Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[VinikToWinIt]

Came here to read about Kucherov, I left disappointed.

Welcome to literally any discussion about an elite forward tearing it up besides.... well, you know.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

12 point lead....

My mistake 13.....

 

[ViD]

12 point lead....

My mistake 13.....

Not making it easy for Mac and McD

 

[Video Nasty]

16 goals and 27 assists for 43 points and just 2 pointless games over his last 22 games.

 

[McVespa99]

Lol the guy in my av has over 200 playoff points top 5 all time with 3 cups 2 smythes. With 180 po games. If mcdavid played 180 po games his ppg would be much lower so please spare me with that nonsense

You could try to have a shred of objectivity. Just for a fun change you know

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

16 goals and 27 assists for 43 points and just 2 pointless games over his last 22 games.

13 points back.....

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

12 point lead....

My mistake 13.....

You mean 6 point lead?

As crazy as it is, he isn't just competing vs McDavid for this...

 

[HockeyWooot]

McDavid roaring back we shall see, it would be great if Kuch won it.

 

[LightningStrikes]

MacKinnon is quietly roaring back too. Interesting race!

 

[Maelmoor]

Yeah far from over, I still think McDavid will take it in the end.

 

[villacco]

With a down year for McDavid (120 to 130 points in 80 games), obviously a healthy Kucherov is very capable to win it. Kucherov is for sure the best bet against McDavid this year.

Still think McDavid is the favorite. Like 75 % to win it (if healthy).

 

[jigglysquishy]

With a down year for McDavid (120 to 130 points in 80 games),

Is this a down year for McDavid? Before 22-23 his most points in a season was 123. Sure, 20-21 is another crazy year, but all of 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 adjust to the 120-130 range (depending on your adjustment method).

 

[42]

Is this a down year for McDavid? Before 22-23 his most points in a season was 123. Sure, 20-21 is another crazy year, but all of 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 adjust to the 120-130 range (depending on your adjustment method).

Yeah, I don't know why so many think the outlier 2022/23 season is the norm for McDavid. That was likely his career year.

 

[WalterLundy]

Is this a down year for McDavid? Before 22-23 his most points in a season was 123. Sure, 20-21 is another crazy year, but all of 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 adjust to the 120-130 range (depending on your adjustment method).

Yeah you’re right. It’s really about his average year. 2016-17 to now he’s played 551 games and scored 843 points (1.53 PPG). He’s at 1.52 currently so on the surface it does appear to be an average year for him. That is really something special when you consider that this is a rolling 125 per 82 pace for him for 551 games. Other than McDavid only Kucherov (2019) and Draisaitl (2023) have topped 125 points in a season since 2006. That is remarkable.



If we dig deeper he had 5 healthy games to start the year with 8 points then had the worst stretch of his career with 5 points in 9 games while playing injured and missing two team games. His injury healed and he since has 28 points in his last 13. In terms of general play this year when healthy he has 36 points in those 18 games when the injured stretch is removed so 2 points per game. It’ll look more like an average year for him but he’s really actually very close to his 2021 and 2023 level even if 2023 is his peak season.

 

[Voight]

Welcome to literally any discussion about an elite forward tearing it up besides.... well, you know.

With a down year for McDavid (120 to 130 points in 80 games), obviously a healthy Kucherov is very capable to win it. Kucherov is for sure the best bet against McDavid this year.

Still think McDavid is the favorite. Like 75 % to win it (if healthy).

Hes already beat Mcdavid int he scoring race before.

(yes McDavid played less games, but even if he played 82 he was on pace to finish behind Kucherov)

 

[Score08]

With a down year for McDavid (120 to 130 points in 80 games), obviously a healthy Kucherov is very capable to win it. Kucherov is for sure the best bet against McDavid this year.

Still think McDavid is the favorite. Like 75 % to win it (if healthy).

How is he the favorite? 11 goals ain’t cutting the mustard.

 

[Czechboy]

Kuch is damn impressive so for

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

@Video Nasty has been awfully quiet.....

 

[SPLBRUIN]

Pastrnak should be in the conversation, he is putting up very impressive numbers without the support that Kucherov has. Furthermore the Bruins are overachieving while TB has been underachieving as of this date.

 

[Video Nasty]

@Video Nasty has been awfully quiet.....

I was the one who updated Kucherov’s latest totals, but sure, whatever you say.

 

[DFC]

Pastrnak should be in the conversation, he is putting up very impressive numbers without the support that Kucherov has. Furthermore the Bruins are overachieving while TB has been underachieving as of this date.

TB doesn't have the roster it used to. Vasy was out for two months, and then he came back and wasn't much better than his replacement. They would be a lottery team this year without Kucherov. Not many guys on the team, stars included, are doing a whole lot when they aren't on the ice with him.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Tampa sucks and people like "yeah but his supporting cast", hey guys, it's not 2021

 

[Czechboy]

Tampa sucks and people like "yeah but his supporting cast", hey guys, it's not 2021

Who does he play with? TB still has a high end at the top.. Stamkos, Hedman, Point...

I don't follow them closely enough though so maybe he's not playing with those guys?

 

[Czechboy]

 

[Rschmitz]

Who does he play with? TB still has a high end at the top.. Stamkos, Hedman, Point...

I don't follow them closely enough though so maybe he's not playing with those guys?

His 5v5 linemates are Paul and Point, was Hagel for many games, Stamkos only plays with him on the PP

The % of our offense that comes from Kucherov I think debunks the idea that he's a product of playing with good linemates. He is just smart and knows to rely on help.