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Controversial MVP victors

Over the years, there have been many times when the MVP choice left hockey enthusiasts scratching their heads in bewilderment. Consider the 1999-2000 season when Chris Pronger of the St. Louis Blues clinched the Hart Trophy. A substantial portion of the hockey community thought that Jaromir Jagr, who delivered an outstanding performance with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was a more likely choice. As such, the choice ignited fervent debates among fans and pundits alike.

Divisive MVP selections

On certain occasions, the MVP selection has divided fans into fervent factions, each ardently advocating for their preferred nominee. An example of this unfolded during the 2017-2018 season when Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils secured the Hart Trophy. While Hall's season was undeniably impressive, there existed a faction of believers that argued Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche was the more worthy recipient. This decision sparked passionate discussions within the fan base, with both sides presenting their arguments with zeal and passion.

Overlooked MVP candidates

Instances abound where deserving MVP contenders have been overshadowed by their peers. A conspicuous illustration materialized in the 2005-2006 season when Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks claimed the Hart Trophy. While Thornton turned in a fantastic season, a segment of observers maintained that Jaromir Jagr, who had a stellar year with the New York Rangers, should have been the MVP. This decision left Jagr's admirers disheartened and raised questions about the selection process, not for the first time.

MVP surprises

Periodically, the MVP selection astonishes everyone by diverging entirely from expectations. An example of this is the 2010-2011 season when Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks emerged as the Hart Trophy recipient. Perry's season was undoubtedly remarkable, but most had anticipated that the award would go to Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks, who had performed equally well during the year. This unforeseen verdict left both fans and analysts taken aback, which just goes to show the unpredictability of the MVP selection procedure, even for those who are thoroughly engaged with the sport all season.

Controversial MVP choices

In some instances, MVP decisions have encountered widespread criticism and have been labeled as questionable. For example in the 1989-1990 season, Mark Messier of the Edmonton Oilers was selected for the Hart Trophy. While Messier undoubtedly had a great season, a considerable faction believed that Wayne Gretzky, who had an exceptional year with the Los Angeles Kings, should have been named MVP. This choice ignited controversy and led to widespread questioning of the voting process among many NHL fans.

Conclusion

The process of selecting the NHL MVP has perennially been a subject of debate and contention, almost every year, some people are disappointed as their favorites are passed over in favor of another athlete. However, from contentious victors to polarizing selections, NHL history boasts an array of memorable MVP decisions that stand out from the rest. While everybody may not always agree with these decisions, they contribute to the excitement and discourse surrounding the league. As the NHL continues to evolve, the future MVP selections promise to shape the narrative of the game in intriguing ways.