Trophy Tracker: Sharks captain Celebrini early-season favorite to win Hart

As the 2026-27 NHL regular season begins, San Jose Sharks captain Macklin Celebrini, 20, is the early favorite to win the Hart Trophy according to a poll of 16 NHL.com writers and editors, receiving 67 voting points with eight first-place votes. Celebrini edged Connor McDavid (59 points) and Nathan MacKinnon (54 points), while reigning Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov finished fourth with 28 points. Last season, Celebrini recorded 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists), finishing fourth in NHL scoring, and a Hart Trophy win would make him potentially the fourth-youngest winner in league history.