Here’s the big secret about Hart Trophy voting in the NHL: it almost always goes straight down the list of top point scorers in the league. There are variations, of course, but whether it’s because voters are lazy or because the league’s leading scorer often truly is the most valuable player on his team, that’s usually the way it goes.
Claude Giroux was a Hart Trophy finalist last year, and if the latest offs from Bovada are any indication, Jakub Voracek could be this year. He might even win the damn thing.
Hart Trophy odds via @BovadaLV: Sidney Crosby: 9/4 Jake Voracek: 9/2 Carey Price: 13/2 Patrick Kane: 8/1 Giroux & Getzlaf: 17/2
— Travis Hughes (@TravisSBN) February 3, 2015
(Yes, that’s Claude Giroux listed too.)
The Flyers are going to miss the playoffs, which makes this even more remarkable for Jake. The last time a player won the Hart Trophy without his team making the postseason was 1988-89 when Mario Lemieux won. The last time a player who missed the playoffs was even a finalist was Steven Stamkos in 2011-12.
So … the moral of the story is maybe don’t bet on Voracek to win. But even still, this is just more evidence that Voracek’s season has been an absolutely remarkable one.
