Benn, Crosby, Kane named Hart Trophy finalists
The NHL announced Saturday that Jamie Benn, Sidney Crosby, and Patrick Kane are this year's finalists for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the player "adjudged to be the most valuable to his team."
Kane scored the nomination after he collected his first Art Ross Trophy for pacing the league in points with 106, and finished second in the Rocket Richard Trophy race with 46 goals.
He hit career highs in every offensive category in his ninth season with the Chicago Blackhawks and became the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring.
Benn finished second in league scoring behind Kane after also achieving career bests in goals and points with 41 and 89, respectively. He helped the Dallas Stars capture the top spot in the Western Conference and currently leads the NHL with 14 playoff points.
Crosby earned his fifth Hart Trophy nomination after a relatively slow start to the season that saw him go pointless in eight of the Pittsburgh Penguins' first nine games.
He picked things up down the stretch, recording at least a point in 20 of his final 21 games. Crosby was also the only player to have at least two 10-game point streaks this season.
The Hart Trophy will be handed out at the NHL Awards on June 22.