Malkin Wins Hart Trophy as NHL MVP

Evgeni Malkin stands behind the three trophies he was awarded. (Bruce Bennett)

Evgeni Malkin is finally receiving the respect he deserves. Long overshadowed by teammate and fellow superstar Sydney Crosby, Malkin has been use to being more or less in the background. This season was not that way as Malkin arguably had the best season of his career, despite doing most of it without Crosby. Concussions limited Crosby to playing in only 22 games this season.

From training camp on throughout the regular season and playoffs, Malkin had a renewed determination about his play. After missing much of the latter part of the 2010-11 season due to knee surgery, he was ready to get out there and take on a more prominent role. The result was a regular season total of 109 points with 50 goals and 59 assists. That meant Malkin finished with the most points in the league, second most goals, and third most assists.

With the Stanley Cup well in the books, all hockey eyes turned Wednesday night to the NHL's Awards show. Malkin's season was so incredible that he not only won one trophy. Not even two. But three trophies total. First, he won the Hart Trophy, becoming the league's most valuable player for the first time. Second, Malkin won his second Art Ross Trophy as the league scoring champion. Third, he won the Ted Lindsay Award, which is the honor of best player in the league as determined by the NHLPA members. Malkin could hardly believe it. He stated, "It's the best day of my life. It's a pretty special day, and I'm very excited and nervous."

Did Malkin need these honors to earn his place among the best in the game? No, he did not. He had already won a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and an Art Ross Trophy. These trophies are merely confirmation of what is already widely known. The crazy thing about Malkin is that he turns just 26 years old next month. He is just beginning the prime of his career. Evgeni Malkin is one of the greatest hockey players in the world and should be for many years to come.