Matthews' biggest hang-up to being a lock for the Hart is the whole "who's turn is it" debate that the NHL Writers Association have to (stupidly) factor in to every debate. Of the four names in question, MacKinnon is the only one who hasn't won it yet.

We know the Rocket is essentially locked up: Matthews is going to be taking home hardware. Having thought about it a bit more, I think Nate only wins the Hart outright now if he also wins the scoring race and that the PHWA would never vote for Kucherov to win the Hart after his All-Star appearance. I'm also not trying to account for the standings because I think the PHWA doing so is also a boneheaded move but will do so below. Thus I think the breakdown is as such:

1. If MacKinnon wins the Art Ross, he also wins the Hart, circumspect of just being a dominant player this season.
2. If Kucherov wins the Art Ross and Tampa Bay is in a divisional playoff spot, then I think it's a 50-50 between MacKinnon and Matthews.
3. If Kucherov wins the Art Ross and Tampa Bay is in a wildcard spot, I think the field of MacKinnon, Matthews, and McDavid is fair game strictly because the PHWA is going to have a vendetta against Kucherov. If there is no vendetta, then Kucherov should be winning the Hart in this case.
4. If McDavid wins the Art Ross and Toronto is in a divisional playoff spot, McDavid wins the Hart with factors of a torrid late pace and the diminished factor of Matthews' importance to the Leafs' success.
5. If McDavid wins the Art Ross and Toronto is in a wildcard spot, then I think it's a 50-50 between Matthews and McDavid.
6. All points are moot if Matthews scores 76 or more goals to tie/break the "modern" mark set by Mogilny and Selanne, as the Hart sort of has to go his way at that point.

ARI pls pull the goalie so your man Matthews can get another Hatty lul

ESPN top centers

1. McDavid
2. MacKinnon
3. Matthews
4. Crosby
5. Draisaitl
6. Barkov
7. Hughes
8. Point
9. Eichel
10. Pettersson

What’s interesting is that 5/10 players surveyed had McDavid. 4/10 had MacKinnon. 1/10 had Crosby. All 10 executives had McDavid first.

EDIT - honorable mentions

11. Miller
12. Aho
13. Hintz
14. Zibanejad
15. Kopitar
16. Reinhart
17. Stamkos
18. Hischier
19. Thomas
20. Stutzle
21. Barzal
22. Hertl

Dont see anything wrong with that list. As the top 5 is pretty much perfect

Too often I feel like Crosby ends up way too low in these. Glad he is where he should be.

Some interesting rumours from TheFourthPeriod

- As we first reported at the start of the month, Markstrom is willing to sign off on a trade to the Devils. It’s now up to Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald and Flames GM Craig Conroy to agree on revised terms.
Separate sources confirmed the Devils would send forward Alexander Holtz back in a trade with between $2 million and $3 million of Markstrom’s of annual cap hit retained.

- One name making the rounds lately out of Ottawa is Josh Norris. The Senators are not shopping him, but teams have been calling and the Sens are listening.

- As the Detroit Red Wings explore the market and look to add non-rental pieces to their roster, young forward Jonatan Berggren remains an asset they are dangling as bait. But word is he recently rejected a contract extension pitched by the Red Wings and wants a shot at a full-time NHL gig, something he clearly isn’t getting right now in Detroit. Around five teams, including Calgary and Montreal, have expressed interest.

- Outside of Saros and Tyson Barrie, some other names making the rounds out of Nashville include Cody Glass, Tommy Novak and Alexandre Carrier.

Some interesting rumours from TheFourthPeriod

- As we first reported at the start of the month, Markstrom is willing to sign off on a trade to the Devils. It’s now up to Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald and Flames GM Craig Conroy to agree on revised terms.
Separate sources confirmed the Devils would send forward Alexander Holtz back in a trade with between $2 million and $3 million of Markstrom’s of annual cap hit retained

Is this a mistake? Logan Stankoven Scouting Report

Before playing a single NHL game he is listed as an 89 overall 2nd liner while Matt Duchene is rated as a 85 overall 2nd liner. I know there are different overall rating scales but as far as I can tell they are rated in the same scale since they are both listed at the same talent type (professional), position (centre), projection (2nd line), and trending (under NHL contract)

Buchnevich heard trade talk, secures natural hatty.

Is this a mistake? Logan Stankoven Scouting Report

Before playing a single NHL game he is listed as an 89 overall 2nd liner while Matt Duchene is rated as a 85 overall 2nd liner. I know there are different overall rating scales but as far as I can tell they are rated in the same scale since they are both listed at the same talent type (professional), position (centre), projection (2nd line), and trending (under NHL contract)