Ovechkin rounds out refreshing MVP candidate list

At 36-years-old, Alexander Ovechkin keeps on scoring but when it comes to Hart Trophy consideration, the Great Eight has some new company in Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau and Predators goaltender Juuse Saros.

Video Transcript

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Let's go to first half MVP. I'm going to start. And I'm going to say even though he's not leading scoring anymore, it is just still a joy to watch Alexander Ovechkin play at his age and score goals. And I think because of the fact that at his age, at 36, he's been able to continue his torrid pace of scoring, that's enough for me to consider him as an MVP, not to mention the Capitals, still a good team. We think their window's closing a little bit. And maybe they've tailed off a little bit from how their play was a little earlier this year. But Alexander Ovechkin, still giving it to people in the mid to late 30s. So I will give him first half MVP.

Omar, who's your pick?

OMAR: Oh, Kadri, 100%.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Nice pick.

OMAR: And again, I think he just, he's having an incredible season, especially when it comes to his play, the narrative is always like, OK, he's playing well now, but like is he going to be there in the playoffs? And I think what he's done this year is really kind of amp up his leadership overall, both when it comes to the performance and also just his presence. And I think, by him taking this next step is another way to say like, hey, like I'm here and I'm ready, I'm ready to help us jump the hurdle. A lot of people say that the Avalanche are the Leafs of the second round, which--

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Damn.

OMAR: Which is--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Not that you know what the second round's like.

[LAUGHTER]

Ah. Yeah.

OMAR: Which I was going to say is kind of blasphemous, because at least they've seen second round. But honestly, like I think what Kadri's been doing this year is really sending the message that like he's here to have an impactful role on the team. And honestly, I think the fact that not only Avs fans but also like fans around the league have caught on and have seen what kind of a season he's having, I got to give it to him.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: OK. Sam.

SAM CHANG: I'm going to give it to Juuse Saros. I think given that Nashville is both [? Cuth ?] and my surprise team, he's in, I think, everyone's top three candidates for a Vezina. He's got, I think, over-- he's got 100 more saves than John Gibson, who's in second place behind him for most saves in the league this year. He's top five in save percentage. And he's played the most games out of any goaltender. And that team is not a team that should have been good, and he's carrying them on his back.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Cuthbert, you're-- that too. Short [INAUDIBLE] whip.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: I hope it's Saros that gets the love. Because Nashville, if they finish eighth overall, someone's going to get awarded with something, whether it's John Hines or Juuse Saros. And I think Saros clearly is the most-- you know, he's the one driving the results with Nashville more than anyone else. So I do hope that he's there for Vezina. I think he could be in the hard conversation, as well, if he keeps things up.

Mine's Ovie, with a caveat, though. He was my first half MVP, 41 games, right? He's now played 47 games, and he's tailed off a little bit, as you mentioned, Julian. So I'm going to switch my pick. It was a coin flip between him and Jonathan Huberdeau. I'm now with Jonathan Huberdeau, who's leading the juggernaut Florida Panthers. So started Ovie. Now I'm on Hubie's side.