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The Art Ross Trophy Race could look a little different this NHL season

By Jim Lynch

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 11: Connor McDavid #97 and Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers wait for a face-off during the second period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on October 11, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 11: Connor McDavid #97 and Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers wait for a face-off during the second period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on October 11, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images) /
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The Art Ross trophy is handed out each year to the player who leads the league in points at the conclusion of the NHL regular season. This year, the winner could be different than the norm the past handful of seasons.

The Art Ross Trophy Race could look a little different this NHL season

For the past four seasons the Art Ross Trophy winner has been a member of the Edmonton Oilers. Leon Draisaitl took home the award in 2020, and Connor McDavid has won it each of the last three seasons. That is a pretty incredible run, but this year might not be as remarkable for Edmonton.

The scoring race looks a little bit different through the first 15 games of the season for most teams. Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks leads the league in points iwth 25 through their first 15 games. David Pastrnak and Artemi Panarin are right behind him with 24 each.

It is entirely possible that McDavid or Draisaitl could catch up and surpass the rest of the league in points, but both are having down years. McDavid is playing at just a point per game pace through his first 12 games, and Draisaitl is currently tied for 13th place amongst the best in the league.

The Edmonton Oilers are definitely struggling out the gate, and with other teams playing well with star players racking up the points, McDavid and Draisaitl might not be able to catch up when all is said and done.

Another player having a strong start is Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa continues to look like one of the best teams in the league despite once again shaking up the roster this offseason. The Lightning will definitely need Kucherov to rack up the points if they are to be successful.

The Current Art Ross Race as of Wednesday Nov. 15 looks like this:

Elias Pettersson – 25 Points

David Pastrnak – 24 Points

Artemi Panarin – 24 Points

Nikita Kucherov – 23 Points

J.T. Miller – 23 Points

Sam Reinhard – 23 Points

Quinn Hughes – 23 Points

The Vancouver Canucks definitely have a lot of star power in their lineup.

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