The NHL selects players as its three stars each and every week of the season. I was wondering if this could provide us with some insight as to who the league’s most valuable player should be. It was not surprising to find that Alexander Ovechkin was chosen as the first star in three weeks. He was also selected as both a second and third star. Jarome Iginla fared very well, with two first star and one second and third star selections. Marian Gaborik had two first star and one third star selection to his name as did Vincent Lecavalier. Goaltenders Martin Brodeur and Evgeni Nabokov were each selected three times as second or third stars. However, Manny Legace takes the prize as the most decorated netminder as he was chosen twice as the league’s top player of the week. Jason Spezza and Ilya Kovalchuk were both multiple choices as league’s first star, while Evgeni Malkin, Roberto Luongo and Pavel Datsyuk each recorded a first and second star win.

Although it is by no means scientific, this analysis would suggest that Alexander Ovechkin and Jarome Iginla were the frontrunners for Hart Trophy honors.

For a complete list of winners click here: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=357287