Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[HFpapi]

Kuch has 2 points lead & 1 more game remaining. I think it's his to lose.

To win 2 Art Rosses in McDavid's era is very impressive, especially the way Kuch did/doing. First winger ever to reach 90 assists mark, and most likely first winger ever to reach 100 assists mark.

A second Ross (competing directly against McD as you said) and maybe a second Hart (should go to Mack imo but very feasible it goes to Kuch) you really have to skyrocket Kucherov up the all-time rankings.

He's very comparable to Malkin now and maybe passes him if he has 3-4 more elite seasons in him.

 

[Reindl87]

A second Ross (competing directly against McD as you said) and maybe a second Hart (should go to Mack imo but very feasible it goes to Kuch) you really have to skyrocket Kucherov up the all-time rankings.

He's very comparable to Malkin now and maybe passes him if he has 3-4 more elite seasons in him.

I don`t see how he needs another 3/4 seasons like this.
With this season Kucherov has established himself as the best Russian NHL player ever.
Yes, Ovechkins and Malkins total numbers are obviously still better, but they never played at this level.
In terms of playoff acconlishments he is on malins level already and has well passed Ovechkin.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

I don`t see how he needs another 3/4 seasons like this.
With this season Kucherov has established himself as the best Russian NHL player ever.
Yes, Ovechkins and Malkins total numbers are obviously still better, but they never played at this level.
In terms of playoff acconlishments he is on malins level already and has well passed Ovechkin.

Ovi was clearly better from 08-10 than kucherov is now and also has far better longevity.

Better peak, far better longevity

 

[HFpapi]

I don`t see how he needs another 3/4 seasons like this.
With this season Kucherov has established himself as the best Russian NHL player ever.
Yes, Ovechkins and Malkins total numbers are obviously still better, but they never played at this level.
In terms of playoff acconlishments he is on malins level already and has well passed Ovechkin.

I don't mean of this caliber, 3-4 more like this season and he's pushing top 10 of all-time. I just mean 3-4 more "normal" high end seasons.

Edit: He's also NOT better than Ovechkin who has 3 Hart trophies and 9 Rockets.

 

[WalterLundy]

We also have to mention that we are in a high scoring era the last few years, so it´s easier to reach those numbers than before. The last time there was a higher goal average, it was in the early 90´s.

Absolutely but I am accounting for that. I’ve put all of the numbers into the 2024 environment to compare players evenly and these were the best ones.

 

[authentic]

Someone get Kucherov an “empty net merchant” shirt he can proudly display like he did the one on the cap a couple seasons ago.

I’d be shocked if this doesn’t happen

 

[Rschmitz]

It's not exactly the case of Art Ross being more important than Richard trophy.
Lecavalier barely outscored his own linemate, while Crosby was ahead of any Penguin but rookie Malkin by 50+points. It was easy to see who had been more valuable for the respective team.
Not even to mention that Sid was the golden boy at that time.

Right, Crosby outscored his next closest teammate by 35 points, Lecavalier only outscored St.Louis by 6. That's another important factor

 

[Toby91ca]

Honestly I think it's unlikely, if only because that would be like 23 points in his final 8, which would be insane. Not saying he isn't capable of doing it--he clearly is--but I wouldn't bet on it.

Wait, are you saying it’s less likely because he scored too much in his last few games (12pts in 4 games)….chances would be better if he only had 1pt in those 4 games? I guess I understand what you mean, he’s been on a heater and it has to run out….but still odd argument. That said, I agree, it’s a long shot

 

[Toby91ca]

To hell with this meaningless race. It was cool heading down the stretch but if he is feeling anything I don't want injuries to disrupt the playoff run.
Rest up. Heal up.

BS, only meaningless because he’s fallen back a bit and running out of games

 

[snag]

BS, only meaningless because he’s fallen back a bit and running out of games

Idgaf what you think. I think I was clear.... Twice now.

 

[AppreciateHockey]

Ovechkin>Kucherov>Malkin .

Malkin was almost always the number 2 on his team, never the go to guy unless Crosby was out ofcourse. Easier matchups on the 2nd line and often better wingers than Crosby. It has inflated his stats a bit. Ovechkin and Kucherov have always been the go-to guys on their teams drawing the toughest matchups. I could be wrong here but that's how I've been looking at it in recent years. Before I that I had Malkin at #1.

For the Hart, I would hope a mixture of 50 goals, 100 assists and 150 points would seal the deal for Kucherov regardless of narrative.

 

[HolyHagelin]

Ovechkin>Kucherov>Malkin .

Malkin was almost always the number 2 on his team, never the go to guy unless Crosby was out ofcourse. Easier matchups on the 2nd line and often better wingers than Crosby. It has inflated his stats a bit. Ovechkin and Kucherov have always been the go-to guys on their teams drawing the toughest matchups. I could be wrong here but that's how I've been looking at it in recent years. Before I that I had Malkin at #1.

For the Hart, I would hope a mixture of 50 goals, 100 assists and 150 points would seal the deal for Kucherov regardless of narrative.

If MacKinnon has the same or within 2 points of kuch, with significantly more goals, those numbers will not seal the deal

 

[CN8]

I wouldnt blame mcdavid for playing if he wants too. 99 is a very ugly number to leave your season on. Just like marios 199. The playoffs are obv the most important but it will be hard for him to turn away from 100.

That’s true . Wonder how much that 199 bugs Mario. It’s such a crazy ass number but just doesn’t look as crazy as 200

 

[Sky04]

If MacKinnon has the same or within 2 points of kuch, with significantly more goals, those numbers will not seal the deal

Absolutely it will 50 goals is nothing compared to 100 assists. Like ok great Mackinnon is on par with Reinhart and Hyman in that department.

 

[Beyonder91]

It's otherwise. Tampa has 1 more game left:
- Avalanche has 3 games remaining, Lightning has 4.

I mean Kucherov missed a game this year

 

[Beyonder91]

Says who? LOL Ridiculous. Kuch stirs the drink in Tampa



That is EPIC. That's next level hockey. 4D chess. There's no wrong answer this year. But to make your assertion is nonsense.

THAT is a spinorama, btw

The best part of this play was how smooth he took the pass of his skate. Unreal.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

I don`t see how he needs another 3/4 seasons like this.
With this season Kucherov has established himself as the best Russian NHL player ever.
Yes, Ovechkins and Malkins total numbers are obviously still better, but they never played at this level.
In terms of playoff acconlishments he is on malins level already and has well passed Ovechkin.

No, Kuch is not close to Ovi

 

[Signupnow]

Ovi was clearly better from 08-10 than kucherov is now and also has far better longevity.

Better peak, far better longevity

Do you have a crystal ball we others do not have when speaking of his longevity? To this date he is breaking records and is about to sweep the awards.

 

[gotcha90]

I don't get this obsession with EN points.
EN points are, by definition, scored at the very end of close games. They are some of the most important points you can possibly score, unlike, say, points on 4th, 5th and 6th goals in a 7-1 blowout.
Team getting the puck to their best player to put the game out of reach seems common sense too.

Sure, but Kucherov’s last 3 ENPs came with a Tampa already having a 2 goal lead and the opposing team taking a Hail Mary shot at winning - these were not close games. Two of teams were out of the playoffs already(Ottawa, CBJ) so they had nothing to lose or gain - these were basically free points that were meaningless.

It would be interesting to see how many of Kucherov’s ENPs came during 1 goal vs 2 goal leads - I only checked his last 4.

 

[VinikToWinIt]

No, Kuch is not close to Ovi

"Not close" is probably not a great take.

At this point he has 3 seasons above Ovi's peak season in points, with a 4th season pacing above Ovi's best in an injury-shortened season (47 GP, so not a small sample). He missed another regular season in his prime. He's also 30 and has time to keep building his resume.

He obviously won't touch Ovi in goal scoring.

They're difficult to compare directly since one is a playmaker and the other a sniper, but they're probably the 2 best at pure playmaking/sniping of their respective generations. Ovi is a force, and Kuch is a magician. Both are insane.

 

[DFC]

Wait, are you saying it’s less likely because he scored too much in his last few games (12pts in 4 games)….chances would be better if he only had 1pt in those 4 games? I guess I understand what you mean, he’s been on a heater and it has to run out….but still odd argument. That said, I agree, it’s a long shot

Yeah, it's unlikely because the longer you need a streak to be, the less likely it is to happen. Otherwise we would see it more often. 12 points on 4 games for Kucherov happens once in a while -- 24 in 8... not sure if he's ever done that .

 

[RussianGuyovich]

Absolutely it will 50 goals is nothing compared to 100 assists. Like ok great Mackinnon is on par with Reinhart and Hyman in that department.

this is ridiculous.

reinhart is playing selke level defense. mack aint even close to sammy.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

That’s true . Wonder how much that 199 bugs Mario. It’s such a crazy ass number but just doesn’t look as crazy as 200

In a way i think mario would get even more respect with 198 lol

this is ridiculous.

reinhart is playing selke level defense. mack aint even close to sammy.

Mack will breach 90 assists anyways lol

 

[Muffin]

Absolutely it will 50 goals is nothing compared to 100 assists. Like ok great Mackinnon is on par with Reinhart and Hyman in that department.

Goals are worth more than assists. 50 goals and 90 assists>>>>>>40 goals and 100 assists. People just like round numbers for whatever reasons.

 

[RussianGuyovich]

Goals are worth more than assists. 50 goals and 90 assists>>>>>>40 goals and 100 assists. People just like round numbers for whatever reasons.

people like numbers that are bigger than anybody else's in 30 years. 50 goals aint shit even this year