The Art Ross trophy is a coveted award given to the player that scores the most points in the regular season. This award and Connor McDavid have become synonymous in recent years after McDavid won the award three seasons in a row from 2021 to 2023. Last year, it was given to the shifty Nikita Kucherov. Who is leading the league right now, and who has the best chance to win it?
As is par the course for the beginning of the year, there are several players that could win the Art Ross, as the top five players with the most points now are all within three points of each other. These next few months will be crucial to determine who is going to wind up on top. Here are some players that could find their way to the scoring title this season.
Martin Necas, CAR
Necas is leading the league in points as of the time of posting, with 37 in 23 games. Necas has enjoyed an incredible start to the year after signing a contract with Carolina in the offseason. Scoring 53 points last year, Necas will no doubt surpass that amount this year, and he could do it before the middle of October. Necas has been instrumental to the Hurricanes success this year, and while it would take a lot from him to continue this pace, there is no reason why he shouldn't be able to do it.
Nathan MacKinnon, COL
MacKinnon is one of the league's best players, but the dominance of Leon Draisaitl and McDavid in recent years has made it hard for MacKinnion to stick out. Now, he's second in points so far this season with 36 in 24 games. With Colorado having room to improve, that could set up MacKinnion for even more success this season. Of course, he would have to keep up his current pace and then some, but MacKinnion has plenty of ability to do that. But, it remains to be seen given where Colorado is at regarding injuries. Captain Gabriel Landeskog hasn't returned yet, and it's unclear if he'll be back anytime soon. That will make it difficult for MacKinnon to keep up the pace, but I still think he can do it.
Kirill Kaprizov, MIN
The Wild have had an outstanding start to the year, and Kaprizov is a big reason why. With 36 points in 22 games, he's tied with MacKinnion and Jack Eichel for the second most in the league. Kaprizov held the lead for a bit at the beginning of the season, but he has cooled off a little bit since then. I wonder if the All-Star Break will get some wind back in his sails. Even so, the Wild look to him to lead their offense, and when Kaprizov gets going, he can put up as many points as the league's best.
Even with all of the talent all over this list, there is still one guy that will somehow find his way atop the sheet. And it should be no surprise who that is.
Connor McDavid, EDM
There's a reason why pretty much everyone agrees that McDavid is the best player in the league: simply because he is. The speed that he plays at is so superior to every other player on the ice at all times, and that makes goal scoring effortless for him. Last season, McDavid lead the NHL in assists with 100. While he kept up his same point scoring spree, people were wondering why he wasn't shooting the puck more. Even so, he finished last season with 132 points. This season looks to be more of the same. He's scored at least one point in each of his last four games, scoring three twice. McDavid is hot now that he's back from the ankle injury he suffered early this season. It won't be long before everyone checks the web, sees McDavid on the top, and sighs knowing that no one will catch him. McDavid is my pick to win this award, and I wouldn't be surprised if he proves me right.