Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[authentic]

As always, I’ll give you 2010-2011 and 2012-2013. Malkin proved in 2008-2009 that he could finish ahead of him, so the results may not have changed in 2011-2012.

He could’ve won a few more seasons too, like 07-08 and 14-15. Very unlikely he doesn’t come away with 5 Art Ross trophies in one of those seasons. At any rate, he did not but the reason is simply not competition. He could’ve had anywhere from 4-7 scoring titles with better luck.

 

[Video Nasty]

He could’ve won a few more seasons too, like 07-08 and 14-15. Very unlikely he doesn’t come away with 5 Art Ross trophies in one of those seasons. At any rate, he did not but the reason is simply not competition. He could’ve had anywhere from 4-7 scoring titles with better luck.

Yet here we are in a world where he only won a single Art Ross past the age of 19.

We can say the same about any player from some of those seasons. Seguin…if only he had better luck and played more than 71 games in 2014-2015, he might have won the Art Ross, even potentially over a Crosby that played 82 games. That’s the point. Players like Benn, Tavares, and Seguin should have been nowhere close to him; they’re not in his stratosphere. He should have beat them playing just 70 games, let alone the 77 that he did.

In 2007-2008, he was tied with two other players and two other players were just 2-3 points behind him through the day before the game he exited due to injury. Sorry, I’m just not willing to give the benefit of the doubt, especially in retrospect. If he came out and won the following two Art Rosses, or later in 2015-2016, I’d be more than willing to concede, because he would have earned that goodwill, tenfold.

2010-2011 and 2012-2013 are fairly reasonable to speculate on. Everything else is just the usual should have, could have, would have, but didn’t nonsense.

 

[Offtheboard412]

Yet here we are in a world where he only won a single Art Ross past the age of 19.

We can say the same about any player from some of those seasons. Seguin…if only he had better luck and played more than 71 games in 2014-2015, he might have won the Art Ross, even potentially over a Crosby that played 82 games. That’s the point. Players like Benn, Tavares, and Seguin should have been nowhere close to him; they’re not in his stratosphere. He should have beat them playing just 70 games, let alone the 77 that he did.

In 2007-2008, he was tied with two other players and two other players were just 2-3 points behind him through the day before the game he exited due to injury. Sorry, I’m just not willing to give the benefit of the doubt, especially in retrospect. If he came out and won the following two Art Rosses, or later in 2015-2016, I’d be more than willing to concede, because he would have earned that goodwill, tenfold.

2010-2011 and 2012-2013 are fairly reasonable to speculate on. Everything else is just the usual should have, could have, would have, but didn’t nonsense.

14/15 was by no means a stellar year for him, but he was still 1st in ppg. Career wise Benn Tavares and Seguin aren't on his level sure, but those were some of the best seasons of their careers. All great players have ebbs and flows where they're not absolutely dominating the field. Giroux is nowhere near McDavid's level but in 17/18 he was close enough that he could have taken that Ross if McDavid missed 5 games. Or in 21/22 again McDavid did not secure the scoring title until the last 5 games over Gaudreau. Yes I know McDavid dominated the next season but he hasn't been miles ahead every year and it's those years where staying healthy and playing 80+ games becomes so important.

Also, Is assuming it would have been a very close race with Ovechkin in 07/08 really giving him the benefit of the doubt though? He was pacing for 111 points. He was coming off winning the Art Ross the season before, and then in 08/09 he puts up 103 in 77 (109 pace) and then in 09/10 he put up 109 in 81 (110 in 82 pace). Seems pretty much right in line with where he was at the following seasons.

Now I'm not awarding Crosby phantom Art Ross wins here, none of those years were 100 percent guaranteed wins or anything. But if people are just going to just say 5>2 McDavids better, then it kind of invites that kind of speculation when Crosby dealt with so many injuries early in his career. I think McDavid has surpassed Crosby because he put up two monster seasons better than Crosby ever even paced for even accounting scoring levels, not because 5>2.

 

[Calderon]

For reference Malkin + Crosby + Ovi have 5 Art Ross total in their cumulative 50+ years in NHL.

This is at best incredibly misleading, or rather said, a downright disingenuous post. You're insinuating that over the course of their careers there's been 50+ Art Rosses for grabs. Do you work in marketing?

 

[daver]

McDavid wins the Art Ross - He's sacrificing defense for offense!

McDavid trails in the Art Ross race - Maybe he's not very good?

McDavid win the Art Ross - He's the best!

McDavid trails in the Art Ross - He's the best!

 

[Gnome17]

I personally hold Mack as the leader right now.

What is the deal with people saying Crosby is the leader, or atleast up there?
He is having a great year, but he is about to score the same amount of points he did last year, he isnt leading his team in scoring by a ton like some previous hart winners did, he is actually tied with Guentzel.
What is standing out for him compared to last year? Is he just way waaay better than everyone defensively this year?

 

[keglu]

This is at best incredibly misleading, or rather said, a downright disingenuous post. You're insinuating that over the course of their careers there's been 50+ Art Rosses for grabs. Do you work in marketing?

Misleading to whom? People who dont how many Art Rosses is awarded every year?

 

[daver]

Misleading to whom? People who dont how many Art Rosses is awarded every year?

Starting in 2006/07, the trio won 5 out of the next 8 Art Rosses, 6 Harts and 6 Lindsays and it would have been 8 for 8 or 9 for 9 if not for bad luck with injuries.

This sounds a little bit more reasonable than 5 out of 50.

 

[keglu]

Starting in 2006/07, the trio won 5 out of the next 8 Art Rosses, 6 Harts and 6 Lindsays and it would have been 8 for 8 or 9 for 9 if not for bad luck with injuries.

This sounds a little bit more reasonable than 5 out of 50.

They were amazing in these years and i would say pretty dissapointing later. I think McDavid can match their RS resume by himself (not counting Richards).

 

[authentic]

14/15 was by no means a stellar year for him, but he was still 1st in ppg. Career wise Benn Tavares and Seguin aren't on his level sure, but those were some of the best seasons of their careers. All players have ebbs and flows were they're not absolutely dominating the field. Giroux is nowhere near McDavid's level but in 17/18 he was close enough that he could have taken that Ross if McDavid missed 5 games. Or in 21/22 again McDavid did not secure the scoring title until the last 5 games over Gaudreau. Yes I know McDavid dominated the next season but he hasn't been miles ahead every year and it's those years where staying healthy and playing 80+ games becomes so important.

Also, Is assuming it would have been a very close race with Ovechkin in 07/08 really giving him the benefit of the doubt though? He was pacing for 111 points. He was coming off winning the Art Ross the season before, and then in 08/09 he puts up 103 in 77 (109 pace) and then in 09/10 he put up 109 in 81 (110 in 82 pace). Seems pretty much right in line with where he was at the following seasons.

Now I'm not awarding Crosby phantom Art Ross wins here, none of those years were 100 percent guaranteed wins or anything. But if people are just going to just say 5>2 McDavids better, then it kind of invites that kind of speculation when Crosby dealt with so many injuries early in his career. I think McDavid has surpassed Crosby because he put up two monster seasons better than Crosby ever even paced for even accounting scoring levels, not because 5>2.

Nope. Crosby is tied with St. Louis as an offensive player. No context necessary.

 

[TheStatican]

And just like that MacKinnon's back on top, though both gms aren't over yet. Man this really could go right down to the wire and be one of the best scoring races in NHL history.

 

[Master P]

Is this the part where I say Kucherov has played two less games?

 

[OilWagon]

Exciting race between Mack and Kuch, seems like they're both putting up 3 points a night.

 

[VinikToWinIt]

Is this the part where I say Kucherov has played two less games?

No this is the part we start saying Kucherov has the benefit of playing for a good team since the Lightning have strung together a few wins.

 

[TheStatican]

Is this the part where I say Kucherov has played two less games?

No this is the part we start saying Kucherov has the benefit of playing for a good team since the Lightning have strung together a few wins.

Pretty sure I also said that "this really could go right down to the wire" but sure, take it like I said Kuch is out of the race

Relax.

 

[Master P]

Pretty sure I also said that "this really could go right down to the wire" but sure, take it like I said Kuch is out of the race

Relax.

I wasn't responding to your post lol.

 

[nergish]

As weird as it sounds - I've never really given Kucherov a fair shake.

When he burst on the scene was the time I was least engaged with the NHL, and I've always just looked at him from a distance as a "really good player".

Can anybody define what he does so well to allow him to be such a dynamic player and prolific scorer?

 

[BoxOfChocolates]

MacKinnon with a 4 point night, up to 77 on the year

 

[TheStatican]

MacKinnon with a 4 point night, up to 77 on the year

Make that 5 and 78!

 

[VinikToWinIt]

Pretty sure I also said that "this really could go right down to the wire" but sure, take it like I said Kuch is out of the race

Relax.

I didn’t even read your post. It’ll be a good race.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

As weird as it sounds - I've never really given Kucherov a fair shake.

When he burst on the scene was the time I was least engaged with the NHL, and I've always just looked at him from a distance as a "really good player".

Can anybody define what he does so well to allow him to be such a dynamic player and prolific scorer?

Extreme craftiness, reflexes/hockey IQ/processing speed.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

@Video Nasty 18 point lead on 27 year old mcdavid.... nvm the games in hand no where near enough to make up for that. Putrid

 

[Video Nasty]

@Video Nasty 18 point lead on 27 year old mcdavid.... nvm the games in hand no where near enough to make up for that. Putrid

Man, I completely unhinged you.

 

[AppreciateHockey]

If Gretzky were to play now, he would look like Kucherov basically. Slowing play down, being 2-3 or perhaps in Gretzky's case 4 steps ahead.

 

[olli]

Gonna be 5/8 soon. Close to 50% - not sure that’s “generational”

Then what’s generational?