David Pastrnak's Quest for the Hart Trophy: A Glimpse into His Chances for Next Season
Boston Bruins standout David Pastrnak's hopes of winning the prestigious Hart Trophy this month seem dim despite his inclusion as one of the three finalists.
The frontrunner for the award is undoubtedly Connor McDavid, the exceptional talent from the Edmonton Oilers, who dominated the league with an impressive 153-point season.
Although McDavid is poised to remain a prominent contender for the MVP title in the years to come, Pastrnak's remarkable goal-scoring prowess ensures he will be a contender as well. However, oddsmakers are not entirely convinced that Pastrnak's chances of securing the coveted award will improve next year.
Pastrnak's quest for the heart trophy
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Pastrnak is considered one of the top candidates, although he falls just short of the coveted top three spots required for finalist status. Let's take a look at the leading contenders, according to DraftKings' 2023-24 Hart Trophy betting sheet:
Connor McDavid +125
Nathan McKinnon +700
Leon Draisaitl +800
Matthew Tkachuk +1000
Kirill Kaprizov +1500
David Pastrnak +1500
Auston Matthews +1500
Jack Hughes +2000
Tage Thompson +2500
Nikita Kucherov +2500
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As expected, McDavid is the clear favorite once again, but this actually works in Pastrnak's favor. With an impressive 61 goals this season, trailing only behind McDavid, and a total of 113 points, consisting of 52 assists, Pastrnak provides great value.
It wouldn't be surprising if the 27-year-old forward surpasses those statistics next year, especially if the Bruins place even more offensive responsibility on his shoulders, particularly in the event of retirements by veterans Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. However, this increased focus on Pastrnak could also pose a challenge, as opponents will have the opportunity to lock in on him without the presence of Bergeron or Krejci on the ice.
Nonetheless, considering Pastrnak's consistent performance, he should find himself in a similar position next year, giving him at least a chance to contend for the Hart Trophy.
