Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[ozzie]

How many more times do the Lightning play the Canes this seaon?

I'm still not betting against a resurgent McDavid mounting an epic Mario 1993 type charge. Edmonton eventually has to get back on track and improve on the power play.

 

[Macheteops]

For sure he's the frontrunner.

But I wouldn't count out McDavid, Draisaitl or MacKinnon just yet.

MacKinnon can't stay healthy long enough to make a run

Kuch isn't a clear favourite but wouldn't be surprised to see him win another. I think it comes down to McDavid's health

Did it last year
Did it the year before
Would've done it in the COVID shortened year
Was on pace to do it 19-20
Was on pace to do it in 18-19

Wasting your time with that guy. If McDavid gets back to 100% soon he'll have no issue hitting 120. If this injury is something he deals with most of the year I'd say closer to 100

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

Bit too early to say he's the clear favourite. He only just beat out Hughes who, himself, was a shocker. Both teams have essentially had gift games. Vancouver could run up San Jose tomorrow or maybe Boston gets a silly game with Pasta scoring four.

Lots of runway left but Kucherov is definitely making one hell of a statement.

 

[K1900L]

In all of these Draisaitl vs MacKinnon vs Matthews debates over the past years, people have always forgotten about him.
Kucherov and Draisaitl are the only players who have beaten non-rookie McDavid in the scoring race so far, no?

I think he can do it, especially with McDrai having a bad start and playing in a terrible environment. But then: Draisaitl is just 9 points behind with two games in hand. If they go on a run, he could be back in the race within 5 games or so.

 

[Seanaconda]

In all of these Draisaitl vs MacKinnon vs Matthews debates over the past years, people have always forgotten about him.
Kucherov and Draisaitl are the only players who have beaten non-rookie McDavid in the scoring race so far, no?

I think he can do it, especially with McDrai having a bad start and playing in a terrible environment. But then: Draisaitl is just 9 points behind with two games in hand. If they go on a run, he could be back in the race within 5 games or so.

Nah if I'm gonna leave anyone out of that second tier it tends to be matthews just because some leafs fan annoyed me ,


kuch when healthy is always in my top 5

I hope he wins cuz the record book looks cooler with just him and the Oilers for the past decade

 

[Crosby2010]

I don't know how you can say Kucherov has quietly put together the sort of career he has had so far but yeah, it's been relatively quiet with little fanfare. Maybe because Tampa was also very good at the time and there was a lot to see there (I'd count 5 future HHOFers in all on that team). Not to mention McDavid has been the draw in these years. But Kuch could play on my team anytime he'd like. Since it is still late November I don't want to give it to him yet because we all know what McDavid is capable of doing. But we have to remember, in 2019 we all thought Kucherov would eventually give up the scoring race to McDavid and he never did, and McDavid still had a very good 116 points that year. So who knows. I think McDavid is better in 2023 than in 2019 but if whatever is nagging him keeps bothering him then I am not sure he is the Art Ross winner. He has to lose it sometime, he's not Gretzky. No one is. But it is still early, 25% into the season. Saku Koivu was more or less leading the NHL in points in 1996-'97 at this time in the season before order was restored.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

The thing about Kuch, other than the pure sublime talent, is the company he keeps. No other major threat for the Art Ross has the chemistry and stability that he has with his line mates and Stamer on PP1. That makes him unique IMO and fuels his 50/50 chances.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Its really early. Remember the infamous "Crosby is running away with the art ross again" from 2015? He didn't win it, and he never won another.

I'm not saying Kuch can't take it, just so much can happen. I would say he is the favorite based solely on the fact he is the leader. but its not like he isn't catchable

That's ok, Sid won two measly trophies back to back instead.

 

[ijuka]

Gotta love the fact that these threads are always timed after a massive multi-point game. First the Hughes one after his 5-point game, now this one after Kucherov's 6-point game.

Wanna bet there will be a thread like this for someone else as well after they have a 5-point game and move to the front temporarily, etc.

 

[ijuka]

That's ok, Sid won two measly trophies back to back instead.

Those? Great, so did Tom Kühnhackl.

Stanley Cup's won by all sorts of mediocre players all the time, Art Ross is a significantly more prestigious achievement.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Those? Great, so did Tom Kühnhackl.

Stanley Cup's won by all sorts of mediocre players all the time, Art Ross is a significantly more prestigious achievement.

No it isn't? Wild statement.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Those? Great, so did Tom Kühnhackl.

Stanley Cup's won by all sorts of mediocre players all the time, Art Ross is a significantly more prestigious achievement.

Lol. You're talking about the year Benn won and Sid missed 5 games which likely would have had him win that.

I don't think Sid loses sleep over it knowing how the next few years went.

 

[LuckyDay]

Miller and Petterson are having a small lull right now due the scheduling. Hughes has the current scoring streak and got an assist last night.
There's always someone around the corner who is chasing you. And the season is a marathon. And because of this, the best teams know to slow down before the playoffs if they know they are very, very likely to get in.

 

[Video Nasty]

Gotta love the fact that these threads are always timed after a massive multi-point game. First the Hughes one after his 5-point game, now this one after Kucherov's 6-point game.

Wanna bet there will be a thread like this for someone else as well after they have a 5-point game and move to the front temporarily, etc.

1. In a world where McDavid has won 5 of the past 7 Art Rosses, Kucherov is one of the safest and most reasonable alternative picks to win an Art Ross out there, seeing as how he won one of those remaining two and has a proven track record of being a high finisher.

2. It’s excitement. Seeing Kucherov (or anyone really) pile up half a dozen points in a game is fun. When the situation is appropriate, like right now, it’s also a nice way to consider what he’s doing, because it vaulted someone already high up in the scoring race into first.

3. In the case of someone like Hughes, people are having fun there too, seeing a defenseman lead the league in scoring at just about the one quarter point in the season for the first time since…? We were fascinated to see Karlsson score at a high pace last season and now we’re seeing Hughes (and Makar) making us think over 100 points is achievable again. Plus, it’s fun to follow the Canucks scoring goals in bunches and witness their continued turnaround.

4. It’s a season in progress. We’re watching events unfold. While McDavid is hopefully beginning to get going, I don’t see a problem highlighting either Hughes, Kucherov, or even Jack Hughes along the way. Jack Hughes had one of the best starts in recent memory. Quinn is on a 10 game point streak and has 24 points in his last 13 games as a defenseman. Kucherov has 24 in his last 10 and is no stranger to scoring in droves. We’re going to talk about these things.

5. I kind of remember this attitude when Kucherov was actively winning the trophy in 2018-2019, so I guess it’s just a no-win for him either way.

TLDR: “Because it’s so much fun, Jan.”

 

[Peltz]

He’s a brilliant player.

 

[avsfan9]

How so? He has a 3 point lead and it took a 6 point game to get there. I wish people would stop overreacting after one big point game.

 

[Binder]

all of a sudden mcdavid has 7 points in 3 games
and draisital is back in the top 10 in league scoring

barring injury i expect things to go as they did last year

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

I can't stand this guy but his vision is just outstanding.

 

[Regal]

How so? He has a 3 point lead and it took a 6 point game to get there. I wish people would stop overreacting after one big point game.

It’s as much about the names after him than the points. Quinn Hughes isn’t going to keep pace. Kucherov won’t either but he can stay closer to where he is now than a lot of the rest of the leaderboard. And a 15 point lead on McDavid 1/4 into the season is a good start if someone is going to beat him. Favourite doesn’t have to mean likely when it’s referring to an award for all players. Just the most likely. The field is still more likely but I could see giving him the best odds among individual players at this point.

 

[Fantomas]

It's been my position for a while that Kucherov's 2018-19 season was a one-off. But he appears to have returned to that level. Hope he can keep it up.

 

[TampaBayLightning]

He is so casual about everything when he is on the ice.

 

[Voight]

Kuch has been a mainstay in the Art Ross race almost every year since 2017. He finished 3rd in points last year but honestly, that flew under the radar.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Season	GP	G	A	Points	PPG
2013-14	52	9	9	18	0.35
2014-15	82	29	36	65	0.79
2015-16	77	30	36	66	0.85
2016-17	74	40	45	85	1.14
2017-18	80	39	61	100	1.25
2018-19	82	41	87	128	1.57
2019-20	68	33	52	85	1.25
2020-21	---	---	---	---	---
2021-22	47	25	44	69	1.46
2022-23	82	30	83	113	1.37
2023-24	20	15	20	35	1.75
Total	664	291	473	764	1.15

Taking away Kuch's rookie year, he is on average 1.22 PPG player over the regular season. His rookie year he was playing like third and fourth line minutes, Since Nikita Kucherov officially arrived (started to take off) in the 2016-17 season, he is 1.35 PPG. The consistency is just unreal from him and his play style is one that is conducive to longevity. He is world class vision and hands, he is one of the smartest players in the world. He's not out skating anyone, he's not a powerhouse, he just incredibly intelligent with the puck. Efficient as hell. When healthy, Kuch is easily top 5 player in the world, with easy arguments made for Top 3. Will he win the Art Ross? Maybe? Kuch has a tendency to get bored and start slacking off but somehow still sneeze points. But even then you know damn well he will be near the top for points at the end of the season if he stays healthy.

And just to throw in, he is one of the most clutch playoff performers in the modern era.

Total	GP	G	A	Points	PPG
	142	53	107	160	1.12

 

[bobholly39]

He's the favorite imo outside of McDrai

Havent counted McDavid out yet. He just had a 4pt game himself

 

[ViD]

Gotta love the fact that these threads are always timed after a massive multi-point game. First the Hughes one after his 5-point game, now this one after Kucherov's 6-point game.

Wanna bet there will be a thread like this for someone else as well after they have a 5-point game and move to the front temporarily, etc.

It’s not just a multi point game, he’s been consistently scoring throughout the year and is currently leading the scoring race with a margin