With September just around the corner, hockey season is about to kick off.

The Vegas Golden Knights were in the spotlight during the playoffs, culminating in the Stanley Cup, which may be a bit disconcerting for some. Meanwhile, last June, Connor McDavid won the third Hart Trophy of his career, a situation that felt as intimate as putting on a warm sweater or sipping a pumpkin spice latte.

So what will the 2023-24 season bring? Who will win league MVP honors?

Each year, members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association vote for the player they believe is the most valuable to their team, an award known as the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Voters are asked to rank their top five players in their minds. The process is far more complicated than one might think, and the value depends not just on goals, points or saves, but also on the player's individual importance to the team. Even star players on the team can muddy the rankings.

In addition, attendance is crucial, and players cannot afford to miss too many games due to injury. Although the Hart Award is a regular season award, it is rarely given to a player who does not make the playoffs.https://www.solespotmall.com

With all of this in mind, let's go ahead and predict the five players who could be at the top of the rankings before the Hart Award ballots are revealed next April.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.
Not since Alex Ovechkin won two consecutive Hart Awards in 2008 and 2009 has a player achieved two consecutive honors. But Connor McDavid broke that record last season after a stellar performance in which he chipped in a career-high 153 points. Now, the 26-year-old is firmly ensconced as the best player in hockey. Not only are his numbers incredible, but his play always serves the team's goals. His leadership could take the Edmonton Oilers far, perhaps even towards the Stanley Cup.

Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers.
There are many other great players on the Florida Panthers, but the addition of Tkachuk brings a new dynamic to the team. Not only did his play elevate the team, but it also helped them make the playoffs and eventually make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. While the start of the new season may present some challenges, Tkachuk's impact will continue to be felt. If he can show the same strength again, he is expected to do even better in this year's Hart Trophy voting.

Kyle Makar, Colorado Avalanche.
In recent years, Nathan MacKinnon has been the Avalanche's representative in Hart Trophy voting. But now, Kyle Makar is coming into his own, having won multiple awards, including the Calder, Norris and Conn Smythe awards. His talent and hard work have made him a superstar, and he's becoming more and more important to the team. If he can stay healthy and keep performing at a high level, he is expected to be the favorite for the Hart Award.

Tiger Thompson, Buffalo Sabres.
Tiger Thompson's performance improved dramatically last season, jumping from 68 to 94 points, and he moved further up the voting rankings. If he can continue to do so and help the Sabres make the playoffs, he is expected to do even better in the Hart Award voting.

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs.
Winning the NHL Player of the Year two seasons in a row is not easy, and Auston Matthews is one of those examples. Although injury issues hampered his performance last season, there is no doubting his prowess. With the Maple Leafs resolving their financial issues, Matthews is expected to show great performance in the upcoming season in his quest for another Hart Award nomination.