Reevaluating the Hart Part 4: Expansion to Merger

In Part 4 of our series on Hart Trophy winners, we focus on the years between the expansion of the NHL to 12 teams in 1967-68 and the merger with the WHA in 1979.

1979 – Bryan Trottier, C, Islanders (1st)

• Best Player by PPG: Bryan Trottier (1.76 PPG, 134P, 13.6 PS)
• Art Ross: Bryan Trottier
• MVS by PS: Denis Potvin (15.9 PS, 101P)
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: Denis Potvin [Technically no MVS by standings. Again, every team in the Patrick made the playoffs]
  • MVF by PS: Mike Bossy (14.1 PS, 126 P)
  • MVF by OPS: Mike Bossy
  • MVD by DPS: Denis Potvin (+71)
• MVG: Ken Dryden (12.1 PS, 30-10-7, .909 SV%, 2.3 GAA, 32 GSAA, 5 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Islanders)
  • by Points: Bryan Trottier
  • by MVS by PS: Denis Potvin
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Islanders)
  • by Points: Bryan Trottier
  • by OPS: Mike Bossy
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Canadiens)
  • (skater) by PS: Guy Lafleur (13.4 PS, 129P)
  • by DPS: Serge Savard (8.3 PS, 33P, +47)
  • by GPS: Ken Dryden
• Lindsay (Pearson): Marcel Dionne (130P, 13.3 PS)
• Norris: Denis Potvin
• Selke: Bob Gainey (38P, +12, 2.4 PS)
• Vezina:
  • Ken Dryden
  • Michel Larocque (22-7-4, .888 SV%, 2.84 GAA, 5 GSAA, 3 SO)

Best Player Race

Player	Team	GP	Goals	A	Points	GC	PS	GPG	APG	PPG	GCPG	PSPG	Hart	L
Bossy	Islanders	80	69	57	126	52	14.1	0.86	0.71	1.58	0.65	0.18	7th	No
Dionne	Kings	80	59	71	130	51	13.3	0.74	0.89	1.63	0.64	0.17	3rd	Yes
Lafleur	Canadiens	80	52	77	129	50	13.4	0.65	0.96	1.61	0.63	0.17	2nd	No
Potvin	Islanders	73	31	70	101	35	15.9	0.42	0.96	1.38	0.48	0.22	4th	No
Trottier	Islanders	76	47	87	134	49	13.6	0.62	1.14	1.76	0.64	0.18	Yes	No

Voting Breakdown:

1. Trottier: 43.79% total vote points
2. Lafleur: 18.3% total vote points
3. Dionne: 10.24% total vote points
4. Potvin: 10.02% total vote points
5. Mike Palmateer: 3.92%

Verdict

Fine

1978 – Guy Lafleur (2nd), RW, Canadiens (1st)

• Best Player by PPG: Guy Lafleur (1.69 PPG, 132P, 15.8 PS)
• Art Ross: Guy Lafleur
• MVS by PS: Guy Lafleur
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: Barry Beck (8.4PS, 60P) [Confusing this year as entire Patrick division made the playoffs, we guess because the Smythe was so awful or something]
  • MVF by OPS: Guy Lafleur
  • MVD by PS: Denis Potvin (15.4 PS, 94P)
  • MVD by DPS: Larry Robinson (12.5 PS, 65P, +71)
• MVG: Don Edwards (15.3 PS, 38-16-17, .906 SV%, 2.64 GAA, 34 GSAA, 5 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Canadiens)
  • by Points: Guy Lafleur
  • by MVS by PS: Guy Lafleur
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Canadiens)
  • by Points: Guy Lafleur
  • by OPS: Guy Lafleur
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Canadiens)
  • (skater) by PS: Guy Lafleur
  • by DPS: Larry Robinson
  • by GPS: Ken Dryden (13.7 PS, 37-7-7, .922 SV%, 2.05 GAA, 44 GSAA, 5 SO)
• Lindsay (Pearson): Guy Lafleur
• Norris: Denis Potvin
• Selke: Bob Gainey (31P, +11, 1.9 PS)
• Vezina:
  • Ken Dryden
  • Michel Larocque (22-3-4, .895 SV%, 2.67 GAA, 5 GSAA, 1 SO)

Lafleur has an even better case this season.

Voting:

[no places]

1. Lafleur: 30.66%
2. Bryan Trottier: 20.93%
3. Darryl Sittler: 14.16%
4. Edwards: 7.19%
5. Brad Park: 6.55%

Verdict

Good

1977 – Guy Lafleur, RW, Canadiens (1st [record])

• Best Player by PPG: Guy Lafleur (1.7 PPG, 136P, 15.7 PS)
• Art Ross: Guy Lafleur
• MVS by PS: Larry Robinson (16.9 PS, 85P
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: 
    • (division) Tim Young (7.3 PS, 95P)
    • (league-wide) Marcel Dionne (12.8 PS, 122P)
  • MVF by PS: Guy Lafleur
  • MVF by OPS: Guy Lafleur
• MVD by DPS: Larry Robinson (+120)
• MVG: Ken Dryden (14.3 PS, 41-6-8, .920 SV%, 2.14 GAA, 42 GSAA, 10 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Canadiens)
  • by Points: Guy Lafleur
  • by MVS by PS: Larry Robinson
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Canadiens)
  • by Points: Guy Lafleur
  • by OPS: Guy Lafleur
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Canadiens)
  • (skater) by PS: Larry Robinson
  • by DPS: Larry Robinson
  • by GPS: Ken Dryden
• Lindsay (Pearson): Guy Lafleur
• Norris: Larry Robinson
• Vezina:
  • Ken Dryden
  • Michel Larocque (19-2-4, .911 SV%, 2.09 GAA, 12 GSAA, 4 SO, 6.8 PS)

We would not have been opposed to Larry Robinson either, but this feels obvious.

Voting:

1. Lafleur: 38.56%
2. Bobby Clarke: 18.08%
3. Rogie Vachon: 9.8%
4. Borje Salming: 8.71%
5. Robinson: 6.1%
6. [tie] Marcel Dionne: 6.1%

Verdict:

Fine. Good!

1976 – Bobby Clarke (3rd), C, Flyers (2nd)

• Best Player by PPG: Bobby Clarke (1.57 PPG, 119P, 11.7 PS)
• Art Ross: Guy Lafleur (125P, 13.8 PS)
• MVS by PS: Denis Potvin (14.3 PS, 98P)
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: 
    • (by division) Denis Potvin [No real MVS by standings]
    • (league-wide) Chuck Lefley (8.6 PS, 85P)
  • MVF by PS: Guy Lafleur
  • MVF by OPS: Guy Lafleur
  • MVD by DPS: Guy Lapointe (13.3 PS, 68P, +64)
• MVG: Ken Dryden (16.5 PS, 42-10-8, .927 SV%, 2.03 GAA, 61 GSAA, 8 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Canadiens [record])
  • by Points: Guy Lafleur
  • by MVS by PS: Guy Lafleur
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Flyers)
  • by Points: Bobby Clarke
  • by OPS: Bill Barber (12.3 PS, 112P)
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Canadiens)
  • (skater) by PS: Guy Lafleur
  • by DPS: Guy Lapointe
  • by GPS: Ken Dryden
• Lindsay (Pearson): Guy Lafleur
• Norris: Denis Potvin
• Vezina: Ken Dryden

On the one hand, this seems like the most definitive Clarke Hart yet. On the other hand, we’re not quite sure how this wasn’t given to Guy Lafleur.

Best Player Race

Player	Team	Games	Goals	A	Points	GC	PS	GPG	APG	PPG	GCPG	PSPG	Hart	Lindsay
Clarke	Flyers	76	30	89	119	41	11.7	0.39	1.17	1.57	0.54	0.15	Yes	No
Lafleur	Canadiens	80	56	69	125	50	13.8	0.70	0.86	1.56	0.63	0.17	3rd	Yes
Leach	Flyers	80	61	30	91	42	11.4	0.76	0.38	1.14	0.53	0.14	No	No
Potvin	Islanders	78	31	67	98	35	14.3	0.40	0.86	1.26	0.45	0.18	2nd	No

Voting:

[no places]

1. Clarke: 52.23%
2. Potvin: 15.92%
3. Lafleur: 13.16%
4. Dryden: 6.16%
5. Brad Park: 3.18%

Verdict

A touch controversial.

1975 – Bobby Clarke (2nd), C, Flyers (t-1st in Points, 3rd in SRS)

• Best Player by PPG: Guy Lafleur (1.7 PPG, 119P, 12.9 PS)
• Art Ross: Bobby Orr (135P, 21.5 PS)
• MVS by PS: Bobby Orr
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: 
    • (by division) Rod Gilbert (8.5 PS, 97P)
  • MVF by PS: Phil Esposito (13.2 PS, 127P)
  • MVF by OPS: [Bobby Orr] Phil Espostio
  • MVD by DPS: Bobby Orr (+80)
• MVG: Bernie Parent (18.6 PS, 44-14-9, .918 SV%, 2.04 GAA, 47 GSAA, 12 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Flyers)
  • by Points: Bobby Clarke (116P, 11.2 PS)
  • by MVS by PS: Bobby Clarke
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Canadiens)
  • by Points: Guy Lafleur
  • by OPS: Guy Lafleur
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Flyers)
  • (skater) by PS: Bobby Clarke
  • by DPS: 
    • Andre Dupont (8.4 PS, 32, +41)
    • Joe Watson (7.3 PS, 23P, +42)
  • by GPS: Bernie Parent
• Lindsay (Pearson): Bobby Orr
• Norris: Bobby Orr
• Vezina: Bernie Parent

Much less absurd than Clarke’s first win, this is a classic test case of “Best Player on Best Team” vs. “Best Player.” Bobby Orr was clearly the best player in the league. Bobby Clarke was the best skater on one of the three best teams. (Lafleur and even Perreault had cases this year too.)

Best Player Race

Player	Team	GP	G	Assists	Points	GC	PS	GPG	APG	PPG	GCPG	PSPG	Hart	L
Clarke	Flyers	80	27	89	116	40	11.2	0.34	1.11	1.45	0.50	0.14	Yes	No
Esposito	Bruins	79	61	66	127	52	13.2	0.77	0.84	1.61	0.66	0.17	No	No
Lafleur	Canadiens	70	53	66	119	48	12.9	0.76	0.94	1.70	0.69	0.18	5th	No
Orr	Bruins	80	46	89	135	50	21.5	0.58	1.11	1.69	0.63	0.27	3rd	Yes

Voting:

1. Clarke: 27.14%
2. Rogie Vachon: 24.15%
3. Orr: 15.6%
4. Parent: 11.54%
5. Lafleur: 9.19%

Verdict

Barely controversial.

1974 – Phil Esposito (2nd), C, Bruins (1st)

• Best Player by PPG: Phil Esposito (1.86 PPG, 145P, 17 PS)
• Art Ross: Phil Esposito
• MVS by PS: Bobby Orr (19.4 PS, 122P)
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: Bobby Orr [No true MVS by standings]
  • MVF by PS: Phil Esposito
  • MVF by OPS: Phil Esposito
  • MVD by DPS: Bobby Orr (+84)
• MVG: Bernie Parent (19.9 PS, 47-13-12, .932 SV%, 1.89 GAA, 73 GSAA, 12 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Bruins)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by MVS by PS: Bobby Orr
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Bruins)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by OPS: Phil Esposito
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Black Hawks, Flyers)
  • (skater) by PS: 
    • Dick Redmond (11.3 PS, 59P)
    • Bobby Clarke (9.1 PS, 113P)
  • by DPS: 
    • Phil Russell (9.9 PS, 35P, +47)
    • Barry Ashbee (7.5 PS, 17P, +53)
  • by GPS: 
    • Tony Esposito (18.2 PS, 34-14-21, .929 SV%, 2.05 GAA, 65 GSAA, 10 SO)
    • Bernie Parent
• Lindsay (Pearson): Phil Esposito
• Norris: Bobby Orr
• Vezina: 
  • Tony Esposito
  • Bernie Parent

We wish the voters would stop moving the goalposts.

Best Player Race

Player	Team	GP	Goals	Assists	Points	GC	PS	GPG	APG	PPG	GCPG	PSPG	Hart	Lindsay
Esposito	Bruins	78	68	77	145	59	17	0.87	0.99	1.86	0.76	0.22	Yes	Yes
Orr	Bruins	74	32	90	122	42	19.4	0.43	1.22	1.65	0.57	0.26	3rd	No

Voting:

[no place votes]

1. Phil Esposito: 34/49%
2. Parent: 26.39%
3. Orr: 16.9%
4. Clarke: 12.5%
5. Tony Esposito`

Verdict:

Fine. Good!

1973 – Bobby Clarke, C, Flyers (7th by points [t-2nd in their division], 6th by SRS)

• Best Player by PPG: Phil Esposito (1.67 PPG, 130P, 13.1 PS)
• Art Ross: Phil Esposito
• MVS by PS: Bobby Orr (15.6 PS, 101P)
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: Garry Unger (8 PS, 80P)
  • MVF by PS: Phil Esposito
  • MVF by OPS: Phil Esposito
  • MVD by DPS: Serge Savard (9.8 PS, +70)
• MVG: Ken Dryden (13.2 PS, 33-7-13, .926 SV%, 2.26 GAA, 49 GSAA, 6 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Canadiens)
  • by Points: Jacques Lemaire (95P, 10.9 PS)
  • by MVS by PS: Guy Lapointe (11.1 PS, 54P)
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Bruins, by 1 goal)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by OPS: Phil Esposito
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Canadiens)
  • (skater) by PS: Guy Lapointe
  • by DPS: Serger Savard
  • by GPS: Ken Dryden
• Lindsay (Pearson): Bobby Clarke (101P, 10.3 PS)
• Norris: Bobby Orr
• Vezina: Ken Dryden

This feels like a fatigue award; it was clearly between Espo and Orr yet again and the voters were tired. Still, Lemaire or Lapointe would have been better choices than Clarke too, given that they were the best players on the best team in the league. 

Clarke was:

• Not in the Top 5 in Goals
• Not in the Top 10 in GPG
• 3rd in Assists
• 4th in APG
• 2nd in Points
• 4th in PPG
• 4th in Goals Created
• 7th in GCPG
• Not in the Top 5 in Plus/Minus
• 6th in Offensive Point Shares
• 10th in Point Shares

And by point shares he was not the best player on his team, which was only the 6th or 7th best team in the league.

Best Player Race

Player	Team	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	GC	PS	GPG	APG	PPG	GCPG	PSPG	Hart	L
Esposito	Bruins	78	55	75	130	50	13.1	0.71	0.96	1.67	0.64	0.17	2nd	No
Clarke	Flyers	78	37	67	104	39	10.3	0.47	0.86	1.33	0.50	0.13	Yes	Yes
Macleish	Flyers	78	50	50	100	42	10.5	0.64	0.64	1.28	0.54	0.13	No	No
Orr	Bruins	63	29	72	101	35	15.6	0.46	1.14	1.60	0.56	0.25	3rd	No

Voting:

[no place votes]

1. Clarke: 37.71%
2. Esposito: 22.91%
3. Orr: 15.04%
4. Dryden: 12.65%
5. Gilbert Perreault: 5.96%

Verdict

Not great, Bob.

1972 – Bobby Orr (3rd), D, Bruins (1st)

• Best Player by PPG: Phil Esposito (1.75 PPG, 133P, 16.7 PS)
• Art Ross: Phil Esposito
• MVS by PS: Bobby Orr (20.1 PS, 117 P)
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: Garry Unger (7.4 PS, 70P)
  • MVF by PS: Phil Esposito
  • MVF by OPS: Phil Esposito
  • MVD by DPS: Bobby Orr (+83)
• MVG: Ken Dryden (15 PS, 39-8-15, .930 SV%, 2.24 GAA, 56 GSAA, 8 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Bruins)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by MVS by PS: Bobby Orr
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Bruins)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by OPS: Phil Esposito
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Black Hawks)
  • (skater) by PS: Bobby Hull (12.2 PS, 93P)
  • by DPS: Keith Magnuson (8 PS, 21P, +50)
  • by GPS: Tony Esposito (13 PS, 31-10-6, .934 SV%, 1.77 GAA, 39 GSAA, 9 SO)
• Lindsay (Pearson): Jean Ratelle (109P, 13.6 PS
• Norris: Bobby Orr
• Vezina:
  • Tony Esposito
  • Gary Smith (14-5-6, .911 SV%, 2.42 GAA, 6 GSAA, 5 SO)

Best Player Race

Player	Team	GP	Goals	A	Points	GC	PS	GPG	APG	PPG	GCPG	PSPG	Hart	L
Esposito	Bruins	76	66	67	133	54	16.7	0.87	0.88	1.75	0.71	0.22	3rd	No
Orr	Bruins	76	37	80	117	42	20.1	0.49	1.05	1.54	0.55	0.26	Yes	No
Ratelle	Rangers	63	46	63	109	42	13.6	0.73	1.00	1.73	0.67	0.22	4th	Yes

Voting:

[No place votes]

1. Orr: 33.16%
2. Dryden: 23.42%
3. Phil Esposito: 15%
4. Ratelle: 14.47%
5. Vic Hadfield: 4.74%

Verdict:

Good

1971 – Bobby Orr (2nd), D, Bruins (1st [record])

• Best Player by PPG: Phil Esposito (1.95 PPG, 152P [record], 18.5 PS)
• Art Ross: Phil Esposito
• MVS by PS: Bobby Orr (22.8 PS [record], 139P)
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: Bobby Orr [Technically no MVS by standings for usual reasons]
  • MVF by PS: Phil Esposito
  • MVF by OPS: Phil Esposito
  • MVD by DPS: Bobby Orr (+124)
• MVG: Tony Esposito (13.2 PS, 35-14-7, .919 SV%, 2.27 GAA, 24 GSAA, 6 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Bruins)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by MVS by PS: Bobby Orr
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Bruins, by over 100 goals)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by OPS: Phil Esposito
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Rangers)
  • (skater) by PS: Brad Park (8.7 PS, 44P, +26)
  • by DPS: Jim Neilson (8.4 PS, 32P, +31)
  • by GPS: Ed Giacomin (11 PS, 27-10-7, .922 SV%, 2.16 GAA, 23, GSAA, 8 SO)
• Lindsay (Pearson): Phil Esposito
• Norris: Bobby Orr
• Vezina:
  • Ed Giacomin
  • Gilles Villemure (8 PS, 22-8-4, .919 SV%, 2.3 GAA, 15 GSAA, 4 SO)

The Bruins scored the most goals by an NHL team in a single season ever this season, over 100 more than the next highest scoring team that season. That might make a case for Espo, given that he scored more points than Orr. But we can’t talk ourselves into that.

Best Player Race

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Points	GC	PS	GPG	APG	PPG	GCPG	PSPG	Hart	L
Esposito	Bruins	78	76	76	152	61	18.5	0.97	0.97	1.95	0.78	0.24	2nd	Yes
Orr	Bruins	78	37	102	139	47	22.8	0.47	1.31	1.78	0.60	0.29	Yes	No

Voting:

[Again, no place votes]

1. Orr: 39.95% total vote points
2. Phil Esposito: 33.6% total vote points
3. Bobby Hull: 7.41% total vote points
4. Dave Keon: 5.29% total vote points
5. Jacques Plante: 4.23% total vote points

Verdict

Fine

1970 – Bobby Orr, D, Bruins (t-1st by points, 2nd by SRS)

• Best Player by PPG: Bobby Orr (1.58 PPG, 120P, 19.5 PS [record])
• Art Ross: Bobby Orr
• MVS by PS: Bobby Orr
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: Bobby Orr
  • MVF by PS: Phil Esposito (11.4 PS, 99P)
  • MVF by OPS: [Orr] Phil Esposito
  • MVD by PS: Bobby Orr (+54)
• MVD by DPS: Keith Magnuson (7.8 PS, 24P, +38)
• MVG: Ed Giacomin (35-21-14, .916 SV%, 2.36 GAA, 8 GSAA, 6 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Black Hawks, Bruins)
  • by Points: 
    • Stan Mikita (86P, 10.2 PS)
    • Bobby Orr
  • by MVS by PS: 
    • Stan Mikita
    • Bobby Orr (Bruins)
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Bruins)
  • by Points: Bobby Orr
  • by OPS: Bobby Orr
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Black Hawks)
  • (skater) by PS: Stan Mikita
  • by DPS: Keith Magnuson
  • by GPS: Tony Esposito (38-17-8, .932 SV%, 2.17 GAA, 40 GSAA, 15 SO)
• Norris: Bobby Orr
• Vezina: Tony Esposito

We think that, had a D won the Art Ross on the best or second best team in the league, and not won the Hart, it would be one of the All Time boondoggles.

Voting:

[Again, no places available]

1. Orr: 48.15% total vote points
2. Tony Esposito: 33.95% total vote points
3. Red Berenson: 3.7% total vote points
4. Mikita: 3.4% total vote points
5. Brad Park: 2.16% total vote points

Verdict:

Good, though we’re biased.

1969 – Phil Esposito, C, Bruins (2nd by points, 1st by SRS)

• Best Player by PPG: Phil Esposito (1.7 PPG, 126P [record], 15.1 PS)
• Art Ross: Phil Esposito
• MVS by PS: Phil Esposito
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: Jim Neilson (9 PS, 44P)
  • MVF by OPS: Phil Esposito
  • MVD by PS: Bobby Orr (12.4 PS, 64P, +55)
  • MVD by DPS: Gary Bergman (37P, +44)
• MVG: Ed Giacomin (13.9 PS, 38-23-7, .911 SV%, 2.56 GAA, 6 GSAA, 7 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Canadiens [record?])
  • by Points: Yvan Cournoyer (87P, 10 PS)
  • by MVS by PS: Yvan Cournoyer
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Bruins)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by OPS: Phil Esposito
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Blues)
  • (skater) by PS: Red Berenson (9.3 PS, 82P)
  • by DPS: Barclay Plager (8.2 PS, 30P, +32P)
  • by GPS: Glenn Hall (9.4 PS, 19-12-8, .928 SV%, 2.17 GAA, 24 GSAA, 8 SO)
• Norris: Bobby Orr
• Vezina:
  • Glenn Hall
  • Jacques Plante (18-12-6, .940 SV%, 1.96 GAA, 38 GSAA, 5 SO)

This seems pretty open and shut.

Voting:

[No place votes available]

1. Esposito: 42.63% total vote points
2. Jean Beliveau: 15.06% total vote points
3. Orr: 14.1% total vote points
4. Berenson: 12.18% total points
5. Gordie Howe: 3.85% total vote points
6. [tie for 5th] Bobby Hull: 3.85% total vote points

Verdict

Good

1968 – Stan Mikita (2nd), C, Black Hawks (4th by points, 5th by SRS)

• Best Player by PPG: Stan Mikita (1.21 PPG, 87P, 10 PS)
• Art Ross: Stan Mikita
• MVS by PS: Stan Mikita
  • MVS by PS factoring in playoffs: 
    • Phil Esposito (9.4 PS, 84P)
  • MVF by OPS: Stan Mikita
  • MVD by PS: Mike McMahon (9.1 PS, 47P, -14)
  • MVD by DPS: J.C. Tremblay (8.2 PS, 30P, +29)
• MVG: Ed Giacomin (12.9 PS, 36-20-10, .915 SV%, 2.44 GAA, 10 GSAA, 8 SO)
• Best Player on Best Team (Canadiens)
  • by Points: Jean Beliveau (68P, 8.7 PS)
  • by MVS by PS: Jean Beliveau
• Best Player on Best Offensive Team (Bruins)
  • by Points: Phil Esposito
  • by OPS: Phil Esposito
• Best Player on Best Defensive Team (Canadiens)
  • (skater) by PS: Jean Beliveau
  • by DPS: JC Tremblay
  • by GPS: Gump Worsley (9 PS, 21-7-8, .922 SV%, 1.98 GAA, 12 GSAA, 6 SO)
• Norris: Bobby Orr (6.7 PS, 31P, +28)
• Vezina:
  • Rogie Vachon (7.1 PS, 21-15-2, .913 SV%, 2.48 GAA, 4 GSAA, 4 SO)
  • Gump Worsley

Voting:

1. Mikita: 34 first place votes; 30.23% total vote points
2. Beliveau: 4 first place votes; 25% total vote points
3. Bobby Hull: 32 first place votes; 18.6% total vote points
4. Orr: 29 first place votes; 16.86% total vote points
5. Gordie Howe: 4 first place votes; 9.3% total vote points

Verdict:

If Mikita deserved to win it in 1967 he probably deserved to win it more in 1968.