in Hockey History
In the National Hockey League (NHL), the most valuable player (MVP) award is one of the most prestigious honors that a player can receive. While there are different criteria that are considered for the award, one important factor is the number of points that a player has accumulated in a season. The player with the highest number of points in a season is recognized as the league’s top scorer, and often becomes a leading contender for the MVP award. In this article, we take a look at some of the most outstanding players who have won the MVP award based on their high scoring performances in NHL history.
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky, also known as “The Great One,” is widely regarded as one of the best players in NHL history. Over the course of his career, Gretzky won the MVP award nine times, and he is also the all-time record holder for most points in a single NHL season. In the 1985-86 season, Gretzky scored a whopping 215 points, which is an incredible feat that has yet to be surpassed. Gretzky’s talent and skill on the ice were unparalleled, and he was a master at setting up his teammates for goals in addition to scoring his own.
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux is another NHL legend who achieved great success as a high scorer. In the 1988-89 season, Lemieux tallied 199 points, which is the second-highest total ever recorded in a single season. Lemieux’s performance that year was so impressive that he was a clear choice for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL’s MVP. In addition to being an excellent scorer, Lemieux was also a dynamic player with exceptional speed and agility on the ice.
Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr is a Czech-born player who had a long and distinguished career in the NHL. Jagr won the Hart Trophy in the 1998-99 season, thanks in large part to his impressive scoring achievements that year. In the 1995-96 season, Jagr tallied 149 points, which is the third-highest total ever recorded in a single season. Jagr’s ability to score at a consistent pace throughout his career helped him cement his place as one of the top players of his generation.
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby is a modern-day NHL superstar who has achieved great success as both a scorer and a playmaker. Crosby won the Hart Trophy in both the 2006-07 and 2013-14 seasons. Crosby’s scoring prowess was on full display in the 2009-10 season, when he recorded a career-high 51 goals en route to winning the Maurice Richard Trophy, which is awarded to the league’s top goal scorer. Crosby’s combination of physicality, speed, and skill make him one of the most dynamic players in the NHL today.
Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid is a young player who has already made a big impact on the NHL. McDavid won the Hart Trophy in the 2016-17 season, when he recorded an incredible 100 points in just 82 games. McDavid’s speed on the ice is almost unmatched, and he is able to make plays and score goals with ease. While he has only been in the league for a few years, McDavid’s potential is incredibly high, and he is already considered one of the best players in the NHL today.
Conclusion
Winning the MVP award in the NHL is a significant achievement for any player, but those who do so based on their high scoring performances deserve special recognition. Over the years, players like Gretzky, Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, and McDavid have proven that they have what it takes to dominate on the ice and put up impressive point totals. Whether they achieve this through their own scoring prowess or by setting up their teammates for success, these players have become legends in their own right and earn their place in the record books for years to come.
