . player. Elias Pettersson MVP rank #2. Elias Pettersson. . Center

The Vancouver Canucks are a perfect 2-0-0 to start the season, and a lot of that success falls on the shoulders of superstar center Elias Pettersson. After racking up a goal and three assists in an 8-1 thrashing of the Oilers on Oct. 11, Pettersson picked up another two assists in their 4-3 rematch win on Oct. 14.

Penalty kill? Check. Power play? Check. Even strength? Check. The 24-year-old can do it all, and his ability to win his matchup in every situation has propelled the Canucks to a hot start. Through two games, Pettersson has an on-ice goals percentage of 88.9 percent — the highest amongst qualifying forwards who've been on the ice for at least one goal against.

Pettersson's MVP case hedges a bit on how long his teammates - like Brock Boeser - can keep up the charade. The 100-point scorer is in a similar situation to Pastrnak in terms of a weaker supporting cast, and especially if Conor Garland is in fact traded out of Vancouver.

In a contract year, Pettersson is producing points at a torrid pace, and doing so against some of the very best in the NHL. He's worth keeping a close eye on in the Hart Trophy race.

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