When elite NHL prospects like Connor McDavid, Patrick Kane and Alex Ovechkin are selected #1 overall, the expectations are great, including the anticipation that they will soon become the league MVP. Those expectations are placed on those players when they take the ice for the first time. However, the Hart Trophy is one of the most difficult to win in any sport, so it doesn’t always work out immediately. With that in mind, we’ve shared the top five youngest NHL MVPs ever.

#1: Sidney Crosby, 2006-2007 (19 years old)

There are plenty of household names when it comes to the top five youngest NHL MVPs of all time, and that certainly makes sense. The ability to win the Hart Trophy so early in a career correlates to a successful career, and two teenagers top the list. Sidney Crosby is still one of the top skaters in the league today, and he won his first Hart Trophy in his second NHL season.

After being selected #1 overall in the 2005 NHL Draft, much was expected of the Canadian. He has since led the Pittsburgh Penguins to three Stanley Cup victories, and his 2006-2007 is still one of his best across nearly two decades. Crosby had an incredible 120 points, winning him his first of two Art Ross Trophies.

#2: Wayne Gretzky, 1979-87 (19-26 years old)

It wouldn’t be much fun if we listed out each of Gretzky’s MVP seasons, as he won it in each of his first eight seasons in the NHL. Nearly everything has been said about the Great One at this point, as even the most casual hockey fans know that he holds several records, some of which seem unbreakable.

His rookie season paved the way for him to record the most points in league history, as he racked up 137, making him one of the youngest NHL MVPs ever. Admittedly, that would turn out to be mild compared to his several seasons with over 200 points, but he hadn’t yet set that ridiculously high bar. It’s safe to say that it was well-deserved and foreshadowed what was to come.  

#3: Connor McDavid, 2016-17 (20 years old)

Connor McDavid is the modern-day skater who is often linked and compared to Gretzky. Selected #1 overall by the Edmonton Oilers, this time in 2015, he didn’t waste any time in proving the hype true. Outside of leading the franchise to multiple Stanley Cups like Gretzky, he has been everything fans expected and is one of the youngest NHL MVPs ever.

McDavid has won three MVPs and five Art Ross Trophies, winning both in the 2023/24 season. Not only were his 100 points the most in the NHL, but his plus-minus of +27 was better than each of the first MVP seasons for Crosby and Gretzky. Again, all that has eluded him is hoisting Lord Stanley.

#4: Eric Lindros, 1994-95 (21 years old)

Dating back to a skater who is no longer in the league brings us to Eric Lindros, who is iconic for the Philadelphia Flyers. He’s the one most fans think of when they think of the Flyers, and rightfully so. Lindros spent eight seasons with the Flyers, winning the Hart Trophy in his third year and joining our list of the youngest NHL MVPs ever.

This was a shortened NHL season, so the numbers aren’t quite as insane at first glance, but Lindros’ 70 points were tied with Jaromir Jagr for the most that year. Like McDavid, he also recorded a plus-minus of +27, and similarly to the Oilers star, he never hoisted the Stanley Cup. Lindros and Flyers lost to the eventual champion New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals.

#5: Bobby Orr, 1969-70 (21 years old)

Conversely, the Boston Bruins were able to not only win the Eastern Conference Finals in 1969-70 but win the Stanley Cup. That incredible season was led by the great Bobby Orr, who recorded 120 points that year. As if that wasn’t enough, his plus-minus of +54 is as good as it gets outside Gretzky.

The Bruins swept the Stanley Cup Final that season, and Bobby Orr also won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the playoff MVP.  He is regarded as the best defenseman to ever lace up skates, and it’s difficult to argue against. Whether that’s your stance or not, winning an MVP at just 21 years old is extremely impressive.