Certain media members tried to screw McDavid and Matthews by leaving them off their ballot

Since Frank Seravalli took over as President of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, a mandate of transparency was applied to its members to reveal their ballot choices for the NHL Awards, including the Hart and Calder Trophies. From this mandate, fans can hold writers accountable for their choices, and writers have the opportunity to defend their picks in public.

Unfortunately, this policy doesn't stop people from making intentionally obtuse choices on their ballot. This year, several members of the PHWA left Matthews and McDavid off their Hart Trophy ballot, and Pittsburgh Penguins writer Seth Rorabaugh actually left *both* superstars off his ballot. He has yet to offer an explanation.


In addition, a number of Western Canadian and Quebecois writers had Matthews off their ballots, or ranked fifth, causing questions of obvious bias in their ballots. After all, Matthews scored 62 goals in 73 games, and won recognition from his peers in winning the Ted Lindsay. A PHWA member having him off the ballot, or ranked fifth, has a smell of bias to it.


Prominently, Oilers' writer Mark Spector of Sportsnet had Matthews ranked fifth, and Guillame Lefrançois also had Matthews off his ballot.


Hopefully, in the coming days after the awards were handed out, these writers can explain their controversial picks to fans, other members of the media, and the players.