German forward Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets have been announced as finalists for the prestigious Hart Trophy by the NHL on Thursday.

The third nominee for the award is Nikita Kucherov, the winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Hart Trophy is presented annually to the player deemed most valuable to his team.

Draisaitl, hailing from Cologne, Germany, had a remarkable season leading the NHL with 52 goals and winning the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. He also contributed 54 assists, totaling 106 points and played a pivotal role in helping Edmonton secure a third-place finish in the Pacific Division. This is not his first time being recognized for his outstanding performance as he previously won the Hart Trophy in 2020.

On the other hand, goaltender Hellebuyck had an exceptional season as well, leading the NHL with 47 wins, a stellar 2.00 goals-against average, and an impressive .925 save percentage. He also recorded eight shutouts and was instrumental in guiding the Winnipeg Jets to their first-ever Presidents’ Trophy. The 31-year-old netminder is not only a Vezina Trophy finalist but has also clinched the William M. Jennings Trophy. Hellebuyck is the first player in the history of the franchise to be named a finalist for the Hart Trophy. He is aiming to join the ranks of elite goaltenders such as Dominik Hasek, Jose Theodore, and Carey Price, as the fourth netminder in the expansion era to win the award.

Kucherov, a native of Maykop, Russia, showcased his exceptional skill and talent by leading the NHL with 121 points, securing his third Art Ross Trophy. The 2019 Hart Trophy winner played a crucial role in helping the Tampa Bay Lightning reach the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.