Wild Star Kirill Kaprizov Is An NHL Hart Trophy Front-Runner? You Better Believe It

The solid Minnesota Wild have been a positive surprise in the competitive Central Division, posting a 6-1-2 mark out of the gate.

One of the key reasons for that start is the terrific performance of superstar left winger Kirill Kaprizov, who has 13 assists and 18 points in just nine games.

Kaprizov has been so good that he’s one point behind first place in the Art Ross Trophy hunt, and the four players he’s either tied with or trailing by one point in that race – Sam Reinhart, Mark Stone, Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon – have played at least two more games than him.

As the NHL named Kaprizov the third star of the month for October, he should really be getting more attention as a candidate for the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.

It seems like the teams that Hart-winning players play on usually have to be playoff teams – even Stanley Cup contenders. And we’re not completely convinced this Wild team is a lock to make the post-season, let alone be one of the truly top-tier teams in the Central and Western Conference.

But to repeat: this is something that is out of Kaprizovs control. He’s delivering everything asked of him and more, and he’s doing it for $9 million per season. That’s some good value right there.

Kaprizov's ice-time average is 22:49 – three seconds behind Avalanche leviathan Nathan MacKinnon for the highest ice-time average among all NHL forwards. And Kaprizov has been an even-strength threat, with 12 points in that regard, as well as an effective power-play performer, with six points on the man advantage.

Kaprizov is on pace for his fourth straight 40-goal campaign, and he could potentially beat his career-high 47 goals set in 2021-22. He’s also on pace to demolish his career-best total of 61 assists – he's on pace for 118 assists and 164 points, which won't happen, but he very well could set a new career high in points, which is currently 108.

At 27 years old – and in his fifth NHL season – Kaprizov is finding new levels of dominance. Minnesota may now have its top-10 player in the NHL for the first time in a very long time.

If we take the Hart Trophy qualities by the strict definition of the award, Kaprizov is obviously a leading candidate. Take him away from the Wild, and what do you have? Maybe not a horrible team, but probably not a playoff team at all. That’s what being valuable is all about.

There are other formidable Hart candidates out there. Mark Stone has been a powerhouse in Vegas. MacKinnon is his usual outstanding self in Colorado. And Connor Hellebuyck has been nearly unbeatable in Winnipeg. But Kaprizov deserves all the laurels he’s been getting so far this season. He’s entering his peak years, looking engaged and confident and taking much of the pressure off his teammates with his outstanding start.

Hart Trophy-type-of stuff? You’d better believe it. Kaprizov is a difference-maker and a needle-mover the likes we haven’t seen nearly enough of in Minnesota. And if he does win the Hart, nobody should be surprised.

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Related: The Wraparound: Is Kirill Kaprizov A Hart Trophy Front-Runner?