Should Macklin Celebrini win the Hart Trophy if the Sharks make the playoffs?

Daily Faceoff released its 2025-26 midseason NHL awards this week, with 13 of our editors, senior staff and news team members submitting ballots for the six major NHL awards — Hart Trophy, Calder Trophy, Selke Trophy, Norris Trophy, Vezina Trophy and Jack Adams Award.

Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon earned the Hart Trophy, with Edmonton Oilers’ forward Connor McDavid and San Jose Sharks’ forward Macklin Celebrini ending up as the two finalists.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discuss the results of the ballots and if Celebrini should get more consideration if the Sharks make the playoffs.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Macklin Celebrini came third in our Hart Trophy voting. I’ve done some digging into the numbers on San Jose, and I think they’re a little bit of a paper tiger. I don’t want to call them fraudulent, because Celebrini has been unbelievable and their 20.9% power play has certainly helped them, but at 5-on-5, they’ve been subpar as of late. I do think eventually, the Sharks will slide out of the playoff conversation.

But we’re also past the halfway mark, so anything is possible. Let me ask you: At the end of the year, if the Sharks make the playoffs and you have an MVP vote, would you give it to Celebrini if he wills them to the playoffs?

Carter Hutton: I don’t know. I guess I’d have to look at the number breakdown, but I’m not ready to pass the torch, yet. If I’m Nathan MacKinnon or Connor McDavid, where they’re at age-wise, it feels like this could be MacKinnon’s last run at the Hart Trophy.

I think Celebrini will eventually win the Hart Trophy, but from start to finish, MacKinnon will be the best player. I know he’s got a better supporting cast in Cale Makar and Martin Necas and Brock Nelson. It will be a tough argument, though, because we saw last year with Connor Hellebuyck being the Hart Trophy winner, no one really thought that but if you look at that Winnipeg Jets team, he was outright their best player.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…