Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[JimmyApples]

Not fair to MacK and McDavid that Kucherov gets to play the Leafs a few times a year

 

[SillyRabbit]

If Tampa passes the Leafs in the Atlantic, I think you gotta give Kucherov the Hart.

Especially if the Avs don't end up catching the Stars.

What Kucherov is doing from an individual effort standpoint is incredible.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Kuch is the MVP

 

[JukofYork]

Its too bad such a great player is such an unlikeable douche

 

[LordZapp]

Its too bad such a great player is such an unlikeable douche

Seems pretty likeable to me.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

Kucherov got a phantom assist on the Nick Paul goal. He did not touch that puck

 

[JFedol]

He still has a tremendous chance of winning, but If Kuch was a natural centre with the same production. he'd be leading this whole Hart Trophy Race with relative ease

On another thought, McDavid was held pointless by Dallas tonight

 

[BaconNater]

McDavid blanked by the last 2 good teams he played (avs and stars) I feel bad for the crappy teams he plays against next he will be out for blood(pp points)

 

[crowfish]

Kucherov got a phantom assist on the Nick Paul goal. He did not touch that puck

Kucherov is the king of easy points

 

[WarriorofTime]

Tough 0 for McDavid and the Oilers tonight.

McDavid has eight games left, compared to MacKinnon and Kucherov each with seven games left.

Kucherov at 130, MacKinnon at 127 and McDavid at 126. Coming right down to the wire.

 

[DFC]

Its too bad such a great player is such an unlikeable douche

Makes him even more popular with his fanbase.

 

[Dingo]

Kucherov got a phantom assist on the Nick Paul goal. He did not touch that puck

he chipped it onto his teammates' assist in the defensive zone at the start of the play.

lame assist, but it was one. I have seen him (and others) make some beautiful third assists recently that dont count, of course.

I feel that some of those, and guys who set screens, deserve assists more than what he did on his third point tonight, but.... letter of the law.

* rewatched it. its a weak one, for sure. But he checked Timmins and it went to the guy who aerialed it to Paul.

He still has a tremendous chance of winning, but If Kuch was a natural centre with the same production. he'd be leading this whole Hart Trophy Race with relative ease

On another thought, McDavid was held pointless by Dallas tonight

do you mean because of amount of puck touches/faceoff assists?

 

[JFedol]

do you mean because of amount of puck touches/faceoff assists?

Yeah pretty much. I think it would've occurred at some point to work on his draws maybe during the summer earlier in his career, but right now.....I feel like he'd be pacing for 150+ easily right now, and that McDavid season from last year would be looked slightly differently, but what tf do I know .

Nonetheless, This shit is honestly impressive for a winger, not saying we've haven't seen players of this similar caliber. But it's to have this much control of pace and dictate a teams entire offensive scheme. Not to mention smashing that all time assist record. Hart should be his to lose.

 

[Dingo]

Yeah pretty much. I think it would've occurred at some point to work on his draws maybe during the summer earlier in his career, but right now.....I feel like he'd be pacing for 150+ easily right now, and that McDavid season from last year would be looked slightly differently, but what tf do I know .

Nonetheless, This shit is honestly impressive for a winger, not saying we've haven't seen players of this similar caliber. But it's to have this much control of pace and dictate a teams entire offensive scheme. Not to mention smashing that all time assist record. Hart should be his to lose.

i feel like the last winger i saw control play and produce points to or above the level that he has over the last several years was Jagr. Jagr still likely a little better, but, that said, he didnt have a McDavid when he went on his Art Ross run, and he was also healthier.

Maybe Kane. A little ahead of prime Kane, and a little behind prime Jagr.

 

[Sky04]

Most assists ever by a winger (88), breaks the tie he formally had with Jagr at 87.

 

[ozzie]

This certainly changed everything pretty quickly, pretty much a gut punch there. Eventually people will recognize Kuch for what he is, an MVP. Dragging Tampa back to the playoffs, no small feat this year. No secondary 100 point super star player as a back up. I don't care if his a winger or center. I don't care what his nationality is. I know it's not over, but it's not looking good for Mcdavid.

 

[daver]

Yeah pretty much. I think it would've occurred at some point to work on his draws maybe during the summer earlier in his career, but right now.....I feel like he'd be pacing for 150+ easily right now, and that McDavid season from last year would be looked slightly differently, but what tf do I know .

Nonetheless, This shit is honestly impressive for a winger, not saying we've haven't seen players of this similar caliber. But it's to have this much control of pace and dictate a teams entire offensive scheme. Not to mention smashing that all time assist record. Hart should be his to lose.

You don't get more points by simply playing at C. He is an offensive-minded W who benefits from being free of the defensive responsibilities of a C while having the offense run through him.

Their numbers speak for themselves. You start playing the "what if" game and you start pages and pages of subjective opinions on hypothetical scenarios.

 

[TopShelfYzerman]

That Kucherov 3rd assist BTW


Ah yes, this backward pass to Raddysh while tangled up with 25 Timmins, clearly an assist to Kuch well deserved.

View attachment 845751

Toroto's #25 Timmons clearly touches the puck, negating Kucherov's secondary assist.

 

[Calderon]

McDavid blanked by the last 2 good teams he played (avs and stars) I feel bad for the crappy teams he plays against next he will be out for blood(pp points)

Doesn't bode well for the Oil's chances in the playoffs, the best teams being able to deny McDavid and the sharpest tip of the Oilers' offence.

 

[ijuka]

You don't get more points by simply playing at C.

NHL #30 C points: 62
NHL #30 LW points: 45
NHL #30 RW points: 42

You do get more points by simply playing at C. This is obvious with any basic logic. Just think about how a game of hockey is played and how the puck is expected to move.

 

[daver]

NHL #30 C points: 62
NHL #30 LW points: 45
NHL #30 RW points: 42

You do get more points by simply playing at C. This is obvious with any basic logic. Just think about how a game of hockey is played and how the puck is expected to move.

The best players get put at C. It's not some random thing. If Kucherov could be more effective at C, he would play C.

 

[Calderon]

Kucherov with the most assists in a season ever by a winger is a legit NHL record. I don't like the fella but that is a pretty major achievement that deserves recognition. Still has several games left to improve upon it by a good amount, too. Curious to see if there'll be a marked effort to get him all the way up to 100 assists now that their playoff berth is virtually sealed. If he manages to get into the 100 club that'd make McDavid's pursuit lose some of its value for sure.

Kucherov now 1-11—12 in his last 7 and has 7 games left to get 12 assists.

McDavid now 3-15—18 in his last 8 and has 8 games left. Three more assists will be a non-issue, other than that the AR race is on but we'll see if he'll seriously goes for it during the final stretch.

 

[RussianGuyovich]

The best players get put at C. It's not some random thing. If Kucherov could be more effective at C, he would play C.

"best players" is vague. do you want to try this post again and see if you can crystallize your thought more coherently?

i agree with the latter though. if kucherov was a better center he would play center. you really nailed that one.

 

[gimzo23]

As good as Kucherov is, prime Jagr's on-ice dominance was on a different level. The guy put up nearly 130 points during the height of the dead puck era and after Lemieux returned in his comeback season he put up 81 points in 45 games, also at the height of the dead puck era. I'd dare say no player today would be able to do so. Also, a guy like prime 66 wouldn't be denied in a Ross race against Kuch or MacKinnon. As great as they are.

 

[RussianGuyovich]

As good as Kucherov is, prime Jagr's on-ice dominance was on a different level. The guy put up nearly 130 points during the height of the dead puck era and after Lemieux returned in his comeback season he put up 81 points in 45 games, also at the height of the dead puck era. I'd dare say no player today would be able to do so. Also, a guy like prime 66 wouldn't be denied in a Ross race against Kuch or MacKinnon. As great as they are.

thank you for posting about jagr and #66! in the current 2024 art ross race thread. you really shouldered a load there.