Steve Starr
- Bovada has issued new NHL prop bets for the 2019/20 Art Ross Trophy
- Connor McDavid (+275) and Nikita Kucherov (+275) are co-favorites to lead the league in points
- Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon (+1100) is a strong bet to win the award
Can Lightning sniper Nikita Kucherov repeat as the NHL’s most prolific scorer or will Oilers’ superstar Connor McDavid claim his third Art Ross Trophy in four years?
Sidney Crosby, a two-time winner of the award (2006-07, 2013-14) and 2015-16 points-leader Patrick Kane are also in contention for the honor with just over two weeks until the start of the regular season.
Using the odds at Bovada, let’s examine who’s most likely to fill the nets and is worth your money on a wager.
NHL 2019-20 ART ROSS TROPHY ODDS
| Player (Team) | Odds |
| Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) | +275 |
| Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) | +275 |
| Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) | +1000 |
| Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) | +1100 |
| John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs) | +1800 |
| Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) | +1800 |
| Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) | +2500 |
| Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning) | +2500 |
| Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins) | +2800 |
| Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames) | +2800 |
| Alex Barkov (Florida Panthers) | +3000 |
| Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) | +3000 |
| Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche) | +3000 |
| Taylor Hall (New Jersey Devils) | +3000 |
NIKITA KUCHEROV
Coming off the league’s most prolific offensive season (128 points) in more than 20 years, Kucherov was quoted saying this recently: “I have to be better than I was last year with points, goals, assists, everything I do.”
So, let’s just say the 25-year-old Russian is motivated to defend his crown. Working in his favor is the fact that he plays on the league’s most talented team, with the league’s No. 1 power play.
Looking at Nikita Kucherov’s offensive dominance #Bolts https://t.co/gsycnFwcC9 pic.twitter.com/EkZoq5FuHQ
— Lightning Report (@lightning_fanly) September 5, 2019
Kucherov averaged almost three fewer minutes per game than McDavid in ice time last year, but thanks in large part to star teammates like Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos, Kucherov destroyed his peers in points per 60 minutes (4.69 vs. 3.95 for second place).
CONNOR MCDAVID
Edmonton’s generational talent leads the NHL in points over the past three seasons (324 points in 242 games), narrowly outpacing Kucherov who has 313 in 236 games.
McDavid’s past performance, combined with the fact that he’s still ascending at the young age of 22, would normally make him the favorite for the Art Ross, but he’s coming off a PCL tear last April.
“I think we’re pretty optimistic for opening night.” Oilers GM Ken Holland said Wednesday that Connor McDavid could play in the season opener.https://t.co/QOOglnbbDt
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) September 18, 2019
While recent reports indicate he’ll be ready for the Oilers’ season opener, a few missed games or even a sluggish start could compromise his chances to increase his point total for the fourth-consecutive season.
OTHER TOP CONTENDERS
At just 19 years old, Sidney Crosby became the youngest Art Ross winner in NHL history in 2006-07. Leading the league in points for a third time will be much harder at age 32, but there is historical precedent. Martin St. Louis won the award in 2012-13 at age 37.
Patrick Kane put up a career-high 110 points last year, but he followed his 106-point explosion in 2015/16 with consecutive seasons under the 90-point mark.
#Avs‘ Nathan MacKinnon expected to “take another big step,” Sidney Crosby says https://t.co/vR7vJZhuh7
— Denver Post – Avs (@avsnews) September 18, 2019
Germany’s Leon Draisaitl looks like a great bet at 25/1, but his point totals were in the 70s in the two seasons preceding his 50-goal, 105-point outburst in 2018/19. The 23-year-old could just be getting better, but last year’s 21.6 shooting percentage is unsustainable.
If looking for an alternative to McDavid or Kucherov, 24-year-old Nathan MacKinnon would be my wager. The Avalanche star is coming off two seasons just under the 100-point plateau and plays on one of the top lines in hockey with Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen.
