Is Kucherov getting slighted for awards?

[I am not exposed]

Arguably could have been a Conn Smythe winner in 2021 leading playoff scoring by 9 points.
And today he lost out for both the Ted Lindsay and Hart award.

Considering his lead over other teammates this year, plus getting 100 assists, and having the most points in the league, he ends up empty handed.

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[MessierII]

I’d love to hear your argument for him winning the Conn Smythe

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Punishment for showing up drunk at the all star competition.

 

[Benneguin]

I’d love to hear your argument for him winning the Conn Smythe

He also wasn't there to pick it up, so maybe that makes him qualified?

 

[tabness]

media is full of Al Iafrate types I guess

 

[Jared Dunn]

I’d love to hear your argument for him winning the Conn Smythe

Assuming he means 2021 where Kuch led the playoffs in scoring by 9 points, not this season obvi


He definitely didn't do himself any favours at the All Star game, but are we really going to begrudge Mackinnon getting it this year? He had a monster year himself

 

[I am not exposed]

I’d love to hear your argument for him winning the Conn Smythe

I think the Hart this year is his best case. Just put the Smythe there as he lead his team twice in scoring. And with some very high numbers. Most since Malkin I believe. Although Hedman and Vasi were worthy winners each year.

 

[CupsOverCash]

but are we really going to begrudge Mackinnon getting it this year? He had a monster year himself

Kuch was better tho. Human flaw is we can be biased. I'd say this was country driven.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I think the Hart this year is his best case. Just put the Smythe there as he lead his team twice in scoring. And with some very high numbers. Most since Malkin I believe. Although Point and Vasi were worthy winners each year.

It was Hedman not Point that season, if it were Point after being clearly second fiddle to Kuch then we could really talk conspiracy lol

 

[MessierII]

I think the Hart this year is his best case. Just put the Smythe there as he lead his team twice in scoring. And with some very high numbers. Most since Malkin I believe. Although Point and Vasi were worthy winners each year.

I probably pick him for the hart this year personally

 

[Jared Dunn]

Kuch was better tho.

well, you've sure convinced me

 

[I am not exposed]

It was Hedman not Point that season, if it were Point after being clearly second fiddle to Kuch then we could really talk conspiracy lol

You're right. Edited.

 

[ViD]

Yes, he is

Should have 2 Harts and 1 Conn Smythe

 

[Canadian Game]

His peers voted for MacKinnon. I put more value in that than awards voted by the media, which the media voted the same for the Art Russ. Tough luck for Kucherov but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

 

[More 2004]

Surprised they didn't take his art ross too.

 

[pi314]

Hard to argue the Lindsay from players who actually play against them.

 

[NeverForget06]

It's all Taylor Hall's fault actually - his Hart should have gone to Mackinnon and then they wouldn't have felt obligated to give it to him this year (not that he wasn't deserving, but you can't tell me that didn't have some impact)

 

[Stephen]

He said it himself.

 

[blundluntman]

That's what happens when you don't give it your all in the skills competition. That oughta teach him a lesson

but yeah I thought he had a good argument for the Hart this year. I'd say it was more about giving Mackinnon some hardware finally than it was about slighting him. It happens.

 

[El Travo]

Why? Because a better player won the Lindsay/Hart?

 

[avalanche_country]

I guess empty net assists weren’t good enough.

The players voted MacK, that’s all you really need to know.

 

[HockeyFan100]

It turns out putting up game winning points matters a lot more than being a empty net points merchant.

 

[Nut Upstrom]

Nice to see those awards still have that anti Europeans thing going.

 

[22FUTON9]

Nice to see those awards still have that anti Europeans thing going.

Europeans have won 7 out of the past 17 hart trophies, I doubt there’s an “Anti European thing” going around

 

[Stephen]

It turns out putting up game winning points matters a lot more than being a empty net points merchant.

On the other hand you have to be trusted to be out there to nurse a lead with the net pulled, as you're essentially killing off a 6 on 5 penalty and can look like a fool if you concede that game tying goal. An EN goal also more or less ensures the W, so I wouldn't take anything away from piling on the numbers that way. Or anyone with 144 points.

But yeah, back on topic. You get the sense Kuch isn't the most popular guy out there, so it's less of a "Euro" thing and more of a Kuch thing.