Nikita Kucherov wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP for second time
8 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 12:46 AM
Last updated Jun 12, 2026
Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning has won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP for the second time, as announced on June 11, 2026. Kucherov finished with 130 points, ranking second in the league, 10 points behind Connor McDavid. He previously won the award in 2019 and was a finalist along with McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon this season. His season included leading the league with 1.71 points per game and scoring 44 goals and 86 assists, contributing significantly to the Lightning's success. Kucherov's victory adds to the awards collected by the Lightning this year, including honors for goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and coach Jon Cooper.
- •Kucherov scored 130 points in 76 games this season.
- •He led the league with 1.71 points per game.
- •Kucherov won the Hart Trophy previously in 2019.
- •He finished 10 points ahead of Connor McDavid in voting.
- •Tampa Bay Lightning also received multiple NHL awards this year.
- 12:47 AMESPN — Lightning strikes twice: Kucherov wins 2nd MVP
- 12:39 AMYahoo Sports — Closest Hart Trophy votes in NHL history: Where Nikita Kucherov's narrow win over Connor McDavid ranks all-time
- 12:27 AMYahoo Sports — Lightning's Kucherov wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP
- 12:27 AMYahoo Sports — Lightning star Nikita Kucherov wins MVP trophy over Connor McDavid in closest vote in 24 years
- 12:06 AMCBS NHL — Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins NHL MVP, beating out Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon for 2026 Hart Trophy
- 11:47 PMYahoo Sports — Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, his second such honor
- 11:36 PMYahoo Sports — Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP
"Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player on Thursday, winning the award for the second time.The 32-year-old, who is a five-time finalist for the award, is the third player to go seven-plus years between Hart Trophy wins, joining Jean Beliveau (eight years) and Sidney Crosby (seven years). bb/mjf
"Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, the second such honor of his career after also winning the Hart in 2019. Kucherov led all players with 1.71 points a game on 44 goals and 86 assists. With 130 points, he ranked second to only Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, who had 138.
"Lightning star Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP for the second time, finishing 10 points ahead of Connor McDavid in the closest vote since 2001-02.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 12, 2026, 12:47 AMLightning strikes twice: Kucherov wins 2nd MVP
Lightning star Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP for the second time, finishing 10 points ahead of Connor McDavid in the closest vote since 2001-02.
- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 12:39 AMClosest Hart Trophy votes in NHL history: Where Nikita Kucherov's narrow win over Connor McDavid ranks all-time
Nikita Kucherov is a now a two-time MVP, by the smallest of margins. Where does the Lightning star's narrow margin of victory rank all-time?
- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 12:27 AMLightning's Kucherov wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player on Thursday, winning the award for the second time.The 32-year-old, who is a five-time finalist for the award, is the third player to go seven-plus years between Hart Trophy wins, joining Jean Beliveau (eight years) and Sidney Crosby (seven years). bb/mjf
- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 12:27 AMLightning star Nikita Kucherov wins MVP trophy over Connor McDavid in closest vote in 24 years
Three different players got at least 50 first-place votes each.
- CBS NHLJun 12, 2026, 12:06 AMLightning's Nikita Kucherov wins NHL MVP, beating out Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon for 2026 Hart Trophy
Kucherov bests two fellow superstars to win his second Hart Trophy
- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 11:47 PMLightning's Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, his second such honor
Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, the second such honor of his career after also winning the Hart in 2019. Kucherov led all players with 1.71 points a game on 44 goals and 86 assists. With 130 points, he ranked second to only Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, who had 138.
- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 11:36 PMTampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP
Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy for the second time since 2019. He joins two other teammates with 2025-26 NHL awards.
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