Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[RussianGuyovich]

the duek

 

[Cup or Bust]

The Hart is a tough one. I watched the Oilers play the Avalanche on Friday and when Rantanen left the game the Avalanche roster sure looked weak. If the Oilers somehow win their division which seemed absolutely laughable to even think possible early in the season, McDavid has a pretty strong case. Kucherov has been great all season long. It's a tough one. All 3 are deserving winners,

 

[User9992]

The Hart is a tough one. I watched the Oilers play the Avalanche on Friday and when Rantanen left the game the Avalanche roster sure looked weak. If the Oilers somehow win their division which seemed absolutely laughable to even think possible early in the season, McDavid has a pretty strong case. Kucherov has been great all season long. It's a tough one. All 3 are deserving winners,

It's Kuch's to lose. He is 51 Points ahead of his closest teammate.

 

[Cup or Bust]

It's Kuch's to lose. He is 51 Points ahead of his closest teammate.

That is why it's such a hard decision. You think that is the most important factor and another person can point to other factors as to why another player is deserving. Everyone values different factors differently and more then just one factor needs to be considered. A solid argument can be made for all three.

 

[User9992]

That is why it's such a hard decision. You think that is the most important factor and another person can point to other factors as to why another player is deserving. Everyone values different factors differently and more then just one factor needs to be considered. A solid argument can be made for all three.

What factors? Kuch is more important to his team than any other player. And the gap between 1'st & 2'd is much larger in Tampa than in other teams.

 

[Cup or Bust]

What factors? Kuch is more important to his team than any other player. And the gap between 1'st & 2'd is much larger in Tampa than in other teams.

If that is all you look at that is fine but I do not necessarily agree. I think Tampa Bay has a better forward group then Colorado does.

 

[User9992]

Tampa Bay's forward group is better then Colorado's. Just because Colorado's second best player is better then Tampa Bay's that really doesn't matter. I look deeper then that.

Doubtful. Tampa wouldn't have been in Playoffs without Kuch. Lightning have been awful this season, especially early this season. Vasy was horrible too.

Kuch was only bright light of this team.

 

[Cup or Bust]

Doubtful. Tampa wouldn't have been in Playoffs without Kuch. Lightning have been awful this season, especially early this season. Vasy was horrible too.

Kuch was only bright light of this team.

Without Mackinnon, Colorado would definitely not have made the playoffs with their weak depth and goaltending. Edmonton probably wouldn't have made the playoffs either without McDavid, Edmonton was at the bottom with San Jose at one point this season when McDavid was not playing well. I guess it depends on who a person thinks was most valuable to their teams success. All 3 have great arguments.

 

[User9992]

Without Mackinnon, Colorado would definitely not have made the playoffs with their weak depth and goaltending. Edmonton wouldn't have made the playoffs either without McDavid, That argument is the same for all 3 teams.

I think Colorado would still be a Playoff team.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

It's Kuch's to lose. He is 51 Points ahead of his closest teammate.

Very good point but not only point to point towards.

That is why it's such a hard decision. You think that is the most important factor and another person can point to other factors as to why another player is deserving. Everyone values different factors differently and more then just one factor needs to be considered. A solid argument can be made for all three.

This.

I am leaning towards Kucherov though.

Tampa Bay has Kucherov and 4 players above 70 points.

Colorado has Mckinnon and 2 guys above 70

McDavid has him and 3 guys above 70.

Not Just point gap from 1st to 2nd in my opinion matters. I thought McDavids would be 1 and 2. Forgot Bouchard is kicking ass.

 

[Cup or Bust]

I think Colorado would still be a Playoff team.

I don't know. Their goaltending is not that good and Nishushkin missed a lot of games. Outside of Mackinnon and Rantanen I don't think their roster overall has been that great for a lot of the season. I guess the issue I have is I like Tampa's roster more then Colorado's or Edmonton's.

 

[Sentinel]

But how did Kucherov do in the Skills Competition?

 

[AppreciateHockey]

Point, Stamkos, Hedman and Vasi all mostly no shows compared to what they are capable of until the TDL. Only bright spot all season next to Kucherov was Hagel. Duclair has been a nice signing.

Meanwhile Oilers have basically been firing on all cylinders since their starting slump, right? McDavid seemingly playing hurt all season.

Avs have not been as good as they are on paper like the Lightning either so to me its between Kucherov and MacKinnon for the Hart.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Kucherov eclipsing mcdavid whilst we are in the middle of a solar eclipse. Oh the poetry....

 

[WalterLundy]

Kucherov eclipsing mcdavid whilst we are in the middle of a solar eclipse. Oh the poetry....

*and peak Crosby (and everyone in the cap era minus last season and 2021 McDavid). Robert Frost couldn’t write that.

 

[The Macho King]

Very good point but not only point to point towards.

This.

I am leaning towards Kucherov though.

Tampa Bay has Kucherov and 4 players above 70 points.

Colorado has Mckinnon and 2 guys above 70

McDavid has him and 3 guys above 70.

Not Just point gap from 1st to 2nd in my opinion matters. I thought McDavids would be 1 and 2. Forgot Bouchard is kicking ass.

Sounds like McDuevid and DueKinnon need to be better about spreading the wealth.

 

[Super Hans]

what a stupid post, pat LaFontaines 148 point season wins the Ross every year except mcdavids during the same time frame.

It was a simple observation that encompassed the duration that most people consider the current era of hockey. If I wanted to make a really stupid post, I would have said 1917-18 Joe Malone would have scored 180 goals at his pace against today's scrubs. Let's put '92 LaFontaine in today's NHL against 6'6" goaltenders playing the butterfly style and 3rd and 4th liners that would be playing in the AHL and ECHL today.

 

[daver]

I think Colorado would still be a Playoff team.

How is this reasonable? The Oilers and AVs are almost dead even in points and you would be removing 130 point player.

 

[bobbyking]

It was a simple observation that encompassed the duration that most people consider the current era of hockey. If I wanted to make a really stupid post, I would have said 1917-18 Joe Malone would have scored 180 goals at his pace against today's scrubs. Let's put '92 LaFontaine in today's NHL against 6'6" goaltenders playing the butterfly style and 3rd and 4th liners that would be playing in the AHL and ECHL today.

isn't it a coincidence how scoring has gone up and everyone under the sun is having career years

 

[DFC]

IMO Kucherov will need to hit 100+ assists and win the Ross by double digits to win the Hart, and even then I don't trust voters to do the right thing considering past trophy voting.

I think the tide might be turning a bit on that. Seems like, as conversations become more serious, and voters/media actually research what they're talking about a bit, most people I've heard/seen lately are saying Kucherov even if he doesn't win the Art Ross.

 

[Regal]

I think the tide might be turning a bit on that. Seems like, as conversations become more serious, and voters/media actually research what they're talking about a bit, most people I've heard/seen lately are saying Kucherov even if he doesn't win the Art Ross.

Yea there’s been a few shifts throughout the year and I think we’re seeing one again. On March 13th, MacKinnon was 8 points up on Kuch and McDavid 1 point back and it felt like a sure thing for MacKinnon. But 29 points in the 12 games since have changed things

 

[Regal]

I think Colorado would still be a Playoff team.

I think they’d be in tough. They have a negative goal differential with MacKinnon off the ice and he’s been involved in 46% of the team’s offense. Of course if wasn’t there, his linemates might change that with the minutes they usually play with him, but they’d probably be fighting Minny and St.Louis at best.

 

[NikolaTesla]

Its weird that Kuch is only at +8 as a player with 138 points.

 

[DFC]

Its weird that Kuch is only at +8 as a player with 138 points.

That's more about TB's defense and goaltending. It's a lot worse when he's not on the ice.

Things changed at the TDL though

 

[WarriorofTime]

If Kucherov outscores the best offensive player since Lemieux for a second time in his prime that definitely warrants a lot of respect.