NHL Awards: Top Art Ross Trophy candidates in 2019-20
By Tim Lazenby
The scoring race in the NHL is one of the most followed contests all year. At the end, the best gets one of the most prestigious NHL awards. Who will win the Art Ross in 2019-20?
Scoring points in the NHL is not an easy feat. As many offensively gifted players that there are, there are just as many who can defend. And while you may be great at it, there can only be one player who leads the NHL in points. Let’s talk about the Art Ross Trophy, which is one of the most famous of the NHL awards. It goes to the points leader.
The odds to win the Art Ross Trophy, according to sportsbettingdsime.com, have Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov tied as the best bet, followed by Sidney Crosby. Vegas odds are often correct, but not always.
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But first, if you missed the other predictions, you can check them out here.
And without further ado, here’s my prediction for the Art Ross.
Runner Up: Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning
What can you say about Nikita Kucherov that hasn’t already been said? Since his first full-time season with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015, he cannot be described as less than spectacular. Unlike many of the other offensive dynamos in the league, Kucherov has had to earn every inch. He isn’t the fastest or the strongest, but he is simply good at everything he does. If the league didn’t know it before, they do now.
Although he’ll be in the finals most of the time, there has only been one repeat winner in the last 17 years. The talent is amazing in the NHL, as to be expected. Taking the trophy home twice in a row is quite a feat. In fact, there have only been nine players since the existence of the trophy that have repeated as champ. But, I have faith he’ll be in the finals.
Runner Up: Patric kKane – Chicago Blackhawks
A one time winner of the trophy, Patrick Kane has been consistently fighting for the scoring lead, and now that he has been healthy, it’s made a world of difference. One could argue also, that he is playing with some of the most gifted offensive linemates in quite some time with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Although he has scored 40 goals twice now, the biggest part of his game offensively is allowing others to put the puck in the net. Now with sniper Alex DeBrincat at his side, his can feed the puck more now than ever. In fact, last season was the first in Kane’s career where he had both a 40 goal and 30 goal player other than himself on the team.
Wild Card: Brad Marchand – Boston Bruins
In the past two seasons, Brad Marchand ranks 3rd in points per game. Beginning his career with the Boston Bruins as a pest, he has really shown his offensive prowess since his first 30 goal season four years ago.
I’ll admit, along with almost anyone not a Bruins fan, it’s easy to hate Marchand. He always seems to be in the face of other players. Just when you think he’s gone, Marchand shows up at the perfect time just to make you go mad.
Going from 1.06, to 1.25, and 1.27 points per game over the last three seasons, Marchand is far beyond a pest. Finding ways to punish you all over the ice, he is the epitome of a fan favourite. If he continues to climb at his current rate, he’ll have a real shot at claiming the Art Ross Trophy someday.
Winner: Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers
Even as a rookie with the Erie Otters in juniors, Connor McDavid has gained the attention of fans, scouts, journalists, announcers, coaches, managers and owners alike. When he’s on the ice, he’s impossible not to look at. Everyone knows that if you just wait, magic is going to happen.
In his first three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, he had already claimed five individual NHL trophies and virtually everyone saw it coming. He is matchup proof. There is almost nothing you can do to stop him; you can only try to slow him down.
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Last season, he and Leon Draisaitl were arguably the most dangerous duo in the league and that isn’t going to change. Now in his fifth season, McDavid has, not only experience under his belt but the help he needs on the team to say to the world, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet”. This year he’ll become only the ninth player in league history to win the Art Ross Trophy three times and the only one still playing the game to do it.