Nikita Kucherov is the clear favorite for the Art Ross Trophy

[Czechboy]

I am not your son. You have mistaken me for one of your fantoms.

Maybe you got the reference.. maybe you didn't.

 

[DFC]

Is it possible for people to just disagree on this board rather than be condescending and disrespectful?


It depends heavily on positioning and system. You think way too black and white.

It’s not just a stat. I do watch bolts games as well.

I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I think most Lightning fans would have a similar assessment of what you're saying. Victor Hedman is still a good defenseman, but he has definitely begun to decline. He's not the monster he was in the cup years (particularly the 1st run, where he was otherworldly).

The idea that he is the driving force of the team RIGHT NOW? It's just hard to justify that if you're watching games and not just watching stats.

A ridiculous amount of the team's scoring is based on Kucherov making plays, including Hedman's scoring. That hasn't always been the case, but this year there's just no way around it. The defense has been trash, the goaltending has been trash (until lately), and the offense has been whatever Kucherov can create. We have not been good 5v5, but we have been floated by the league's best powerplay, and it's hard to watch our PP and come away thinking it doesn't run entirely through Kucherov.

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

McDavid is not in the top 10. Just lying now?

Dude get a grip, he just got bumped to 11 after the completion of the Ottawa game.

 

[Coffey]

MacK vs McD tonight! We are down Ek and our D is weak. So I like MacK's chances of a win and more points tonight.

That viking is still sick? Goddamit.

 

[Sky04]

Kucherov at 114, hopefully McDavid and Mackinnon game ends 1-0

 

[MacMacandBarbie]

Dude get a grip, he just got bumped to 11 after the completion of the Ottawa game.
View attachment 837076

Seems pretty low for the guy who leads the league in assists and touches the puck more than any player. What’s Kucherov’s excuse for being number 1 by a mile as a winger? Must be nothing there at all, you’re right. Let’s throw out the stat and the eye test of him making risky passes.

 

[Coffey]

McDavid and Mackinnon game ends 1-0

That's a +400000 bet for sure.

 

[Video Nasty]

As expected, Kucherov exits his night with 114.

Very excited for the big Oilers/Avs clash in about an hour.

 

[Sky04]

Seems pretty low for the guy who leads the league in assists and touches the puck more than any player. What’s Kucherov’s excuse for being number 1 by a mile as a winger? Must be nothing there at all, you’re right. Let’s throw out the stat and the eye test of him making risky passes.

You notice how all of those guys are the leading offensive catalysts on their teams? It's almost like you don't see a pattern. The more you have the puck the more you give it away, the more you know.

 

[MacMacandBarbie]

I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I think most Lightning fans would have a similar assessment of what you're saying. Victor Hedman is still a good defenseman, but he has definitely begun to decline. He's not the monster he was in the cup years (particularly the 1st run, where he was otherworldly).

The idea that he is the driving force of the team RIGHT NOW? It's just hard to justify that if you're watching games and not just watching stats.

A ridiculous amount of the team's scoring is based on Kucherov making plays, including Hedman's scoring. That hasn't always been the case, but this year there's just no way around it. The defense has been trash, the goaltending has been trash (until lately), and the offense has been whatever Kucherov can create. We have not been good 5v5, but we have been floated by the league's best powerplay, and it's hard to watch our PP and come away thinking it doesn't run entirely through Kucherov.

It’s just odd that lightning fans say their defense is trash, and has been a rotation of fill ins with all the injuries, yet Hedman isn’t being given credit for being the reason why Tampa is at or above league average for PK% and keeping a respectable GAA when he is on the ice.

You notice how all of those guys are the leading offensive catalysts on their teams? It's almost like you don't see a pattern. The more you have the puck the more you give it away, the more you know.

McDavid is 11th and touches the puck way more. That’s a big difference between being number 1 in giveaways by a mile as a winger.

 

[Sky04]

It’s just odd that lightning fans say their defense is trash, and has been a rotation of fill ins with all the injuries, yet Hedman isn’t being given credit for being the reason why Tampa is at or above league average for PK% and keeping a respectable GAA when he is on the ice.

The defense has statistically been trash, are you living in make believe land?

It’s just odd that lightning fans say their defense is trash, and has been a rotation of fill ins with all the injuries, yet Hedman isn’t being given credit for being the reason why Tampa is at or above league average for PK% and keeping a respectable GAA when he is on the ice.


McDavid is 11th and touches the puck way more. That’s a big difference between being number 1 in giveaways by a mile as a winger.

He also loses in the playoffs way more.

 

[Dingo]

You notice how all of those guys are the leading offensive catalysts on their teams? It's almost like you don't see a pattern. The more you have the puck the more you give it away, the more you know.

also, one mile = 7

but yes, what you said, too. Hell, Datsyuk had a decent amount of a giveaways. You know who doesnt? Guys who just dump or chip the puck, or, like you said, guys who barely touch it.

 

[MacMacandBarbie]

The defense has statistically been trash, are you living in make believe land?

I am living in the land where they are a hair above league average on PK%. Statistically. Thats the stat I brought up to highlight Hedman's importance to the team, I have no idea what you are going on about.

He also loses in the playoffs way more.

Yes he does. Your name is Sky04 and it is a Saturday. Let's get back on topic now.

 

[DFC]

Kucherov at 114, hopefully McDavid and Mackinnon game ends 1-0

in a shootout

It’s just odd that lightning fans say their defense is trash, and has been a rotation of fill ins with all the injuries, yet Hedman isn’t being given credit for being the reason why Tampa is at or above league average for PK% and keeping a respectable GAA when he is on the ice.


McDavid is 11th and touches the puck way more. That’s a big difference between being number 1 in giveaways by a mile as a winger.

Didn't say Hedman was trash, said the defense was trash. I said Hedman is still a good defenseman, which he is. But he is not the driving force of the team anymore. There's just no way to watch and handful Lightning games and come away without the realization that Kucherov has carried them. At least up until the trade deadline.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Nate with 116. Kuch with 114 n mcdavid with a nice donut.

 

[Video Nasty]

MacKinnon and Kucherov leave the night with the totals I expected and McDavid decides to go scoreless to make @Nathaniel happy for some reason.

 

[tucker3434]

McDavid v MacKinnon ends with Sean Walker being the big star (though MacKinnon had a very nice buzzer beater assist).

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Always play to the whistle. Mack shows them how its done. With that mcdavid lost any small chance he and his 25 goals had for the hart

 

[authentic]

MacKinnon and Kucherov leave the night with the totals I expected and McDavid decides to go scoreless to make @Nathaniel happy for some reason.

 

[dalewood12]

It's so awesome to see an actual Art Ross race, which is becoming exceedingly rare.

 

[DFC]

It’s just odd that lightning fans say their defense is trash, and has been a rotation of fill ins with all the injuries, yet Hedman isn’t being given credit for being the reason why Tampa is at or above league average for PK% and keeping a respectable GAA when he is on the ice.


McDavid is 11th and touches the puck way more. That’s a big difference between being number 1 in giveaways by a mile as a winger.

Keep in mind that the best defensive stat you could come up with was "a hair above average on the PK." The Lightning have a long history now of winning on defense, even if they are more known for offense. But this year they have been forced to outscore their problems, and that has been all Kucherov.

And while Kucherov has been an offensive force for a while, he has never been depended on like this for scoring. Which is why you see higher turnovers etc. He takes a lot of risks because if he doesnt create a play, it's unlikely anyone else will.

It's so awesome to see an actual Art Ross race, which is becoming exceedingly rare.

100%. When was the last Art Ross race that has been this good? High totals, competitive, anyone's race to win, and probably the 3 best offensive weapons in the league.

 

[MacMacandBarbie]

Keep in mind that the best defensive stat you could come up with was "a hair above average on the PK." The Lightning have a long history now of winning on defense, even if they are more known for offense. But this year they have been forced to outscore their problems, and that has been all Kucherov.

I also mentioned how their goals against average with him on the ice is above average and keeping them from being in the basement in that stat.

You choose to hear what you want to hear. Not going to go back and forth with someone who won’t even bother to read what I’ve wrote. Cheers.

 

[DFC]

I also mentioned how their goals against average with him on the ice is above average and keeping them from being in the basement in that stat.

You choose to hear what you want to hear. Not going to go back and forth with someone who won’t even bother to read what I’ve wrote. Cheers.

...But it's keeping them from being in the basement in that stat. Hedman has been good; the defense has been terrible. But it's really no comparison to what Kucherov has been doing offensively.

 

[Video Nasty]

With an assist in the first period tonight for point 117, MacKinnon passed Forsberg for 3rd most points in an individual season since the franchise moved from Quebec to Colorado. Only Sakic (120 and 118) is ahead of him. Stastny has 4 seasons under the Quebec banner that are higher (119, 122, 124, and 139). Goulet also scored 122.

Safe to say that he’ll be second when factoring in both histories within the next 4-5 games.

 

[Frosty415]

With an assist in the first period tonight for point 117, MacKinnon passed Forsberg for 3rd most points in an individual season since the franchise moved from Quebec to Colorado. Only Sakic (120 and 118) is ahead of him. Stastny has 4 seasons under the Quebec banner that are higher (119, 122, 124, and 139). Goulet also scored 122.

Safe to say that he’ll be second when factoring in both histories within the next 4-5 games.

Big season for him, it's great Avs fans got to see two superstars like Sakic and MacK lead the team to Cups