Matthew Tkachuk Questions NHL MVP Voting After Stanley Cup Victory

Stanley Cup champion Matthew Tkachuk has never been one to hold back his opinions, and his most recent comments about the NHL’s MVP voting system have sparked debate across the hockey world. After learning that Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was awarded the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player, Tkachuk raised eyebrows by questioning how a Cup-winning captain could finish with zero votes.

“Zero votes for the champ? Are you serious?” Tkachuk remarked, clearly frustrated. While his tone acknowledged Hellebuyck’s stellar season, the underlying message was pointed—Tkachuk believes that playoff success should carry more weight when evaluating the league’s best player.

Hellebuyck’s MVP-Worthy Season

There is no question that Connor Hellebuyck earned his hardware. The Jets goaltender delivered one of the finest seasons of his career, finishing near the top of the league in save percentage and goals-against average, while backstopping Winnipeg to a strong regular-season record. Goaltenders rarely win the Hart Trophy—Hellebuyck became only the third in the last 20 years to do so—which makes his achievement even more remarkable.

Award voters often prioritize consistency across the 82-game season, and Hellebuyck’s dominance between the pipes was a key reason the Jets remained competitive in the Western Conference. His contributions were so vital that many analysts argued Winnipeg wouldn’t have even reached the postseason without him.

Tkachuk’s Case for Recognition

Still, Tkachuk’s argument has merit in the eyes of many fans. The Florida Panthers winger captained his team to a Stanley Cup championship, a feat that requires leadership, clutch performances, and the ability to elevate play when it matters most. Tkachuk’s combination of physicality, offensive production, and resilience in the postseason made him one of the defining figures of the Panthers’ run.

Yet when the Hart Trophy ballots were revealed, Tkachuk’s name was nowhere to be found. He did not receive a single first-, second-, or even third-place vote. For a player who just lifted the Cup and played a central role in one of the league’s biggest storylines, the lack of recognition came as a surprise—not just to him, but to his supporters as well.

A Flaw in the System?

The disconnect between Tkachuk’s playoff heroics and the regular-season-based MVP award illustrates a recurring debate in the NHL. Unlike the Conn Smythe Trophy, which recognizes the postseason’s most valuable player, the Hart Trophy is awarded solely for regular-season performance. This means that a player could carry his team to a Stanley Cup victory and still be overlooked entirely if his regular-season statistics didn’t match up with others.

For Tkachuk, the issue is less about personal accolades and more about representation. His comments reflect the broader question of whether the league’s awards system adequately acknowledges the players who define the NHL’s biggest moments—the ones fans remember long after the regular season ends.

Reaction Around the League

Tkachuk’s comments quickly made the rounds on social media, drawing mixed reactions from fans and analysts. Some agreed wholeheartedly, arguing that the league should reconsider how its awards are structured. They believe postseason performance should influence MVP voting, given the immense pressure and significance of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Others pushed back, pointing out that the Hart Trophy is, by definition, a regular-season award. They argue that combining regular- and postseason performance would dilute the distinction between the Hart and the Conn Smythe, two trophies that have historically recognized different stages of the game.

What’s Next?

Whether or not the NHL will consider changes to its voting process remains uncertain. League officials have been consistent in emphasizing the separation between regular-season and playoff awards, and the tradition is unlikely to shift overnight. Still, high-profile players like Tkachuk bringing attention to the issue ensures that the conversation won’t disappear anytime soon.

For now, Connor Hellebuyck will enjoy his well-deserved Hart Trophy, while Matthew Tkachuk can take solace in having hockey’s most coveted prize—the Stanley Cup. But the debate he reignited will continue to echo each summer, especially when great playoff performers are left empty-handed in the individual award race.