The Hart Trophy in the NHL goes to the league's best player during the NHL season and there are quite a few guys that could win it. We already know players like Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Steven Stamkos will be big candidates and you can throw in John Tavares too. Let's take a look at five players who aren't neccesarily favorites but could win the award.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

Kane was having an unbelievable season for the Blackhawks last year until he suffered an injury that would force him to miss the rest of the regular season. While he still won the Stanley Cup last season, he could've won the Art Ross trophy and the Hart Trophy along with it if he kept leading the league in points before he got injured. If he can do what he did last season and play the entire season, he will have a pretty good shot at winning the award which hasn't been won by a U.S born player in years.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

You may be a little shocked that I'm puting Malkin in here but it's for good reason. He really hasn't had a fully healthy season since he last won the Hart trophy in 2012 and he just hasn't put up the numbers to win the award since that season. Now a case could be made that Malkin is better when Crosby isn't playing which is why he won the award but this year could be a big year for Evgeni Malkin. He will be playing with Patric Hornqvist to start the season(who he's really good with) and possibly Phil Kessel. If he remains healthy and doesn't get hurt this season, he has a big opportunity to win some awards this year including the Hart.

Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

Jamie Benn surprised a lot of people last year when he won the Art Ross trophy for having the most points in the regular season. He also did it without one of the Stars' best players in Tyler Seguin. Now if Seguin stays healthy all year long next year, Benn will likely have an even better season for the Stars and could possibly lead them back into the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. No one should be surprised if he wins the Hart trophy next season after the season he just had and is only going to get better.

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

Getzlaf had a great year last year for the Ducks where he had 70 points and led his team to the Western Conference Finals against Chicago before they got eliminated in seven games. He may be a little out of his prime but he can still produce a lot of points and he could produce more this season with Corey Perry. He may not be a guy who people think can win the Hart, but if produces more than he did last year, I think he has a shot.

Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers

Voracek was the best player on the Flyers last season despite making the playoffs. He had 81 points last year for the Flyers which ranks in the top ten for the league in points. Playing with Claude Giroux certainly helped but he's now in the prime of his career and is only going to get better in the coming years. If the Flyers are to have any shot of making the playoffs this season, Voracek is going to have to equal or be even better. A Hart Trophy may be a long shot for Voracek but it certainly isn't out of the question.