5 Reasons Carey Price Will Win The Hart Trophy

Dec 20, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; A young hockey fan cheers with Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) after the game against Ottawa Senators at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens‘ Carey Price was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy yesterday, adding to his nomination for the Vezina just a few days ago.

There’s no question he will win the Vezina. I don’t believe there is a person in existence who knows hockey, knows the season, and knows Carey Price’s year who thinks otherwise.

But why the Hart?

The Hart Trophy, as defined by the Hockey Hall of Fame, is “presented to the most valuable player in the National Hockey League during the regular season.” The trophy is not typically awarded to goaltenders; that has only happened a total of 7 times, to 6 different goalies (Buffalo’s Dominic Hasek won it twice).

The last time it was awarded to a goalie was, ironically, when the Canadiens’ Jose Theodore won it in 2002.

Price shares the nomination with power forwards Alex Ovechkin and John Tavares. One might look at the positions these men play and, as Price is the only goaltender, give him the edge. While that’s certainly true, it likely isn’t among the considerations of the members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association who vote every year.

Tavares and Ovechkin both wear the “C” for their teams. The Habs have four Alternates this year, having lost their previous captain, Brian Gionta, before the 2014-15 season began. And though NHL rules state no goaltender can wear the “C” – for logical reasons – it is well known that were it possible, the easy choice for that honor would be Carey Price.

As it is, he is a natural leader, on the ice and in the room. It is well known that his calm, his sense of confidence and his experience are the team’s backbone, and that he is that ersatz Captain even though he will never wear it officially. I’m sure it doesn’t matter to him. His humility is flawless.

But he exhibits that leadership, and thus is very much in place with his two co-nominees, both of whom captain their respective teams.

There is only one trophy given out exclusively to goaltenders. Every other trophy is – almost always – handed out to skaters, even if goaltenders are nominated.

As history shows, goalies are left out of the other trophy categories – that is, unless a goalie comes along who just cannot be ignored as having earned the honor of Most Valuable Player in the NHL.

That man, this season, is Carey Price. And here are the reasons I believe he will be named the winner not only of the Vezina, but of the Hart Trophy as well.

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