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Greg Wyshynski, ESPNJan 31, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
The NHL All-Star break is practically a sabbatical, as the league’s 32 teams all have bye weeks scheduled around this weekend’s festivities in Toronto. It means a solid block of time to spend with loved ones, recharge weary bodies and reset mentally before the second half of the season begins.
That goes for the participants in NHL All-Star Weekend as well, even though their break involves glad-handing sponsors, playing Connor McDavid’s skills competition reindeer games and trying not to suck wind during the 3-on-3 games on Saturday. It’s a bit more taxing than, say, swinging in a hammock on a Mexican beach. But it also isn’t the grind of the playoff race, either.
But the grind begins again soon, not only for those players chasing the Stanley Cup but the ones who are pursuing individual awards, statistical benchmarks, new contracts or simply a strong finish to a disappointing season — possibly with another team.
We’ve placed each player in one of the 2024 NHL All-Star tiers, taking into account how their season has been, where it might be headed and the roles they’ll play in shaping that future.
The MVP candidates
Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins
The next NHL Awards Watch will drop next week, but the early returns suggest that these players all have case for the Hart Trophy this season — although some cases are certainly more substantial than others.
MacKinnon has been on one of the most epic offensive tears of his NHL career, with 55 points in his past 27 games. There’s an 18-point difference between MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen (66) through 49 games. Again, no spoilers, but the Avalanche star is very much near the front of the pack for league MVP.
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And yet through 49 games, MacKinnon didn’t lead the NHL…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/39423608/nhl-all-star-2023-2024-predictions-trades-playoffs-standings
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-01-31 12:11:51
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