Hart Trophy Predictions: NHL Most Valuable Players

Here are my Hart Trophy predictions for the 2012 NHL season:
Pittsburgh Penguins: Evgeni Malkin 93 points
Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos 84 points
Philadelphia Flyers: Claude Giroux 84 points
Ottawa Senators: Erik Karlsson 72 points

There is no clear-cut winner this year for the league's most valuable player. Evgeni Malkin has returned to fine form this season and will most likely win the scoring title. For a season where key players of the Pittsburgh Penguins such as Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Jordan Staal went down with injury, Malkin has carried his team into the playoffs.

Steven Stamkos on the other hand was not able to carry his team the Tampa Bay Lightning into the playoffs. He does have most goals, which cannot be overlooked. Claude Giroux is having a career year and is the main offensive catalyst for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Erik Karlsson is currently 10th in NHL scoring and he is a defenseman. He has over 20 points more than the next highest scoring defenseman. The last blueliner to have a 20+ point lead over his competition was Paul Coffey in 1988-89.

Most hockey fans including myself thought the Ottawa Senators would be nowhere near the 2012 NHL playoff picture before the season began. Karlsson has painted a very nice picture in Ottawa with his team contending for the Stanley Cup. My vote is for Erik Karlsson for 2012 Hart Trophy winner as the NHL's most valuable player.