Huberdeau thinks Matthews deserves Hart Trophy: 'He's special'

The Hart Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, but if Florida Panthers winger Jonathan Huberdeau had a say, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews would be atop his ballot.

"Matthews is having a great year, so I think I'd probably give it to him," Huberdeau told reporters ahead of Saturday's meeting between the Panthers and Maple Leafs.

Huberdeau added: "He's special. I had to chance to play (in the) All-Star Game with him. ... You give him the puck and he's going to score every time. Not a lot of guys can get close to 60 goals."

Matthews leads the league with 58 goals and ranks fifth with 102 points despite missing eight of his team's games this season. He was out for the last three games with an undisclosed injury, but he'll return Saturday where he'll have a chance to become the first player since Steven Stamkos in 2011-12 to reach the 60-goal mark.

"Hopefully, he doesn't get it tonight," Huberdeau laughed.

Huberdeau is no slouch himself. He sits first in the NHL with 83 assists and second with 113 points. However, Matthews is considered by many to be the front-runner for the Hart - not only for his goal-scoring ability, but also for his dominant two-way play.

It's shaping up to be a tight race, though. Connor McDavid, Johnny Gaudreau, Roman Josi, Cale Makar, and Igor Shesterkin all warrant consideration, too.