The finalists, as announced by Gary Bettman and confirmed by the NHL, include Nikita Kucherov (TBL), Nathan MacKinnon (COL), and Connor McDavid (EDM).
This selection has been met with controversy, notably due to the absence of Auston Matthews, despite his impressive 69-goal season and a Selke Trophy nomination.
The exclusion of Matthews and Artemi Panarin has fueled debates across the hockey community, with many arguing that Matthews' omission is particularly surprising given his record-breaking performance.
Matthews still has a chance for MVP recognition through the Ted Lindsay Award, voted on by NHL players, some of whom have already expressed their admiration for his achievements this season.
Despite not making the Hart Trophy finalist list, Matthews' exceptional goal-scoring season is recognized as one of the NHL's all-time greats, ensuring his career will continue to be highly decorated.
