from Michael Traikos of the National Post,

It’s not because of something nefarious. But in the minds of potential voters, his season is tainted. Call it guilt by association.

McDavid is ranked third in the Art Ross Trophy race with 84 points in 68 games. Since the All-Star break, he is tied for first in goals (18) and second in points (30). He’s having as good an offensive year as he did in 2017-18 when he finished with 100 points and won the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.

The problem is that while McDavid is having another MVP season, his team is having a forgettable one.

The Edmonton Oilers are not a playoff team. As of Monday, they weren’t even close. For this reason — and pretty much this reason alone — McDavid won’t come close to winning an award that by definition is awarded annually to the “player judged most valuable to his team.”

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