With the NHL regular season winding down, and the trophy ceremony not too far off, lets take a look at the Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player) race. The race is pretty wide open and Inside the Rink has narrowed it down to 8 candidates as we come down the stretch run of the regular season.
Henrik Sedin: The 2009-2010 Hart Trophy recipient has had the least buzz of a former winner maybe in history. Henrik has 73 points on the year and is on pace to end up around the 100 point mark. He leads the Canucks in assists and is the number one center on the best team in the NHL at the present time.
Daniel Sedin: Henrik’s twin brother Daniel is having a career year with 32 goals and 78 points on his resume. Daniel plays with his brother on Vancouver’s top line and the dyanimic duo flourish playing alongside eachother. Daniel is solid in the defensive zone and is probably the frontrunner to receive the award, as he recently opened up a three point lead in the scoring race over the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Steven Stamkos.
Ryan Kesler: The third candidate also plays for the stacked Canuck’s group of forwards. Kesler plays a different style then the Sedin twins, as the American native is known for his two-way play and physical game. Kesler has 57 points on his campaign and has a +23 rating. Many close followers of the team would cast their vote for Kesler as the most valuable member the Canucks franchise.
Tim Thomas: While Tim Thomas basically has the Vezina wrapped up, he definitely needs to be included in the Hart Trophy talk. While he will have difficulty winning the trophy due to bias against goalies with this particular award, Thomas has been stellar for the Bruins this year. He carried a wayward Bruins team in the beginning of the year, and leads the league in Save Percentage and Goals Against Average. Without Tim Thomas, the Bruins may even find themselves outside the playoff picture.
Keither Yandle: Yandle has emerged as a Norris Trophy candidate with his 52 points on the season. His point total is higher than many great offensive players in this league, and is probably the best in the league at moving the puck quickly and effectively to Coyotes’ forwards. Yandle should be highly considered for this award as the Coyotes rise in the standings toward the top of the Western Conference.
Steven Stamkos: Stamkos has emerged as the leading sniper in the NHL with 41 goals on the season. He has 77 points to go along with his league leading goal total, yet has recently been slumping. He has brought Martin St. Louis back to life this season and the Lightning sit second in the Eastern Conference and are Stanley Cup contenders for the first time since their Stanley Cup victory in the 2003-2004 season.
Claude Giroux: Giroux has flown under the Hart radar, but he shouldnt. Giroux is the offensive leaders of the Eastern Conference leading Flyers and in his 3rd pro season has accumulated 55 points. Giroux has been solid in all three zones and has made big plays for the Flyers when they needed them. Look for Giroux to come through in the clutch and his production to continue to rise.
Nicklas Lidstrom: Again? Lidstrom has been in the Hart debate for almost 15 years now with his solid defensive play and offensive production. The six time Norris Trophy candidate is once again the front runner for the best defenseman award, but also may make a run at the Hart Trophy. He leads a stingy Red Wings defense corps and also has 48 points on the season.
Inside the Rink’s Take: If a goalie was to be considered for a Hart Trophy fairly, I think Tim Thomas would take the award. He has stolen numerous games for the Bruins, and has also kept them alive in countless others. But because Thomas won’t be given a fair chance due to his position, I would choose Ryan Kesler as the most valuable player. He earns the Hart Trophy in my mind for bringing intensity and passion to the rink every night. Kesler is a delight to watch, and motivates his teammates with his lead by example mentality. While his point total may not match that of the Sedin twins, Kesler is the heart and soul of a Canucks team poised to make a Stanley Cup run.
Inside the Rink 
How can you not give Stamkos the Hart? Sure the Bruins would not be in the position they are now without Tim Thomas. However, without one Sedin twin, there is still the other, and without either of them, there is still Ryan Kesler. However, Stamkos has scored 77 points for a normally bottom dwelling team like the Lightning, and has made them a serious cup contender in the east. Many people have having fantastic years, yet I just don’t see any reason why Stamkos should fail to take hom the Hart.