Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[Dingo]

the weird, neverending 5 games in hand really does misrepresent the race. going by whats hapoening that is 8 or 9 points for McDangler.

its a 4-5 point lead, both players on fire. Mackinnon not out, but slowing and just got hit in the face with a puck.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

If McDavid leads in assists he will do so for the fourth time in his career. Only players to do it more

Orr (5 times)
Gretzky (16 times)

That is so silly

 

[Danarqhy]

Kuch is a f***ing monster yet somehow I still see people in this thread disrespecting and trying to downplay him and saying stuff like McDavid is better. Yeah no shit sherlock, but NOT THIS SEASON. McDees was putrid to start the season.

 

[Cup or Bust]

Kuch is a f***ing monster yet somehow I still see people in this thread disrespecting him and trying to downplay him and saying stuff like McDavid is better. Yeah no shit sherlock, but NOT THIS SEASON. McDees was putrid to start the season.

Awwwwwww, your Kuchy is good, don't worry.

 

[Dingo]

Kucherov is having a great season. Definitely one of the top players in the league. He deserves credit as well but just scoring points doesn't make you the best player in the league. McDavid dominates games unlike anyone else outside of about 2 or 3 players in NHL history.

ya, i dunno.

There is no doubt McDavid controls flow with that speed. The ironic thing for me, because I see this take a lot (and i dont disagree), is that ONE of the 'players in history' is assuredly Gretzky, who is exactly who Kucherov reminds me of. Not big or imposing, not particularly fast, no boomin slapper or 3rd liner grit/ferociousness. But, how quickly (both) can turn a loose puck into a scoring opportunity. I dont think anyone has seen the ice better than Kucherov, since Wayne, and he has the hands to hit the pass or shot immediately. In a way, I begin to wonder if he isnt, in fact, orchestrating the flow out there, as much as anyone. You have McDavid with speed, hands and vision, never tiring. Forsberg/Crosby model with endless grind, vision and strength on stick/skates, Lemieux/Jagr with the size and strength and silky hands, but i think Kucherov really does remind me Wayne(or Lidstrom actually) - like a chessmaster overtop of the board, rather than in it.

 

[Cup or Bust]

Awwwwwww, your Kuchy is good, don't worry little guy.

Just roasting you for fun. Kucherov is good, no one can deny that.

 

[Video Nasty]

Dates are irrelevant. As others have pointed out, McD had 5 games at hand on Jan 1st and has 5 games at hand today. This gap will close by seasons end when (knocks on wood) both players are healthy and have played 82 and 80 games respectively.

After 48 games played:
* Kucherov 83 points
* McDavid 80 points

Should be noted that Kucherov missed a game this season and will play up to a possible 81.

Hopefully all three main factors of the race play every available game to make this as interesting as it has been.

 

[RDTBay4]

Kucherov is having a great season. Definitely one of the top players in the league. He deserves credit as well but just scoring points doesn't make you the best player in the league. McDavid dominates games unlike anyone else outside of about 2 or 3 players in NHL history, which is why no one else in the league career wise is even close to him.

I understand that it's unlikely you watch many Lightning full games, but if you did, you'd realize Kucherov dominates games. The season he's having while we're riddled with injuries with a non-existent bottom 6 is unreal.

 

[Cup or Bust]

I understand that it's unlikely you watch many Lightning full games, but if you did, you'd realize Kucherov dominates games. The season he's having while we're riddled with injuries with a non-existent bottom 6 is unreal.

I give full credit to Kucherov, he is a great player.

 

[Daximus]

Edit: I'm dumb this isn't a Hart thread.
I think if McDavid catches and surpasses Kucherov it will likely go to McDavid. There is also the elephant in the room of Matthews hitting 70 goals. They gave it to him when he hit 60, they might just give it to him when/if he hits 70 as well.

 

[snag]

Kuch is a f***ing monster yet somehow I still see people in this thread disrespecting and trying to downplay him and saying stuff like McDavid is better. Yeah no shit sherlock, but NOT THIS SEASON. McDees was putrid to start the season.

injured==Putrid

ok.

 

[MadLuke]

I think if McDavid catches and surpasses Kucherov it will likely go to McDavid. There is also the elephant in the room of Matthews hitting 70 goals. They gave it to him when he hit 60, they might just give it to him when/if he hits 70 as well.

I think they will stick to the tradition of giving the Art Ross to the player with the most points.

 

[wetcoast]

13 pts back with 33 games to play. It's hard to do but if someone can do it I guess it's McD

Seems like a really big hill to climb even for McDavid.

Using elite prospects projected stats he comes up 7 points short and McDavid comes up with 71 goals which would make this section melt down.

Elite Prospects - NHL Stats Projected

2023-2024 projected player stats for NHL, including top goal scorers, most games played, PPG leaders and more.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

This is shaping up to be a very entertaining Ross and Hart race. Most exciting in years.

 

[Daximus]

I think they will stick to the tradition of giving the Art Ross to the player with the most points.

Yep they will. For some reason I was thinking Hart.

 

[snag]

I think if McDavid catches and surpasses Kucherov it will likely go to McDavid. There is also the elephant in the room of Matthews hitting 70 goals. They gave it to him when he hit 60, they might just give it to him when/if he hits 70 as well.

We talking Hart or Art Ross here?

 

[Daximus]

We talking Hart or Art Ross here?

Yeah for some reason I thought this was a Hart trophy discussion. Probably because obviously the guy leading the Ross race is the favourite to win it. And if someone passes them, they will then become the favourite to win it.

 

[Danarqhy]

injured==Putrid

ok.

If he was injured that bad he shouldn't of been playing. I can only judge the results on the ice not the excuses. Even besides that McDavid has been inconsistent this season, just not his usual self. Kucherov on the other hand has been a beast since the start of the season.

 

[snag]

If he was injured that bad he shouldn't of been playing. I can only judge the results on the ice not the excuses. Even besides that McDavid has been inconsistent this season, just not his usual self. Kucherov on the other hand has been a beast since the start of the season.

Never been one to argue that point.

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

Even besides that McDavid has been inconsistent this season, just not his usual self. Kucherov on the other hand has been a beast since the start of the season.

I generally disagree with this. McDavid is playing the best overall hockey of his career since he recovered from injury. In his last 32 games 15-49-64 and +28. Playing at a 38-126-164 pace over a full season while playing legitimately elite defensive hockey. His goal scoring is down from previous years, but every other aspect of his game is the best it has ever been.

 

[Dingo]

Edit: I'm dumb this isn't a Hart thread.
I think if McDavid catches and surpasses Kucherov it will likely go to McDavid. There is also the elephant in the room of Matthews hitting 70 goals. They gave it to him when he hit 60, they might just give it to him when/if he hits 70 as well.

takes integrity to leave up the original! haha, i have some dumb ones, too.

 

[Daximus]

takes integrity to leave up the original! haha, i have some dumb ones, too.

We all have them, might as well own them.

 

[Dingo]

I generally disagree with this. McDavid is playing the best overall hockey of his career since he recovered from injury. In his last 32 games 15-49-64 and +28. Playing at a 38-126-164 pace over a full season while playing legitimately elite defensive hockey. His goal scoring is down from previous years, but every other aspect of his game is the best it has ever been.

probably why assists are up and goals down if he is spending more time in his own end?

The great two way centres (i mean less the Selke guys and more the guys who managed Rosses or close while garnering Selke attention) typically leaned on assists for their totals.

 

[NYR94]

People pay to watch him play.

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

probably why assists are up and goals down if he is spending more time in his own end?

The great two way centres (i mean less the Selke guys and more the guys who managed Rosses or close while garnering Selke attention) typically leaned on assists for their totals.

I think hes actually spending less time in his own end this year. McDavid has an absolute dominant 61% CF at 5v5 this year. But when hes attacking he is far more pass happy than the previous two years.