Toews is leading MVP candidate

Associated Press

Jonathan Toews has won a Stanley Cup and Olympic gold.

Only 23, the Chicago Blackhawks captain even has a Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP on his shelf, staking his claim as one of the top young stars in the NHL.

All that’s missing is the one piece of hardware that stamps him as the best in the game at any age: the Hart Trophy.

This could be the season Toews is recognized as the NHL MVP for his play in leading the Blackhawks to the top of the Western Conference entering Wednesday night’s games. He’s in the thick of the scoring race with 19 goals and 36 points and has emerged as the leading MVP candidate because of his playmaking and scoring.