Kaprizov leads the league in scoring

[AKL]

It's pretty cool, he's very underrated because he hasn't historically had a ton of help around him. He won't finish #1 but it's cool to see him up there for now.

 

[BLNY]

He's Kirilling it.

 

[jackjohnson]

Is there an easier player in the league to root for than Kaprizov?

Quinn Hughes

 

[kp61c]

I feel like everybody forgot about Kaprizov last year, good for him to come back. I hope a Minnesota franchise of some sport can finally find success.

where did he come back from again? he was the best player on the team easily.

 

[Regal]

where did he come back from again? he was the best player on the team easily.

I think the slow start last year from not being 100% yet meant he was a bit ignored league-wide. He had a great second half but it wasn’t as noticeable because he took awhile to move back up the leaderboard.

 

[Zine]

And I remember he was still 17 yo, and nobody gave a f*** for him outside Russia. But in Russia he was considered a future superstar. And then they picked him in the 5th round, lol. With a pick they got from Boston for I don't remember who or what.

At 10:55 (below) Minnesota tells how their scouts first saw him. I'm amazed at the amateurism of NHL scouting sometimes.

 

[Acallabeth]

I remember an article where he was compared to Sergei Makarov. Pretty solid comparison, I'd say.

he was very highly regarded before the draft. The excitement for him in Minnesota was pretty immediate. It was always down to the when/if him leaving Russia that seemed to be reason for his drop.

I lived in the same region as Kaprizov during the dawn of his KHL career (so I watched most of his pre-draft KHL games), and I'm positive Kaprizov's hype was very modest compared to, say, Tarasenko. He was definitely not regarded as a future world class player. Maybe it's because he played in Novokuznetsk, but it wasn't until his D+1 and especially D+2 season (when he moved to powerhouse Salavat Yulaev) when people really started placing high expectations on Kirill.

 

[Regal]

Since the middle of January

Could see him have a year like Panarin last year

 

[ThatGuy22]

It's pretty cool, he's very underrated because he hasn't historically had a ton of help around him. He won't finish #1 but it's cool to see him up there for now.

He may not finish number 1, but it's completely within the realm of possibility he does. He usually has a slow start and than kicks into high gear the second half and finishes top 10.

That's not a player it's out of the question he finishes with the most points.

 

[AKL]

He may not finish number 1, but it's completely within the realm of possibility he does. He usually has a slow start and than kicks into high gear the second half and finishes top 10.

That's not a player it's out of the question he finishes with the most points.

I don't think it's out of the question, I just don't think he will. Realistically he's not the best player in the league, he still doesn't have a ton around him to help, and we're only 11% of the way through the season. Things will change from how they are now.

 

[BuiumSaveUs]

I think the Hart is more likely than the art ross

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Usually a pretty slow starter too.

 

[elmaco]

I don't think it's out of the question, I just don't think he will. Realistically he's not the best player in the league, he still doesn't have a ton around him to help, and we're only 11% of the way through the season. Things will change from how they are now.

You don't need to be the best player in the league, you need to have to best season. Do you think Jamie Benn was considered anywhere near the best player in the league when he won his Art Ross?

 

[rynryn]

KK definitely has the skill to lead the league in scoring; slow starts have traditionally hurt him but once he warms up he paces with all the usual scoring leaders.

 

[dalewood12]

He was my wild card pick for the Hart pre-season. Even if he finishes like fifth or sixth in scoring, if the Wild make the playoffs, I could sees a Taylor Hall-style win.

 

[TheOrganist]

His contract situation with Minnesota will be interesting. He’ll be what, 29 after his current deal runs out?…will slowly be exiting his prime yrs towards the middle of the deal and will obviously want huge $

 

[Chips]

Like 5 different players have led scoring so far, as it’s really early lol


He’s really great though, I remember he had more even strength points than McDavid a few years back, could have gone off if his team could put together a powerplay


Stone was also interesting leading the other day, Makar as well

 

[ThatGuy22]

Like 5 different players have led scoring so far, as it’s really early lol


He’s really great though, I remember he had more even strength points than McDavid a few years back, could have gone off if his team could put together a powerplay


Stone was also interesting leading the other day, Makar as well

Him and stone are/were at the time of posting tied, but Stone had played one more game

 

[RandV]

where did he come back from again? he was the best player on the team easily.

I plugged the numbers in one of the preseason threads on the basis that Minnesota was being undervalued. While he finished with 96 points last season it was something like 35 points in the first half and 60 points in the second half. Coincidentally, Minnesota had a very slow start to the season but finished quite strong.

 

[McFlash97]

He's looked incredible this year. Barring health i think he's winning the art ross

In a league where a 27 year old Connor McDavid plays North of 70 games, he's got no chance. Great start though.

 

[authentic]

Told you people that he would've had Kucherov numbers if he'd played with the same level of teammates as Kucherov. And he's not even doing that.

9 games is a little early to say told you though.

My bad he has been scoring very highly for quite a while now.

 

[authentic]

Since the middle of January

View attachment 923983


Could see him have a year like Panarin last year

Didn't realize he was scoring anywhere close to this rate, also scoring goals at the rate of Matthews yet close to the top point getters.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Gotta be the most underrated player out there, doing it all in relative obscurity in Minnesota no less

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

In a league where a 27 year old Connor McDavid plays North of 70 games, he's got no chance. Great start though.

Didn't that just happen last year though. He played 76. McDavid is incredible but he's not Gretzky or Lemieux where no one else has a chance.