Crosby, Benn, Kane named finalists for league MVP
NEW YORK — 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.
Crosby 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 games played), 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.
On Friday, Benn, Kane and Washington goalie Braden Holtby were named finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award. Holtby played in 66 games for the Capitals in 2015-16, helping his team win the Presidents’ Trophy for the most regular-season points. The Caps netminder posted a career-high total in wins (48), setting a franchise record. He finished fifth in goals-against average (2.20) and eighth in save percentage (.922). The award is given annually to the “most outstanding” player, as voted on by members of the NHL Players’ Association.
The winners of both trophies will be announced June 22, during the 2016 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.