Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[WetcoastOrca]

Man, I kind of feel sorry for Mac if he loses this art ross. He has needed some individual hardware to round out his resume, but it could get stolen away.

Stolen! Some one call the police!

 

[Coffey]

Is EN merchant the new PP merchant?

You’ll never see any great player get the respect he deserves on this site. Such is life and the way of the forums.

Ah well.

 

[Regal]

He had chances to go to the bench, but since is actively trying to stay on the ice as long as possible with the empty net, he chose not to. Were you not aware he was doing this?

You can’t be sure what he’s being told or not by the coaches. Hedman and Raddysh I’m pretty sure were both also out for crazy long shifts each around then too

 

[Richardbro]

This is one of the best art ross races ever... very entertaining. Happy with any of the 3 winning. What's crazy is, whoever wins will probably get 3 trophies (Art ross, Hart and Lindsay). So high stakes for sure.

 

[JoeSakic13]

This is one of the best art ross races ever... very entertaining. Happy with any of the 3 winning. What's crazy is, whoever wins will probably get 3 trophies (Art ross, Hart and Lindsay). So high stakes for sure.

I disagree. I think this will be one of the years where the Lindsay will go to a different guy.

That being said though, I feel you are right on the Art Ross/Hart. Which is unfortunate as I honestly feel the winner (if you’re going off the most valuable to his teams success) should be Kucherov.

The Avs and Oilers would be far weaker teams without MacKinnon and McDavid, but I’d argue that Tampa isn’t even a playoff team without Kucherov’s heroics this year.

 

[DrDangles]

Kuch has by far the easiest schedule remaining while McDavid has games in hand and a few gimme games himself.

If Mack pulls this off he deserves the Hart and Lindsay in tow.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Kuch has by far the easiest schedule remaining while McDavid has games in hand and a few gimme games himself.

If Mack pulls this off he deserves the Hart and Lindsay in tow.

If Kuch has an easier schedule remaining then Mack has already had his easy games and Kuch has played the tougher games already. I don’t see that as an argument in Mack’s favour. The same with McDavid playing fewer games so far.

 

[Stammertime91]

Kucherov had 3 east coast points.
Kucherov had 1 empty net point.
Kucherov said "f***" after his first point.

Therefore, McDavid and MacKinnon have now been awarded 16 points each, with Kucherov now sitting at 29 non-East Coast, Smiling, Goalie in the net points for the season. Try harder next time.

 

[Sky04]

If Kuch has an easier schedule remaining then Mack has already had his easy games and Kuch has played the tougher games already. I don’t see that as an argument in Mack’s favour. The same with McDavid playing fewer games so far.

I'm all for the Ross winner taking the Hart if it's this close. Better argument than "he's due" for Mackinnon.

 

[olli]

Or when you stay out to try and farm cheap points like what Kucherov has been doing.

Watch him strip the puck from the Montreal player then pass it Stamkos then say that again lol

 

[olli]

I disagree. I think this will be one of the years where the Lindsay will go to a different guy.

That being said though, I feel you are right on the Art Ross/Hart. Which is unfortunate as I honestly feel the winner (if you’re going off the most valuable to his teams success) should be Kucherov.

The Avs and Oilers would be far weaker teams without MacKinnon and McDavid, but I’d argue that Tampa isn’t even a playoff team without Kucherov’s heroics this year.

There’s an argument to be made that all 3 of those teams would be out of the playoffs without their guys but Tampa would definitely be lowest in the standings by a good amount.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Let’s not pretend that McDavid and Mack haven’t had similar shifts.

Dude has probably a McDavid duvet cover.

This McDavid fanboy in here is terribly annoying.

 

[crowfish]

Let’s not pretend that McDavid and Mack haven’t had similar shifts.

He doesn't tho lol. McDavid doesn't go on the ice with the intention of padding his stats blatantly like Kucherov. Go look up the play from the other day where he literally cherry-picked in the neutral zone with his team having only a 1 goal lead.

I love how triggered people are that I am calling it out though lol

 

[Dingo]

Kucherov had 3 east coast points.
Kucherov had 1 empty net point.
Kucherov said "f***" after his first point.

Therefore, McDavid and MacKinnon have now been awarded 16 points each, with Kucherov now sitting at 29 non-East Coast, Smiling, Goalie in the net points for the season. Try harder next time.

50 points to Gryffyndor!!

 

[LightningStrikes]

He doesn't tho lol. McDavid doesn't go on the ice with the intention of padding his stats blatantly like Kucherov. Go look up the play from the other day where he literally cherry-picked in the neutral zone with his team having only a 1 goal lead.

I love how triggered people are that I am calling it out though lol

So you’re telling me McD is not trying to close out the game and score on the empty net? It’s not blatantly padding individual stats it’s securing the win.

It’s the coach’s decision in Tampa to have Kuch hang low and be the first (and only) option to get a breakout pass and a chance to guarantee the win via ENG. And why should we blame ‘em, he is the best option period (best stick handler, passer on the team). It’s a much better strategy to have that threat on the ice, the attacking team needs to adjust accordingly which opens up the ice a bit more. We have tried the shell, solely focusing on holding the lead and just defend. Having Kuch do what he does is the smarter and more effective way.

Maybe Knoblauch and Bednar can still learn something from Cooper.

 

[daver]

Empty net points are the new faceoff assist points.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

He doesn't tho lol. McDavid doesn't go on the ice with the intention of padding his stats blatantly like Kucherov. Go look up the play from the other day where he literally cherry-picked in the neutral zone with his team having only a 1 goal lead.

I love how triggered people are that I am calling it out though lol

McDavid doesn’t try to pad his stats?
Stop it bud you’re killing me here.

 

[Dingo]

so much emotional damage on display itt. still a good chance he doesnt even win. like, holy. chill out. McD has FIVE Rosses. He will be ok.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Where on the doll did McDavid hurt you

Dont be mad its a fact

 

[Super Hans]

Panarin and Pastrnak's paces would have won them the Art Ross in 12 of the 18 seasons since the '05-06 lockout, and they're sitting 4th and 5th this season, 20+ points back.

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

View attachment 846310

Nice 2-minute shift out there with the empty net in a 6-4 game vs MTL

What a shame this is how the Art Ross will get decided.

So this is how it is with all matters Kucherov, huh? Laser focus on him for things that happen all the time. Has same hip surgery as several other players, all who missed more time than he did, but clearly a surgery he could've returned to play sooner from, now getting focused on for empty net ice time, like getting your best forward on the ice in an ENG situation (esp up two goals) has never been a completely accepted practice in hockey. Hope you have the same energy for those who complete hat tricks that way.

 

[NotASheep]

2 player race unless McDavid steps it up

 

[DrMartinVanNostrand]

Ah yes, this again. This means nothing as it doesn't account for how the team is playing at the time of their games played. For example: points gathered against the Oilers at the beginning of the year when they were struggling heavily are valued the same as points gathered against them during their undefeated streak.

How deep are we supposed to parse this information? This is ridiculous. Players have zero control over the form of their opponent when they play them.

 

[EmptyNetAssassin]

He doesn't tho lol. McDavid doesn't go on the ice with the intention of padding his stats blatantly like Kucherov. Go look up the play from the other day where he literally cherry-picked in the neutral zone with his team having only a 1 goal lead.

I love how triggered people are that I am calling it out though lol

Kucherov goes on the ice dreaming and scheming how to dominate it and win a cup. McDavid goes on the oilers ice dreaming off the day he can leave and go win a cup. Sarcasm... McDavid is good but he isn't having the best season ever at his position. When he tops Mr
Gretzky like Kucherov is topping the best rw ever Jagr then he can get into the conversation.

 

[killa3312]

It’s amusing when McDavid made his initial surge everyone was like “well there you go. McDavid will win by double digit points” as though Kucherov and MacKinnon were some Jonathan Huberdeau level players on fluke seasons that couldn’t sustain their pace.

No surprise here. McDavid fanboys are the worst fans on the internet. The excuses they come up with as to why someone may have a better season than him are hilarious, as if he’s entitled to the points race every season.