Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2023-24 revision of our top 50 Toronto Maple Leafs.

As for all of our top 50 players in hockey, we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Hockey League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Maple Leafs again made the playoffs but faced their usual result: a first-round exit.  Despite this, the team was loaded with veterans and saw significant elevations in the Top 50.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes:

1. Syl Apps
2. Turk Broda
3. Tim Horton
4. Charlie Conacher
5. Borje Salming 

You can find the entire list here.

On the strength of his 69-Goal season, Auston Matthews rocketed to #8 from #15.

Right Wing Mitch Marner advances to #33 from #36.

Defenseman Morgan Rielly moved up four spots to #38.

Center John Tavares climbed to #39 from #40.

William Nylander went to #45 from #48.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Thursday.

Here is the tenth current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 104 Cup Points:  53 Games, 33 G, 44 A, 77 P, +19, 9.7 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is the Czech Republic’s David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (264), is third in Points (95), fourth in Goals (33) and Point Shares (9.7) and is eighth in Assists (44) and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart, but if not, maybe his first NIHOF Cup?   Notably, leaving the All-Star break (where he went to his fourth), Pastrnak is enjoying his biggest Cup Point lead to date.

2.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 93 Cup Points:  50 Games, 42 G, 21 A, 63 P, +17, 9.0 PS. (#3 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top goal-scorer, holding the lead in that (42) and Even-Strength Goals (31), and is also sixh in Point Shares (9.0).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy.

3. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  90 Cup Points, 53 Games, 34 G, 56 A, 90 P, +2, 10.4 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross Trophy.  He is leading the NHL in Points (90) and Assists (56) and is second in Point Shares (10.4) and third in Goals (34).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but at one time, he was very close.

4 TIE.  Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 84 Cup Points:  54 Games, 32 G, 55 A, 87 P, +15, 9.9 PS. (#4 Last Week)

MacKinnon remains is second in Points (87), third in Assists (55) and is also fifth in Goals (32).  He is also second in Shots (245) and third in Point Shares (9.9).

4 TIE. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 84 Cup Points: 47 Games, 21 G, 56 A, 77 P, +22, 8.6 PS.  (#5 Last Week)

The Edmonton Oilers began the year as a disappointment, but they have been on fire as of late, with a 16-game win streak.  McDavid has not been lighting the lamp like he did last year, but he has however been a great playmaker, and just took over the league-lead in Assists (56).  He is also third in Points (77), seventh in Plus/Minus (+22) and eighth in Point Shares (8.6).  Can he make it back to the top of the mountain and win the NIHOF Cup again?

6. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 74 Cup Points:  53 Games, 25 G, 28 A, 53 P, +8, 6.3 PS.  (#7 Last Week)

Forsberg holds his spot in the top ten and remains a surprise to be ranked this high.  He added a second All-Star this year (first since 2015) and is fourth Even Strength Goals (22) and sixth in Shots (213).

7. Connor Hellebucyk, Winnipeg Jets, 73 Cup Points:  38 Games, 25-10-3 Record, 2.13 GAA, .926 Save Percentage, 8.8 PS.  (Not in the Top Last Week)

Hellebucyk makes his top ten return and is the leading Cup Points Goalie for the first time.  Hellebucyk is the NHL leader in Goalie Point Shares (8.8) and is second in both Goals Against Average (2.13) and Save Percentage (.926).  He is also fourth in Wins (25).

8. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks, 72 Cup Points:  54 Games, 28 G, 41 A, 69 P, +15, 7.8 PS.  (#10 Last Week)

Pettersson is on pace to match or exceed his 102 Points from last year.  The current league-leader in Game-Winning Goals (9), just added his fourth All-Star and is fifth in Points (69) and tenth in Goals (28) and Assists (41).

9 TIE. Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers, 71 Cup Points:  53 Games, 39 G, 25 A, 64 P, +14, 9.0 PS.  (#9 Last Week)

Currently having the best year of his life, Reinhart is the current leader in Power Play Goals (22), Game-Winning Goals (9) and Shooting Percentage (27.5), and is also second in Goals (39), fifth in Point Shares (9.0), and ninth in Points (64).  Historically a good player, Reinhart has never had a year like this before, and he just enjoyed his first All-Star Game.

9 TIE. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers, 71 Cup Points:  53 Games, 31 G, 36 A, 67 P, -1, 7.9 PS.  (#6 Last Week)

Panarin is back where he belongs in the top ten, and let’s see if he falls off again.  Currently, he is seventh in Goals (31), eighth in Points (67), and tenth in Assists (36).

Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen and Nashville’s Jusse Saros fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be next Thursday.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Thursday.

Here is the tenth current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 102 Cup Points:  50 Games, 33 G, 39 A, 73 P, +16, 9.3 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is the Czech Republic’s David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (251), is third in Points (73), third in Goals (33) fourth in Point Shares (9.3) and ninth in Assists (39) and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart, but if not, maybe his first NIHOF Cup?   Notably, leaving the All-Star break (where he went to his fourth), Pastrnak is enjoying his biggest Cup Point lead to date.

2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  90 Cup Points, 50 Games, 32 G, 54 A, 86 P, +4, 9.9 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross Trophy.  He is leading the NHL in Points (86) and Assists (54) and is second in Point Shares (9.9) and fourth in Goals (32).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but at one time, he was close.

3.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 89 Cup Points:  48 Games, 41 G, 20 A, 61 P, +16, 8.7 PS. (#3 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top goal-scorer, holding the lead in that (41) and Even-Strength Goals (30), and is also fifth in Point Shares (8.7).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy, though Kucherov is closing in fast.

4.  Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 82 Cup Points:  51 Games, 32 G, 53 A, 85 P, +16, 9.8 PS. (#4 Last Week)

MacKinnon remains is second in Assists (53) and Points (85) and is also fourth in Goals (32).  He is also second in Shots (235) and third in Point Shares (9.8).

5. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 79 Cup Points: 44 Games, 21 G, 47 A, 68 P, +16, 7.7 PS.  (#5 Last Week)

The Edmonton Oilers began the year as a disappointment, but they have been on fire as of late, with a 16-game win streak.  McDavid has not been lighting the lamp like he did last year, but he has however been a great playmaker, and is fourth in Assists (47) and Points (67).  Can he make it back to the top of the mountain and win the NIHOF Cup again?

6. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers, 71 Cup Points:  51 Games, 31 G, 36 A, 67 P, -1, 7.9 PS.  (#5 Last Week)

Panarin is back where he belongs in the top ten, and let’s see if he falls off again.  Currently, he is sixth in Points (67), and Goals (30) and tenth in Assists (36).

7. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 70 Cup Points:  51 Games, 24 G, 27 A, 51 P, +6, 6.0 PS.  (#8 Last Week)

Forsberg also made top ten return and is fourth in Even Strength Goals (21) and Shots (203).

8 (TIE). Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche, 69 Cup Points:  51 Games, 28 G, 39 A, 67 P, +3, 7.2 PS.  (#8 Last Week)

Rantanen is making another run for a 100-Point year and is currently sixth in Points (66) and ninth in Goals (27).

8 TIE). Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers, 69 Cup Points:  50 Games, 37 G, 25 A, 62 P, +13, 8.7 PS.  (#7 Last Week)

Currently having the best year of his life, Reinhart is the current leader in Power Play Goals (20), Game-Winning Goals (9) and Shooting Percentage (27.6), and is also second in Goals (37), fifth in Point Shares (8.6), and ninth in Points (62).  Historically a good player, Reinhart has never had a year like this before, and he just enjoyed his first All-Star Game.

8. (TIE). Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators, 68 Cup Points:  40 Games, 19-19-2 Record, 2.94 GAA, .903 Save Percentage, 6.4 PS.  (#8 Last Week)

Saros comes back to the top ten, and does so with an even Won/Loss record.  A surprise to be here (like he was before), Saros is a workhorse who is second in Minutes Played (2,243) and Saves (1,019) and is eighth in Goalie Point Shares (6.4).  He is not the best Goalie this season, but here he is.  That is the way Cup Points can work.

8. (TIE). Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks, 68 Cup Points:  50 Games, 27 G, 38 A, 65 P, +16, 7.5 PS.  (Not Ranked in the Top Ten Last Week)

Pettersson makes a return to the top ten and is on pace to match or exceed his 102 Points from last year.  The current league-leader in Game-Winning Goals (9), just added his fourth All-Star and is eighth in Points (64) and ninth in Goals (27).

Nobody fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be next Thursday.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Wednesday.

Here is the seventh current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 93 Cup Points:  46 Games, 30 G, 37 A, 67 P, +12, 8.4 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is the Czech Republic’s David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (233), is third in Points (67), fourth in Goals (30) and Point Shares (8.4) and ninth in Assists (37) and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart, but if not, maybe his first NIHOF Cup?   

2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  84 Cup Points, 47 Games, 31 G, 49 A, 80 P, +1, 9.2 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross Trophy.  He is leading the NHL in Points (80) and is second in Assists (49) and third in Goals (31).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but he is close.

3.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 79 Cup Points:  44 Games, 38 G, 18 A, 56 P, +12, 7.8 PS. (#3 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top goal-scorer, holding the lead in that (36) and Even-Strength Goals (29).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy, though Kucherov is closing in fast.

4.  Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 69 Cup Points:  47 Games, 26 G, 51 A, 77 P, +13, 8.4 PS. (#5 Last Week)

Mackinnon remains the league-leader in Assists (51), is second in Points (77) and ninth in Goals (26).  He is also second in Shots (213) and third in Point Shares (8.4).

5 (TIE). Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators, 68 Cup Points:  37 Games, 18-18-1 Record, 2.94 GAA, .904 Save Percentage, 6.0 PS.  (Not Ranked in the Top Ten Last Week)

Saros comes back to the top ten, and does so with an even Won/Loss record.  A surprise to be here (like he was before), Saros is a workhorse who is third in Minutes Played (2,081) and fourth in Saves (946) and is sixth in Goalie Point Shares.  He is not the best Goalie this season, but here he is.  That is the way Cup Points can work.

5 (TIE). Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers, 68 Cup Points:  47 Games, 29 G, 34 A, 63 P, -3, 7.4 PS.  (Not Ranked in the Top Ten Last Week)

Panarin is back where he belongs in the top ten, and let’s see if he falls off again.  Currently, he is fourth in Points (63), fifth in Goals (29) and tenth in Assist (63).

7. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 67 Cup Points: 41 Games, 17 G, 43 A, 60 P, +13, 6.4 PS.  (#4 Last Week)

The Edmonton Oilers began the year as a disappointment, but they have been on fire as of late.  McDavid has not been lighting the lamp like he did last year, but he has however been a great playmaker, and is fifth in Assists (43) and eighth in Points (60).  Can he make it back to the top of the mountain and win the NIHOF Cup again?

8. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 67 Cup Points:  44 Games, 27 G, 21 A, 48 P, +18, 6.4 PS.  (#5 Last Week)

We have to admit we are happy to see Sidney Crosby in the top ten, as even though “Sid the Kid” is over 35, we are still talking about a legend!  Crosby is seventh in Goals (27) and second in Even Strength Goals (21) as of this writing.

9. (TIE). Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers, 66 Cup Points:  46 Games, 34 G, 24 A, 58 P, +14, 8.0 PS.  (#7 Last Week)

Currently having the best year of his life, Reinhart is the current leader in Power Play Goals (17), and Shooting Percentage (26.8), and is also second in Goals (34), fifth in Point Shares (8.0), and tenth in Points (58).  Historically a good player, Reinhart has never had a first half like this before.

9 (TIE). Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks, 66 Cup Points:  34 Games, 25-8-1 Record, 2.40 GAA, .922 Save Percentage, 7.8 PS.  (Not Ranked in the Top Ten Last Week)

Like Saros, Demko makes his top ten return, and he takes the place of Elias Pettersson to give the Canucks a top ten player.  He is the NHL leader in Wins (25) and Shutouts (5), and is sixth in both Goals Against Average (2.40) and Save Percentage (.922).

9 (TIE). Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets, 66 Cup Points:  34 Games, 23-8-3 Record, 2.17 GAA, .925 Save Percentage, 7.9 PS.  (Not Ranked in the Top Ten Last Week)

Hellebucyk is in the top ten for the first time, and the former Vezina Trophy winner is leading the league in Goalie Point Shares with 7.9.  The Winnipeg Jet is second in GAA (2.17) and third in Save Percentage (.925).

Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen, Nashville’s Filip Forsberg and Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be next Wednesday.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Wednesday.

Here is the seventh current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 84 Cup Points:  43 Games, 26 G, 35 A, 61 P, +7, 7.4 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is the Czech Republic’s David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (212), is third in Points (61), sixth in Point Shares (7.0) and Goals (26), ninth in Assists (35) and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart, but if not, maybe his first NIHOF Cup?   

2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  78 Cup Points, 43 Games, 28 G, 44 A, 72 P, -3, 8.1 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross.  He is leading the NHL in Points (67) and is second in Goals (28) and third in Assists (39).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but he is close.

3.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 70 Cup Points:  41 Games, 34 G, 16 A, 50 P, +6, 6.7 PS. (#3 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top goal-scorer, holding the lead in that (34) and Even-Strength Goals (25).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy, though Kucherov is closing in fast.

4. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 67 Cup Points:  38 Games, 16 4, 42 A, 58 P, +13, 6.3 PS.  (#7 Last Week)

The Edmonton Oilers began the year as a disappointment, but they have been on fire as of late.  McDavid has not been lighting the lamp like he did last year, but he has however been a great playmaker, and is third in Assists (42) and sixth in Points (58).  Can he make it back to the top of the mountain and win the NIHOF Cup again?

5 (TIE). Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 60 Cup Points:  44 Games, 22 G, 26 A, 48 P, +7, 5.8 PS (#4 Last Week)

Forsberg is off to the best start of his career and should make his second All-Star Game, though other than Even-Strength Goals (3^rd with 19) and Game-Winning Goals (3^rd with 6), he is not in the top ten in any major offensive category. 

5 (TIE).  Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 60 Cup Points:  45 Games, 23 G, 49 A, 72 P, +11, 7.8 PS. (#5 Last Week)

MacKinnon returns to the top ten last week as, Mikko Rantanen fell off, though as we will see below, that was temporary.  He took over the league-lead in Assists (49) and is now tied for first in Points (72) with Kucherov.  He is also tenth in Goals (23). 

5 (TIE).  Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche, 60 Cup Points:  45 Games, 24 G, 34 A, 58 P, +2, 6.2 PS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

Rantanen returns to the top ten joining MacKinnon to give the Avalanche two players in the top ten; the only squad to do so.  He is sixth in Points (58) and ninth in Goals (24).

5. (TIE). Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers, 60 Cup Points:  43 Games, 32 G, 23 A, 55 P, +13, 7.7 PS.  (#7 Last Week)

Currently having the best year of his life, Reinhart is the current leader in Power Play Goals (16), Game-Winning Goals (9). and Shooting Percentage (27.8), and is also second in Goals (32), and tenth in Points (55).  Historically a good player, Reinhart has never had a first half like this before.

5 (TIE). Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 60 Cup Points:  42 Games, 26 G, 20 A, 46 P, +19, 6.3 PS.  (#9 Last Week)

We have to admit we are happy to see Sidney Crosby in the top ten, as even though “Sid the Kid” is over 35, we are still talking about a legend!  Crosby is sixth in Goals (26) and second in Even Strength Goals (20) as of this writing.

5 (TIE). Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks, 60 Cup Points:  44 Games, 23 G, 35 A, 58 P, +19, 6.7 PS.  (Not Ranked in the Top Ten Last Week)

The Canucks have returned a player to the top ten and this time it is the former Calder Trophy Winner.  Pettersson is sixth in Points (58), ninth in Assists (35) and Goals (23).

New York’s Artemi Panarin and Toronto’s’ William Nylander fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be next Wednesday.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Monday.

Here is the sixth current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 78 Cup Points:  38 Games, 24 G, 31 A, 55 P, +11, 6.8 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (189), is third in Points (55), sixth in Goals (24), and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart, but if not, maybe his first NIHOF Cup?

2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  71 Cup Points, 40 Games, 28 G, 39 A, 67 P, -3, 7.7 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross.  He is leading the NHL in Points (67) and is second in Goals (28) and third in Assists (39).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but he is close.

3.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 63 Cup Points:  33 Games, 30 G, 15 A, 45 P, +7, 6.0 PS. (#3 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top goal-scorer, holding the lead in that (30) and Even-Strength Goals (22).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy, though Kucherov is closing in fast.

4 (TIE). Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 60 Cup Points:  40 Games, 21 G, 24 A, 45 P, +7, 5.4 PS (#4 Last Week)

Forsberg is off to the best start of his career and should make his second All-Star Game, though other than Even-Strength Goals (2^nd with 19) and Game-Winning Goals (3^rd with 5), he is not in the top ten in any major offensive category. 

4 (TIE). Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers.  58 Cup Points, 38 Games, 25 G, 30 A, 55 P, +2, 6.5 PS. (#10 Last Week)

Panarin returns to the top ten, and is strange to think that he fell out of it at all.  The Russian Left Wing is third in Points (55), fourth in Goals (25), and tenth in Assists (30), and is poised to have his best goal-scoring campaign to date.

5.  Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 59 Cup Points:  40 Games, 22 G, 43 A, 65 P, +9, 7.1 PS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

MacKinnon returns to the top ten as his teammate, Mikko Rantanen fell off.  He took over the league-lead in Assists (43) and is second in Points (65), and eighth in Goals (22). 

7 (TIE). Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 58 Cup Points:  34 Games, 13 4, 40 A, 54 P, +10, 5.6 PS.  (#8 Last Week)

The Edmonton Oilers have been a disappointment thus far, and McDavid has not been lighting the lamp like he did last year, but he has however been a great playmaker, and is second in Assists (40) and fifth in Points (54).  Can he make it back to the top of the mountain?

7. (TIE). Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers, 58 Cup Points:  39 Games, 28 G, 22 A, 50 P, +17, 7.0 PS.  (#6 Last Week)

Currently having the best year of his life, Reinhart is the current leader in Power Play Goals (13), Game-Winning Goals (7). and Shooting Percentage (27.7), and is also second in Goals (28), and eighth in Points (50).  Historically a good player, Reinhart has never had a first half like this before.

9. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 56 Cup Points:  22 Games, 22 G, 19 A, 41 P, +14, 5.4 PS.  (Not on the Top Ten Last Week)

We have to admit we are happy to see Sidney Crosby in the top ten, as even though “Sid the Kid” is over 35, but this is a legend!  Crosby is eighth in Goals (22) and ninth in Even Strength Goals (16) as of this writing.

10. William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs, 55 Cup Points:  37 Games, 21 G, 33 A, 54 P, +5, 5.9 PS.  (Not Ranked in the Top Ten Last Week)

Matthews is the star of the Leafs, by Nylander might be the top player this year.  He is currently fifth in Points and seventh in Assists (33).

Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen, Nashville’s Juuse Saros and New Jersey’s Jack Hughes fell out of the top ten.  Notably, we have no Goalies in the top ten for the first time.

Our next update will be next Monday.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Monday. (note, with it being New YEars, and only one game scheduled, we waited a day!)

Here is the fifth current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 71 Cup Points:  35 Games, 22 G, 28 A, 50 P, +7, 6.1 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (163), is third in Points (50), sixth in Goals (22), and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart?

2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  67 Cup Points, 37 Games, 26 G, 35 A, 61 P, +1, 7.0 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross.  He is leading the NHL in Points (61) and is second in both Goals (26) and Assists (35).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but he is getting closer and closer.

3.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 58 Cup Points:  33 Games, 29 G, 15 A, 44 P, +5, 5.8 PS. (#3 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top goal-scorer, holding the lead in that (29) and Even-Strength Goals (21).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy.

4. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 55 Cup Points:  37 Games, 18 G, 23 A, 41 P, +4, 4.7 PS (#4 Last Week)

Forsberg is off to the best start of his career and should make his second All-Star Game, though other than Even-Strength Goals (3^rd with 16) and Game-Winning Goals (6^th with 4), he is not in the top ten in any major offensive category. 

5.  Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche, 54 Cup Points:  37 Games, 19 G, 26 A, 45 P, +2, 4.8 PS. (#6 Last Week)

Rantanen is currently eighth in Point (45), ninth in Goals (19) and Points (42), and is second in Game-Winning Goals (5).

6. (TIE). Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers, 53 Cup Points:  36 Games, 23 G, 21 A, 44 P, +15, 5.9 PS.  (#6 Last Week)

Reinhart makes his return to the top ten, and is the current leader in Power Play Goals (10).  He is also fourth in Goals (23), tenth in Points 44), and the veteran is on pace to finish in the top in those categories for the first time in his ten-year career.

6 (TIE). Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils, 53 Cup Points:  30 Games, 15 G, 29 A, 44 P, -4, 4.7 PS.  (#6 Last Week)

Hughes is currently fourthh in Points per Game (1.47) and is on pace for a third straight All-Star selection.

8 (TIE). Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 52 Cup Points:  32 Games, 13 G, 35 A, 48 P, +6, 4.9 PS.  (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

Look who finally arrived!   The Edmonton Oilers have been a disappointment thus far, and McDavid has not been lighting the lamp like he did last year.  He has however been a great playmaker, and is second in Assists (35) and fifth in Points (48).  Can he make it back to the top of the mountain?

8 (TIE). Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators.  52 Cup Points:  27 Games, 15-13-1 Record, .901 Save Percentage, 3.02 GAA, 4.6 GPS. (#5 Last Week)

Saros remains a shock to be the highest ranked Goalie and to be in the top ten in general.  How he got here is by being a workhorse.  Saros is third in Saves (740), second in Minutes (1,612), and is also fifth in Wins (15) and eighth in Goalie Point Shares (4.6).  Saros’ rank means that it is the Predators that are the first squad with two ranked players.

10. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers.  51 Cup Points, 35 Games, 23 G, 27 A, 50 P, 0, 5.9 PS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

Panarin returns to the top ten, and is strange to think that he fell out of it at all.  The Russian Left Wing is third in Points (50) and fourth in Goals (23), and is poised to have his best goal-scoring campaign to date.

Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be next Monday.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022/23 revision of our top 50 Toronto Maple Leafs.

As for all of our top 50 players in hockey we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Hockey League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, Toronto finally broke through and made it to the second round of the playoffs, but in “Six” it is all about winning it all.  Last year yielded several elevations and two new entrants, which is impressive considering we are talking about an organization that is over a century old. 

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes:

1. Syl Apps

2. Turk Broda

3. Tim Horton

4. Charlie Conacher

5. Borje Salming

You can find the entire list here.

Former Hart Trophy winner, Auston Matthews, continues his ascension, as he is now ranked at #15, having risen from #18.

Right Wing, Mitch Marner, climbed to #36 from #43.

Former #1 Draft Pick, John Tavares makes his debut at #40.

Defenseman. Morgan Reilly, advanced to #42 from #47.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Monday. (note, with it being Christmas on Monday, and no games scheduled, we waited a day!)

Here is the fourth current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 66 Cup Points:  32 Games, 20 G, 24 A, 44 P, +6, 5.5 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (163), is fourth in Goals (20), fifth in Points (44), and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart?

2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  61 Cup Points, 34 Games, 23 G, 34 A, 57 P, +2, 6.5 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross.  He is leading the NHL in Points (57) and is second in Assists (34) and third in Goals (23).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but he is getting close.

3.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 46 Cup Points:  27 Games, 23 G, 12 A, 35 P, +4, 4.5 PS. ($7 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top sniper the leadership in Goals (28) and Even-Strength Goals (20).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy.

4. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 53 Cup Points:  34 Games, 16 G, 22 A, 38 P, +4, 4.3 PS (#5 Last Week)

Forsberg is off to the best start of his career and should make his second All-Star Game, though other than Even Strength Goals (6^th with 14) and Game-Winning Goals (4^th with 4), he is not in the top ten in any major offensive category. 

5. Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators.  52 Cup Points:  27 Games, 15-12-0 Record, .909 Save Percentage, 2.82 GAA, 4.5 GPS. (#3 Last Week)

Saros is a shock to be the highest ranked Goalie and to be in the top five in general.  How he got here is by being a workhorse.  Saros is leading the NHL in Saves (708), is second in Minutes (1,510), and is fourth in Wins (15) and Goalie Point Shares (5.0).  Saros’ rank means that it is the Predators that are the first squad with two ranked players.

6 (TIE).  Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche, 50 Cup Points:  34 Games, 17 G, 25 A, 42 P, +7, 4.6 PS. (#7 Last Week)

Rantanen, he currently tenth in both Goals (17) and Points (42), and is second in Game-Winning Goals (5).

6 (TIE). Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils, 50 Cup Points:  27 Games, 14 G, 25 A, 39 P, -4, 4.2 PS.  (#6 Last Week)

Hughes is currently fifth in Points per Game (1.54) and is on pace for a third straight All-Star selection.

8. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 48 Cup Points:  35 Games, 10 G, 34 A, 44 P, +28, 7.3 PS.  (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

The Hughes family have two representatives in the top ten (reminds of us last year when the Tkachuks once did the same), and this particular brother is the lone Defenseman ranked in the top ten) and he should be.  He is leading the NHL in Point Shares (7.3), Defensive Point Shares (3.3), and Plus/Minus (+28), and astoundingly is sixth in Offensive Point Shares (4.0).

9. Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks.  47 Cup Points:  25 Games, 17-7-1 Record, .917 Save Percentage, 2.46 GAA, 5.4 GPS. (#6 Last Week)

Demko, who was an All-Star last year, is the current league-leader in Wins (17), Goalie Point Shares (5.3), Shutouts (3) and is eighth in GAA (2.46) and ninth in Save Percentage (.917).

10. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche.  46 Cup Points, 34 Games, 18 G, 36 A, 54 P, +10, 6.0 PS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

MacKinnon is in the top ten where he belongs and is currently the NHL leader in Assists (36) and is second in Points (54).  The Avs superstar is also eighth in Goals (18), and second in the Even Strength category (15).

Florida’s Sam Reinhart, New York’s Artemi Panarin and Vancouver’s J.T. Miller fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be next Monday.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the third annual Notinhalloffame NHL Pure Cup, and let us explain how this works:

It is with great pleasure that we announce the third annual Notinhalloffame NHL Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy is similar to the Art Ross Trophy in that there is one fixed mathematical perimeter, and it could have existed (albeit under a different name) since the NHL was formed.

The Montreal Canadiens donated the award in honor of Richard, who was the first player to score 50 Goals in an NHL season (which he did in 50 Games) and the first to score 500 in a career.  It was first issued in 1999.

The results are as follows:

There are currently 7 former Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with 3 entering, yielding a percentage of 39.2.  

If we go by yearly winners, there is an increase to 9 eligible years, with 5 of them generating a Hockey Hall of Famer.  That is a 55.5 Percentage.

The following are the past players who have won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and have been enshrined.

1999:  Teemu Selanne, The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Right Wing.  47 Goals, 60 Assists, 107 Points, +18, 14.3 Point Shares.  

Had the Richard existed earlier, this would be Selanne's third win and a successful defense.  As it stands, this was.  Selanne's only Richard trophy, in a year where he finished fifth for the Hart, third in Byng voting, and was a Second Team All-Star.  Selanne's Hall of Fame career also includes a Calder, a Masterton, and a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007.   The "Finnish Flash" lit the lamp 684 times over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

2000:  Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers, Right Wing.  58 Goals, 36 Assists, 94 Points, -25, 13.5 Point Shares.  

The "Finnish Flash" gave way to the "Russian Rocket," who would have won the award in 1993/94 with 60 Goals.  This season, Bure was first in Even Strength Goals (45), Game-Winning Goals (14), and Shots (360), with a Second Team All-Star and a third-place finish in Hart balloting.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2001 (2):  Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers, Right Wing.  59 Goals, 33 Assists, 92 Points, -25, 13.5 Point Shares.  

In the third year of the Richard Trophy, we have our first repeat winner in Bure, who was ninth in Hart voting.  This was his last monster year, as he was beset with injuries, and he last played in the NHL in 2003, netting 428 Goals over 12 seasons.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2002:  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  52 Goals, 44 Assists, 96 Points, +27, 14.4 Point Shares.  

Iginla was on his way to becoming a superstar, but this was the year he accomplished it.  The Calgary Wing also won the Art Ross and the Lester B. Pearson while earning First Team All-Star honors.  The runner-up for the Hart was also first in Even Strength Goals (35).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2004 Co-Winner (2):  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  41 Goals, 32 Assists, 73 Points, +21, 11.1 Point Shares.  

This was the first year where there were Rocket Richard had multiple winners, but with all due respect to Rick Nash and Ilya Kovalchuk, Iginla would be the one who historically stood out.  Iginla was again the Hart runner-up and the first Richard winner to win the King Clancy Award.  He scored 525 Goals over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

The following are the players who have won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

2003:  Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 48 Assists, 98 Points, +52, 14.6 Point Shares. 

Hejduk played all 14 of his NHL seasons with Colorado, and though he helped take the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in 2001, this was his best year.  The Czech Wing not only led the NHL in Goals, but he was also number one in Even Strength Goals (32) and Plus/Minus (+52) and was a Second Team All-Star.  Hejduk scored 375 Goals over his career.

Eligible Since 2016.  Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2004 Co-Winner:  Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing.  41 Goals, 16 Assists, 57 Points, -35, 7.7 Point Shares.

Statistically, Nash is the most fascinating Richard winner to date, as the 2003/04 co-winner (with Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla), and is the only one with a sub -30 Plus/Minus, though, to be fair, Columbus was horrible that the time.  This was also Nash's sophomore year, but his last major accolade in the NHL.  He did play until 2018, netting 437 Goals.

Eligible Since 2021.  Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2006:  Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks, Right Wing.  56 Goals, 37 Assists, 93 Points, +23, 12.7 Point Shares.

Cheechoo's season exploded when Joe Thornton was traded from Boston to the Sharks, and he became and remains the most unexpended Richard winner in award history.  He never had a season like that again and only had 170 Goals over his career.

Eligible Since 2018.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2007:  Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  52 Goals, 56 Assists, 108 Points, +2, 12.7 Point Shares.

Lecavalier was the first Center to win the Richard and was a Second Team All-Star.  A Stanley Cup Champion before, Lecavalier was fourth in Hart voting and won the King Clancy the season after.  He had 421 career Goals.

Eligible Since 2019.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame: 

2004:  Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers, Left Wing.  41 Goals, 46 Losses, 87 Points, -10, 10.6 Point Shares.

Kovalchuk was one of three winners of the 2004 Rocket Richard award, and unless the Atlanta Thrashers are resurrected from the dead, this will be the only winner from Hotlanta.  The Russian star would later have two 50-Goal seasons and scored 328 Goals in the NHL.

Eligible in 2024.

The following are the past players who have won the NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and are still active.

2008:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  65 Goals, 47 Assists, 112 Points, +28, 17.2 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was the first Richard winner (though far from the first player) to have a 60-plus Goal season, and he also won the Hart, Lester B. Pearson, and Art Ross and was a First Team All-Star.  He was also tops in Even Strength Goals (43), Power Play Goals (22), Game-Winning Goals (11), and Shots (446).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2009 (2):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  56 Goals, 54 Assists, 110 Points, +8, 14.5 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was a back-to-back Hart, Pearson, and First Team All-Star, and he was the league leader in Even Strength Goals (36) and Shots (528).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2010 Co-Winner:  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  51 Goals, 58 Assists, 109 Points, +15, 14.7 Point Shares.

Crosby was only in his early 20s, but before he won his first Richard, he was already a Stanley Cup winner, a Hart winner, and a Ted Lindsay Award winner.  He did not win the Hart or Lindsay this season (he was third for the Hart), but "Sid the Kid" won the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2010 Co-Winner:  Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  51 Goals, 54 Assists, 95 Points, -2, 12.8 Point Shares.

Stamkos won his first Richard Trophy and also led the NHL in Power Play Goals (24).  He was sixth in Hart voting.

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2011:  Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 48 Assists, 98 Points, +9, 13.3 Point Shares.

Perry helped take the Ducks to a Stanley Cup win in 2007, and he not only won the Richard this season, but he was also the Hart Trophy winner.  He also topped the NHL in Even Strength Goals (32).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2012 (2):  Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  60 Goals, 37 Assists, 97 Points, +7, 14.6 Point Shares.

Stamkos joined the 60-Goal club, winning his second Richard in the process.  Earning Second Team All-Pro honors and finishing second in for the Hart, Stamkos would later lead the Lightning to two Stanley Cups (2020 & 2021).

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2013 (3):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  32 Goals, 24 Assists, 56 Points, +2, 8.0 Point Shares.

Ovechkin became the first man to win three Richard awards, and as he did in the first two, he was also the Hart Trophy winner.  He was again first in Even Strength Goals (16) and Shots (220).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2014 (4):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  51 Goals, 28 Assists, 79 Points, -35, 10.2 Point Shares.

Now the first four-time Richard winner, Ovechkin failed to win the Hart (he was only 23^rd), but he landed another first-place finish in Power Play Goals (24) and Shots (386).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2015 (5):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  53 Goals, 28 Assists, 81 Points, +10, 12.6 Point Shares.

Not only did Ovechkin win his fifth Richard Trophy, but he also became the first to win it three years in a row.  Ovechkin was also second for the Hart and was the league leader in Power Play Goals (25), Game Winning Goals (11), and Shots (395).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2016 (6):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  50 Goals, 21 Assists, 71 Points, +21, 11.7 Point Shares.

Ovechkin secured his sixth Richard and fourth straight Richard while finishing sixth for the Hart.  He also was first in Even Strength Goals (31), Power Play Goals (19), and Shots (398).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2017 (2):  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  44 Goals, 45 Assists, 89 Points, +17, 12.3 Point Shares.

Crosby was the runner-up for the Hart Trophy, but he captured a better one with his third Stanley Cup, a back-to-back win.  

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2018 (7):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  49 Goals, 38 Assists, 87 Points, +3, 11.2 Point Shares.

A new streak began in 2017/18 for Ovechkin, whose seventh Richard came with a much bigger prize.  Ovechkin led Washington to a Stanley Cup win this season while also winning the Conn Smythe.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2019 (8):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  51 Goals, 38 Assists, 89 Points, +7, 11.0 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was a First Team All-Star for the seventh time and was seventh in Hart voting.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2020 Co-winner:  David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins, Right Wing.  48 Goals, 47 Assists, 95 Points, 21, 13.2 Point Shares.

Pastrnak had his breakout campaign, winning the Richard and securing a First Team All-Star at Right Wing.  He was also fourth in Hart voting. 

26 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2020 (9) Co-winner:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  48 Goals, 19 Assists, 67 Points, -12, 8.7 Point Shares.

Ovechkin won the Richard for the ninth time, and we don't know if we will be alive to see that record fall.  We also didn't think that we would be alive to see Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record eclipsed, but that looks to be Ovechkin's in the future. 

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2021:  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  41 Goals, 25 Assists, 66 Points, +21, 9.5 Point Shares.

Matthews won the Calder in 2017, and five years later, he won his second major individual award in the Richard.  The Leafs Center also led the NHL in Even Strength Goals (31), Game-Winning Goals (12), and Shots (222) while finishing second in Hart voting. 

25 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2022 (2):  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  60 Goals, 46 Assists, 106 Points, +20, 13.8 Point Shares.

Matthews repeated as the Richard winner and became the first Maple Leaf to have a 60-Goal year.  He also won the Hart and Ted Lindsay Trophy and was first in Even Strength Goals (44) and Shots (348). 

25 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Like the Art Ross, the Maurice Richard Award is purely based on a statistic but an important one.  There might be some unique and surprise winners, but for the most part, this award generates Hall of Famers, and when Ovechkin is available, the winning percentage by year will skyrocket.

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy is similar to the Art Ross Trophy in that there is one fixed mathematical perimeter, and it could have existed (albeit under a different name) since the NHL was formed.

The Montreal Canadiens donated the award in honor of Richard, who was the first player to score 50 Goals in an NHL season (which he did in 50 Games) and the first to score 500 in a career.  It was first issued in 1999.

The results are as follows:

There are currently 7 former Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with 3 entering, yielding a percentage of 39.2.  

If we go by yearly winners, there is an increase to 9 eligible years, with 5 of them generating a Hockey Hall of Famer.  That is a 55.5 Percentage.

The following are the past players who have won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and have been enshrined.

1999:  Teemu Selanne, The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Right Wing.  47 Goals, 60 Assists, 107 Points, +18, 14.3 Point Shares.  

Had the Richard existed earlier, this would be Selanne's third win and a successful defense.  As it stands, this was.  Selanne's only Richard trophy, in a year where he finished fifth for the Hart, third in Byng voting, and was a Second Team All-Star.  Selanne's Hall of Fame career also includes a Calder, a Masterton, and a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007.   The "Finnish Flash" lit the lamp 684 times over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

2000:  Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers, Right Wing.  58 Goals, 36 Assists, 94 Points, -25, 13.5 Point Shares.  

The "Finnish Flash" gave way to the "Russian Rocket," who would have won the award in 1993/94 with 60 Goals.  This season, Bure was first in Even Strength Goals (45), Game-Winning Goals (14), and Shots (360), with a Second Team All-Star and a third-place finish in Hart balloting.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2001 (2):  Pavel Bure, Florida Panthers, Right Wing.  59 Goals, 33 Assists, 92 Points, -25, 13.5 Point Shares.  

In the third year of the Richard Trophy, we have our first repeat winner in Bure, who was ninth in Hart voting.  This was his last monster year, as he was beset with injuries, and he last played in the NHL in 2003, netting 428 Goals over 12 seasons.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2002:  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  52 Goals, 44 Assists, 96 Points, +27, 14.4 Point Shares.  

Iginla was on his way to becoming a superstar, but this was the year he accomplished it.  The Calgary Wing also won the Art Ross and the Lester B. Pearson while earning First Team All-Star honors.  The runner-up for the Hart was also first in Even Strength Goals (35).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2004 Co-Winner (2):  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  41 Goals, 32 Assists, 73 Points, +21, 11.1 Point Shares.  

This was the first year where there were Rocket Richard had multiple winners, but with all due respect to Rick Nash and Ilya Kovalchuk, Iginla would be the one who historically stood out.  Iginla was again the Hart runner-up and the first Richard winner to win the King Clancy Award.  He scored 525 Goals over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

The following are the players who have won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

2003:  Milan Hejduk, Colorado Avalanche, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 48 Assists, 98 Points, +52, 14.6 Point Shares. 

Hejduk played all 14 of his NHL seasons with Colorado, and though he helped take the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in 2001, this was his best year.  The Czech Wing not only led the NHL in Goals, but he was also number one in Even Strength Goals (32) and Plus/Minus (+52) and was a Second Team All-Star.  Hejduk scored 375 Goals over his career.

Eligible Since 2016.  Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2004 Co-Winner:  Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing.  41 Goals, 16 Assists, 57 Points, -35, 7.7 Point Shares.

Statistically, Nash is the most fascinating Richard winner to date, as the 2003/04 co-winner (with Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla), and is the only one with a sub -30 Plus/Minus, though, to be fair, Columbus was horrible that the time.  This was also Nash's sophomore year, but his last major accolade in the NHL.  He did play until 2018, netting 437 Goals.

Eligible Since 2021.  Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2006:  Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks, Right Wing.  56 Goals, 37 Assists, 93 Points, +23, 12.7 Point Shares.

Cheechoo's season exploded when Joe Thornton was traded from Boston to the Sharks, and he became and remains the most unexpended Richard winner in award history.  He never had a season like that again and only had 170 Goals over his career.

Eligible Since 2018.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2007:  Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  52 Goals, 56 Assists, 108 Points, +2, 12.7 Point Shares.

Lecavalier was the first Center to win the Richard and was a Second Team All-Star.  A Stanley Cup Champion before, Lecavalier was fourth in Hart voting and won the King Clancy the season after.  He had 421 career Goals.

Eligible Since 2019.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame: 

2004:  Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers, Left Wing.  41 Goals, 46 Losses, 87 Points, -10, 10.6 Point Shares.

Kovalchuk was one of three winners of the 2004 Rocket Richard award, and unless the Atlanta Thrashers are resurrected from the dead, this will be the only winner from Hotlanta.  The Russian star would later have two 50-Goal seasons and scored 328 Goals in the NHL.

Eligible in 2024.

The following are the past players who have won the NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and are still active.

2008:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  65 Goals, 47 Assists, 112 Points, +28, 17.2 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was the first Richard winner (though far from the first player) to have a 60-plus Goal season, and he also won the Hart, Lester B. Pearson, and Art Ross and was a First Team All-Star.  He was also tops in Even Strength Goals (43), Power Play Goals (22), Game-Winning Goals (11), and Shots (446).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2009 (2):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  56 Goals, 54 Assists, 110 Points, +8, 14.5 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was a back-to-back Hart, Pearson, and First Team All-Star, and he was the league leader in Even Strength Goals (36) and Shots (528).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2010 Co-Winner:  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  51 Goals, 58 Assists, 109 Points, +15, 14.7 Point Shares.

Crosby was only in his early 20s, but before he won his first Richard, he was already a Stanley Cup winner, a Hart winner, and a Ted Lindsay Award winner.  He did not win the Hart or Lindsay this season (he was third for the Hart), but "Sid the Kid" won the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2010 Co-Winner:  Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  51 Goals, 54 Assists, 95 Points, -2, 12.8 Point Shares.

Stamkos won his first Richard Trophy and also led the NHL in Power Play Goals (24).  He was sixth in Hart voting.

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2011:  Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 48 Assists, 98 Points, +9, 13.3 Point Shares.

Perry helped take the Ducks to a Stanley Cup win in 2007, and he not only won the Richard this season, but he was also the Hart Trophy winner.  He also topped the NHL in Even Strength Goals (32).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2012 (2):  Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  60 Goals, 37 Assists, 97 Points, +7, 14.6 Point Shares.

Stamkos joined the 60-Goal club, winning his second Richard in the process.  Earning Second Team All-Pro honors and finishing second in for the Hart, Stamkos would later lead the Lightning to two Stanley Cups (2020 & 2021).

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2013 (3):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  32 Goals, 24 Assists, 56 Points, +2, 8.0 Point Shares.

Ovechkin became the first man to win three Richard awards, and as he did in the first two, he was also the Hart Trophy winner.  He was again first in Even Strength Goals (16) and Shots (220).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2014 (4):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  51 Goals, 28 Assists, 79 Points, -35, 10.2 Point Shares.

Now the first four-time Richard winner, Ovechkin failed to win the Hart (he was only 23^rd), but he landed another first-place finish in Power Play Goals (24) and Shots (386).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2015 (5):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  53 Goals, 28 Assists, 81 Points, +10, 12.6 Point Shares.

Not only did Ovechkin win his fifth Richard Trophy, but he also became the first to win it three years in a row.  Ovechkin was also second for the Hart and was the league leader in Power Play Goals (25), Game Winning Goals (11), and Shots (395).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2016 (6):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  50 Goals, 21 Assists, 71 Points, +21, 11.7 Point Shares.

Ovechkin secured his sixth Richard and fourth straight Richard while finishing sixth for the Hart.  He also was first in Even Strength Goals (31), Power Play Goals (19), and Shots (398).

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2017 (2):  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  44 Goals, 45 Assists, 89 Points, +17, 12.3 Point Shares.

Crosby was the runner-up for the Hart Trophy, but he captured a better one with his third Stanley Cup, a back-to-back win.  

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2018 (7):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  49 Goals, 38 Assists, 87 Points, +3, 11.2 Point Shares.

A new streak began in 2017/18 for Ovechkin, whose seventh Richard came with a much bigger prize.  Ovechkin led Washington to a Stanley Cup win this season while also winning the Conn Smythe.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2019 (8):  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  51 Goals, 38 Assists, 89 Points, +7, 11.0 Point Shares.

Ovechkin was a First Team All-Star for the seventh time and was seventh in Hart voting.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2020 Co-winner:  David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins, Right Wing.  48 Goals, 47 Assists, 95 Points, 21, 13.2 Point Shares.

Pastrnak had his breakout campaign, winning the Richard and securing a First Team All-Star at Right Wing.  He was also fourth in Hart voting. 

26 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2020 (9) Co-winner:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  48 Goals, 19 Assists, 67 Points, -12, 8.7 Point Shares.

Ovechkin won the Richard for the ninth time, and we don't know if we will be alive to see that record fall.  We also didn't think that we would be alive to see Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record eclipsed, but that looks to be Ovechkin's in the future. 

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2021:  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  41 Goals, 25 Assists, 66 Points, +21, 9.5 Point Shares.

Matthews won the Calder in 2017, and five years later, he won his second major individual award in the Richard.  The Leafs Center also led the NHL in Even Strength Goals (31), Game-Winning Goals (12), and Shots (222) while finishing second in Hart voting. 

25 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2022 (2):  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  60 Goals, 46 Assists, 106 Points, +20, 13.8 Point Shares.

Matthews repeated as the Richard winner and became the first Maple Leaf to have a 60-Goal year.  He also won the Hart and Ted Lindsay Trophy and was first in Even Strength Goals (44) and Shots (348). 

25 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Like the Art Ross, the Maurice Richard Award is purely based on a statistic but an important one.  There might be some unique and surprise winners, but for the most part, this award generates Hall of Famers, and when Ovechkin is available, the winning percentage by year will skyrocket.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the second year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first one.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 40 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 90 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  90 Cup Points:  47 Games, 39 G, 47 A, 86 P, +2, 9.9 PS.  (#1 on last update)

There are a lot of stories at the near-halfway mark of the 2022/23 NHL Season, with one of the top ones being Connor McDavid running away with every major statistical category.  Last year’s Notinhalloffame NHL Cup winner is extending his lead and he is currently the league-leader in Goals (39), Assists (47), Points (86) and Point Shares (9.9).  

2. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 79 Cup Points:  45 Games, 35 G, 28 A, 63 P, +25, 8.7 PS. (#2 on last update)

The Bruins are one of the NHL’s top teams and Pastrnak is their top scorer.  The Bruins star is averaging 1.40 Points per Game, slightly more than his First Team All-Star campaign in 2019-20.  He currently is leading the NHL in Shots (217).

3 (Tie). Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche. 75 Cup Points:  43 Games, 31 G, 25 A, 56 P, +9, 7.0 PS. (#3 on last update)

Rantanen remains at #3, and is also in the top ten in Goals and Points, while leading the NHL in Even Strength Goals (26).  The Avs star has 1.28 PPG, the highest of his career.

3 (Tie). Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning.  75 Cup Points:  44 Games, 27 G, 22 A, 49 P, +7, 5.9 PS. (#6 on last update)

Point is having a good year, and is a point-per-game player, there are still quite a few players with higher point tallies than the Tampa Center.  Saying that, Point has been the most clutch player for the Lightning, and a reason we love this process!

5. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars.  71 Cup Points:  47 Games, 31 G, 32 A, 63 P, +29, 8.8 PS. (#4 on last update)

Robertson is on pace to shatter last season’s 41-38-79 output, and the fourth-year player is now the undeniable top dog of the Stars lineup.  

6. Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils.  70 Cup Points, 45 Games, 29 G, 27 A, 56 P, +14, 7.1 PS. (#5 on last update)

Hughes explodes back into the top ten, ranked higher in Cup Point standings than he has ever been.  He is already tied with Points total (56) from last season.

7. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs.  68 Cup Points:  44 Games, 24 G, 27 A, 51 P, +20, 6.2 PS.  (#7 on last update)

Matthews is the defending Hart winner but he is not on the PPG pace he was last year, though when Toronto wins, the odds are that he was the biggest reason why.  Is this season a disappointment so far for Matthews?

8. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers, 66 Cup Points:  45 Games, 27 G, 45 A, 72 P, +4, 7.7 PS.  (Not on last update)

The 2020 Hart Trophy winner returns to the top ten and gives the Oilers two players in the upper-tier.

9. Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers, 63 Cup Points:  44 Games, 24 G, 34 A, 58 P, +9, 6.5 PS.  (not on last update)

Matthew’s brother, Brady was once in the top ten, but this his first time here this season.

10 (Tie). Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars.  62 Cup Points:  34 Games, 20-7-4, 2.26 GAA, .924 Save Percentage, 7.3 PS.  (not on last update)

In his third season, Oettinger is playing the best hockey of his life.

10 (Tie). Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets.  62 Cup Points:  35 Games, 22-12-1, 2.43 GAA, .923 Save Percentage, 8.1 PS.  (not on last update)

A former Vezina winner, Hellebuyck is a contender for that trophy this year.

Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprisov, Boston’s Linus Ullmark, Pittsburgh’s Sdney Crosby and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin fell off the top ten.

Our next update will occur when the first player breaks 100 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the second year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first one.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 40 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 80 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  80 Cup Points:  43 Games, 35 G, 44 A, 79 P, +2, 9.0 PS.  (#1 on last update)

There are a lot of stories at the near-halfway mark of the 2022/23 NHL Season, with one of the top ones being Connor McDavid running away with every major statistical category.  Last year’s Notinhalloffame NHL Cup winner is extending his lead and he is currently the league-leader in Goals (35), Assists (44), Points (79) and Point Shares (9.0).  

2. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 74 Cup Points:  40 Games, 32 G, 26 A, 58 P, +20, 7.9 PS. (#3 on last update)

The Bruins are one of the NHL’s top teams and Pastrnak is their top scorer.  The Bruins star is averaging 1.39 Points per Game, slightly more than his First Team All-Star campaign in 2019-20.

3 (Tie). Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche. 68 Cup Points:  39 Games, 27 G, 23 A, 50 P, +6, 6.1 PS. (#3 on last update)

Rantanen remains at #3, and is also in the top ten in Goals and Points, while leading the NHL in Even Strength Goals (22).  The Avs star has 1.28 PPG, the highest of his career.

3 (Tie). Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars.  68 Cup Points:  42 Games, 29 G, 29 A, 58 P, +23, 8.1 PS. (#6 on last update)

Robertson is on pace to shatter last season’s 41-38-79 output, and the fourth-year player is now the undeniable top dog of the Stars lineup.  He is currently tied for the league-lead in Even Strength Goals (22). 

5. Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils.  63 Cup Points, 41 Games, 26 G, 23 A, 49 P, +14, 6.4 PS. (not on last update)

Hughes explodes back into the top ten, ranked higher in Cup Point standings than he has ever been.  He is seven Points away from tying last year’s number.

6. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning, 62 Cup Points:  39 Games, 23 G, 17 A, 40 P, +2, 4.7 PS. (#2 on last update)

Point drops large from #2, and though he is having a good year, and is a point-per-game player, there are still quite a few players with higher point tallies than the Tampa Center.  Saying that, Point has been the most clutch player for the Lightning, and a reason we love this process!

7. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs.  60 Cup Points:  41 Games, 20 G, 27 A, 47 P, +17, 5.5 PS.  (#7 on last update)

Matthews is the defending Hart winner but he is not on the PPG pace he was last year, though when Toronto wins, the odds are that he was the biggest reason why.  Is this season a disappointment so far for Matthews?

8 (Tie). Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild.  58 Cup Points:  40 Games, 24 G, 25 A, 49 P, -1, 5.6 PS. (#8 on last update)

Kaprizov is easily Minnesota’s best player and if he stays healthy should have his second straight 100-Point year.

8 (Tie). Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins.  58 Cup Points:  26 Games, 22-1-1, 1.87 GAA, .938 Save Percentage, 6.9 PS.  (#8 on last update)

Ullmark is the highest ranked Goalie, and his ascendence to likely All-Star has been colossal for Boston’s rise to the top portion of the standings.  Ullmark leads all Goalies in Wins, GAA, Save Percentage and Goalie Point Shares.

10 (Tie). Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 57 Cup Points:  40 Games, 21 G, 27 A, 48 P, +1, 5.3 PS.  (Not on last update)

Crosby is back where he belongs in the top ten, and he has never had a year where he averaged less than a Point per Game.

10 (Tie). Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, 57 Cup Points:  39 Games, 29 G, 19 A, 48 P, 0, 5.9 PS.  (#9 on last update)

Ovechkin is closing on Wayne Gretzky’s all-time Goal record, and is tied currently with Sidney Crosby.  How perfect is that?

Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson fell off the top ten.

Our next update will occur when the first player breaks 90 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the second year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first one.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 40 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 70 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  70 Cup Points:  38 Games, 32 G, 40 A, 72 P, +5, 8.4 PS.  (#1 on last update)

There are a lot of stories at the near-halfway mark of the 2022/23 NHL Season, with one of the top ones being Connor McDavid running away with every major statistical category.  Last year’s Notinhalloffame NHL Cup winner is extending his lead and he is currently the league-leader in Goals (32), Assists (40), Points (72) and Point Shares (8.4), and was recently on a 17-Game Point streak.  

2. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning, 62 Cup Points:  35 Games, 21 G, 16 A, 37 P, +6, 4.5 PS. (#3 on last update)

Point is an intriguing figure at #2, and though he is having a good year, and is a point-per-game player, there are quite a few players with higher point tallies than Point.  Saying that, Point has been the most clutch player for the Lightning, who are on a five-game win streak.  This is why we love the NIHOF Cups!

3 (Tie). David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 61 Cup Points:  36 Games, 25 G, 25 A, 50 P, +13, 6.4 PS. (#9 on last update)

The Bruins are one of the NHL’s top teams and Pastrnak is their top scorer.  The Bruins star is averaging 1.39 Points per Game, slightly more than his First Team All-Star campaign in 2019-20.

3 (Tie). Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche. 61 Cup Points:  35 Games, 24 G, 21 A, 45 P, +6, 5.6 PS. (not on last update)

Rantanen rockets into the top ten, and is also in the top ten in Goals and Points, while leading the NHL in Even Strength Goals (20).  The Avs star has 1.29 PPG, the highest of his career.

5. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs.  60 Cup Points:  37 Games, 18 G, 24 A, 42 P, +17, 5.0 PS.  (#2 on last update)

Matthews is the defending Hart winner but he is not on the PPG pace he was last year, though when Toronto wins, the odds are that he was the biggest reason why.  Is this season is a disappointment so far for Matthews?

6 (Tie). Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars.  54 Cup Points:  38 Games, 25 G, 29 A, 54 P, +19, 7.3 PS. (#6 on last update)

Robertson is on pace to shatter last season’s 41-38-79 output, and the fourth-year player is now the undeniable top dog of the Stars lineup.  He is currently third overall in Points.

6 (Tie). Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild.  54 Cup Points:  36 Games, 20 G, 25 A, 45 P, -2, 5.0 PS. (#8 on last update)

Kaprizov is easily Minnesota’s best player and if he stays healthy should have his second straight 100-Point year.

8. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks.  52 Cup Points, 34 Games, 17 G, 27 A, 44 P, +11, 4.9 PS. (#9 on last update)

The 2019 Calder winner looks to be on his way to his best statistical year in the NHL.

9 (Tie). Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins.  51 Cup Points:  24 Games, 20-1-1, 1.90 GAA, .938 Save Percentage, 6.3 PS.  (#9 on last update)

Ullmark is the highest ranked Goalie, and his ascendence to likely All-Star has been colossal for Boston’s rise to the top portion of the standings.  Ullmark leads all Goalies in Wins, GAA, Save Percentage and Goalie Point Shares.

9 (Tie). Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, 51 Cup Points:  39 Games, 26 G, 19 A, 45 P, 0, 5.6 PS.  (Not on last update)

Ovechkin breaks into the top ten, and is closing on Wayne Gretzky’s all-time Goal record.  We once thought that was untouchable.

Edmonton’s Leon Draisail (surprisingly, as he is currently second to his teammate, Connor McDavid in Points) and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby have fallen off the top ten.

Our next update will occur when the first player breaks 80 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the second year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first one.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 40 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 60 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  60 Cup Points:  30 Games, 26 G, 33 A, 59 P, +8, 6.9 PS.  (#1 on last update)

Last year’s winner is extending his lead and he is currently the league-leader in Goals (26), Assists (33), Points (59) and Point Shares (6.9).  

2. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs.  51 Cup Points:  30 Games, 15 G, 20 A, 35 P, +15, 4.1 PS.  (#2 on last update)

Matthews is the defending Hart winner but he is not on the PPG pace he was last year.  Still, he is Toronto’s best player and is near the top of the Cup Standings, though he is not currently in the top ten this year in any major category other than Shots (4^th with 134).

3. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning, 48 Cup Points:  28 Games, 15 G, 15 A, 30 P, 0, 3.2 PS. (Not ranked on last update)

Point rocketed to number three on the strength of five Goals in the last four Games.  The last year that Point averaged over one in PPG was 2018/19. 

4. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers. 47 Cup Points:  30 Games, 21 G, 30 A, 51 P, +8, 5.7 PS.  (Not ranked on last update)

Draisaitl has been on fire lately with nine Points in his last four Games, and catapulted himself to number 4.  He is currently the leader in Power Play Goals (9) and Game Winning Goals (8).

5. Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins.  46 Cup Points:  20 Games, 17-1-0, 1.83 GAA, .938 Save Percentage, 5.1 PS.  (#9 on last update)

Ullmark is the highest ranked Goalie, and his ascendence to likely All-Star has been colossal for Boston’s rise to the top of the standings.  Ullmark leads all Goalies in Wins, GAA, Save Percentage and Goalie Point Shares.

6 (Tie). Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars.  45 Cup Points:  30 Games, 23 G, 20 A, 43 P, +15, 6.1 PS. (#3 on last update)

Robertson is the current leader in Even Strength Goals (17), and is on pace to shatter last season’s 41-38-79 output.

6 (Tie). Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 45 Cup Points:  29 Games, 17 G, 21 A, 38 P, +5, 4.3 PS.  (#9 on last update)

Crosby has done it all in hockey, but he has never won the Notinhalloffame Cup.

8. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild.  44 Cup Points:  28 Games, 17 G, 18 A, 35 P, -8, 3.8 PS. (#4 on last update)

Kaprizov is easily Minnesota’s best player and if he stays healthy should have his second straight 100-Point year.

9 (Tie). David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 43 Cup Points:  28 Games, 19 G, 20 A, 39 P, +11, 5.0 PS. (#7 on last update)

The Bruins are one of the NHL’s top teams and Pastrnak is their top scorer.  Boston has two players in the top ten along with Edmonton.

9. (Tie). Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks.  43 Cup Points, 28 Games, 13 G, 21 A, 34 P, +4, 3.6 PS. (#7 on last update)

The 2019 Calder winner looks to be on his way to his best statistical year in the NHL.

Brady Tkachuk and Sebastian Aho have fallen off the top ten.

Our next update will occur when the first player breaks 70 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the second year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first one.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 50 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 50 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  54 Cup Points:  27 Games, 24 G, 28 A, 52 P, +6, 6.1 PS.  (#2 on last update)

Last year’s winner has overtaken Auston Matthews for number one as the first player to crack 50 Cup Points, and is also the only player as of this writing to have over 50 Points.  With 13 Points in his last five Games, he is currently the league-leader in Goals (24), Assists (28), Points (52) and Point Shares (6.1).  

2. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs.  48 Cup Points:  27 Games, 13 G, 17 A, 30 P, +10, 3.4 PS.  (#1 on last update)

Matthews is the defending Hart winner but he is not on the PPG pace he was last year.  Still, he is Toronto’s best player and is near the top of the Cup Standings, though he is not currently in the top ten this year in any major category other than Shots (6^th with 115).

3. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars.  45 Cup Points:  26 Games, 23 G, 18 A, 41 P, +15, 5.8 PS. (#3 on last update)

Robertson is the current leader in Even Strength Goals (17), second in Goals (23), third in Points (41), and is on pace to shatter last season’s 41-38-79 output.

4. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild.  44 Cup Points:  25 Games, 17 G, 16 A, 33 P, -8, 3.6 PS. (#7 on last update)

Kaprizov is easily Minnesota’s best player and if he stays healthy should have his second straight 100-Point year.

5 (Tie). David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 43 Cup Points:  25 Games, 18 G, 18 A, 36 P, +11, 4.6 PS. (#3 on last update)

The Bruins are one of the NHL’s top teams and Pastrnak is their top scorer.  He is currently fifth in Points.

5 (Tie). Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks.  43 Cup Points, 27 Games, 13 G, 21 A, 34 P, +6, 3.6 PS. (Not in the top ten on last update)

The 2019 Calder winner looks to be on his way to his best statistical year in the NHL.

7 (Tie). Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins.  41 Cup Points:  18 Games, 15-1-0, 1.82 GAA, .939 Save Percentage, 4.6 PS.  (#7 on last update)

Ullmark is the highest ranked Goalie, and he is the second Bruin in the top ten.  His ascendence to likely All-Star has been colossal for Boston’s rise to the top of the standings.  Ullmark leads all Goalies in Wins, GAA< Save Percentage and Goalie Point Shares.

7 (Tie). Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators, 41 Cup Points:  25 Games, 12 G, 17 A, 29 P, -8, 3.0 PS. (#5 on last update)

Ottawa has been abysmal this year, but Tkachuk had taken his game to the next level and should finish the year with his best numbers by far.

9 (Tie). Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes. 40 Cup Points:  26 Games, 11 G, 16 A, 27 P, +2, 2.9 PS.  (Not in the top ten on last update)

Aho has twice scored 80 Points in a season, and if he keeps his current pace will make it three.

9 (Tie). Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 40 Cup Points:  26 Games, 15 G, 20 A, 35 P, +4, 3.8 PS.  (Not in the top ten on last update)

Crosby has done it all in hockey, but he has never won the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup!

Karlsson is the highest ranked Defenseman, and is currently the highest scoring blueliner in the NHL.

Nick Suzuki, Jack Hughes and Erik Karlsson have fallen off the top ten.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the second year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first one.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 40 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 40 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Auston Matthews, Edmonton Oilers 43 Points:  24 Games, 11 G, 15 A, 26 P, +7, 2.9 PS.

Matthews is the defending Hart winner but he is not on the PPG pace he was last year.  Still, he is Toronto’s best player and is leading the standings here, showing that he has not had to share Cup Points with his teammates as much as the player below. 

2. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 42 Points:  22 Games, 17 G, 22 A, 39 P, +2, 4.4 PS.

Last year’s winner is chasing last year’s runner-up, with McDavid currently topping the NHL in Points (39) and Power Play Goals (9).  If he wins the Art Ross this year, it will be his fifth.

3 (Tie). David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins, 37 Points:  21 Games, 14 G, 18 A, 32 P, +10, 4.0 PS.

The Bruins are the NHL’s top team and Pastrnak is their top scorer.  He is currently fifth in Points.

3 (Tie). Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars, 37 Points:  23 Games, 19 G, 17 A, 37 P, +13, 5.1 PS.

Robertson is the current leader in Goals (19), Even Strength Goals (15), and is on pace to shatter last season’s 41-38-79 output.

5 (Tie). Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens, 36 Points, 23 Points:  23 Games, 12 G, 12 A, 24 P, +3, 3.0 PS.

Although Suzuki is Montreal’s leading scorer, he is not in the top ten in any offensive statistic, but when the Habs win, chances are that Suzuki was the main reason.

5 (Tie). Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators, 36 Points:  21 Games, 9 G, 16 A, 25 P, -7, 2.4 PS.

Ottawa has been abysmal this year, but Tkachuk had taken his game to the next level and should finish the year with his best numbers by far.

7 (Tie). Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins, 35 Points:  16 Games, 13-1-0, 2.00 GAA, .935 Save Percentage, 3.9 PS.

Ullmark is the highest ranked Goalie, and he is the second Bruin in the top ten.  His ascendence to likely All-Star has been colossal for Boston’s rise to the top of the standings.

7 (Tie). Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild, 35 Points:  21 Games, 13 G, 14 A, 27 P, -6, 3.0 PS.

Kaprizov is easily Minnesota’s best player and if he stays healthy should have his second straight 100-Point year.

7 (Tie). Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils, 35 Points:  23 Games, 12 G, 14 A, 26 P, +10, 3.3 PS.

The Devils are surpassing everyone’s expectations with Hughes leading the way.  The 21-year-old Center will likely be named an All-Star this year.

7 (Tie). Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks, 35 Points:  24 Games, 11 G, 21 A, 32 P, -2, 4.7 PS.

Karlsson is the highest ranked Defenseman, and is currently the highest scoring blueliner in the NHL.

Following the announcement of Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets winning the second of our Notinhalloffame.com Cup, we are pleased to announce that during the regular NHL season, we did the same thing.

Here are the rules.

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.  A whopping, 810 players received at least one point, with 19 cracking at least 100.  

The top players for the NHL NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points.  It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.  

Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency.  Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.  

(Yes, we know this is verbatim what we wrote for the NBA CUP, but it is all accurate!)

So, NHL players!  Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

Here are the top 100 2021/22 rankings for the NBA NIHOF CUP:

1. Connor McDavid: Edmonton Oilers, Center:

148 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.85 Cup Points per Game, 44 Goals, 79 Assists, 123 Points, +28, 26 Blocked Shots, 75 Hits, 73 Takeaways, 68 Giveaways, 13.8 Point Shares. 

In his seventh NHL Season, McDavid won his fourth Art Ross Trophy, and set career-highs in Goals, Assists, Points and Point Shares.  Beginning the season on a 17-Game Point streak, McDavid keeps getting better and he might be the best stickhandler in the game over the last five years.  The Oilers Center went to his fifth All-Star Game, was fifth in Point Shares and should be among the top five players in Hockey over the next five years.

2. Auston Matthews: Toronto Maple Leafs, Center:

148 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.86 Cup Points per Game, 60 Goals, 46 Assists, 106 Points, +20, 62 Blocked Shots, 67 Hits, 92 Takeaways, 48 Giveaways, 13.7 Point Shares. 

Matthews might behind McDavid in both Cup Points and Points, but the 2016/17 Rookie of the Year is for our money the league MVP this season.  He led the league in Goals, Shots (348), and was slightly higher than McDavid in Cup Points per Game, which considering the greater depth of Toronto than Edmonton is very impressive.  Matthews set the Leafs record for Goals per Season, and he won his second Rocket Richard Award as the top Goal Scorer.  Notably, Matthews becomes the first skater in ten years since Steven Stamkos to crack 60 Goals.  The American Center still has incredible upside.

3. Kirill Kaprizov: Minnesota Wild, Left Wing:

126 Cup Points, 81 Games, 1.56 Cup Points per Game, 47 Goals, 61 Assists, 108 Points, +27, 29 Blocked Shots, 73 Hits, 57 Takeaways, 72 Giveaways, 12.6 Point Shares. 

Last year’s Calder Trophy winner, is actually now 25, and with his past experience in Russia, is far more seasoned beyond what his NHL tenure suggests.  One of the top Wings in the NHL, Kaprizov went to his first All-Star Game this year, and was fifth in Goals and Points, and he is now the single-season Wild record holder in Goals, Assists and Points.  There is no doubt who is now the top star in Minnesota.

4. Leon Draisaitl: Edmonton Oilers, Center:

123 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.54 Cup Points per Game, 55 Goals, 55 Assists, 110 Points, +17, 25 Blocked Shots, 53 Hits, 74 Takeaways, 88 Giveaways, 13.2 Point Shares. 

It did not take long for a team to have two players in our top 100, and going into this season, it would have been the Oilers that we would have pegged as the team.  Draisaitl won the Art Ross two years ago, was fourth this year, and was second in Goals this season, while leading the NHL in Game-Winning Goals with 11.  As phenomenal as it is to see two players from Edmonton crack the top five, it also should be mentioned that there will not be a third, showcasing the lack of depth of the Oilers.

5. Alex Ovechkin: Washington Capitals, Left Wing:

122 Cup Points, 77 Games, 1.58 Cup Points per Game, 50 Goals, 40 Assists, 90 Points, +8, 25 Blocked Shots, 156 Hits, 32 Takeaways, 50 Giveaways, 11.2 Point Shares. 

Ovechkin might look a lot older, but his play on the ice defies his exterior.  For the first time since 2009/10, Ovie had at least 90 Points, and he had his ninth 50-Goal year, tying Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky, and becoming the oldest player ever to hit that mark.  After all this time, Ovechkin is still the best player for the Capitals, and the now eight-time All-Star is now 124 Goals behind Wayne Gretzky for the all-time lead.  We wouldn’t bet against him.

6. Igor Shesterkin: New York Rangers, Goalie:

118 Cup Points, 53 Games, 2.23 Cup Points per Game, 36 Wins, 29 Losses, 7 Ties/Overtime Losses, .935 Save Percentage, 2.07 Goals Against Average, 13.4 Goalie Point Shares

The top six is populated half by Russians, and we have our first Goalie, Igor Shesterkin, who is only in his third year in the NHL.  Shesterkin led the NHL in Save Percentage, GAA, GA% (70), GSAA (44.9) and adjGAA (2.11).  It was a dominating performance by Shesterkin, and bluntly, Goalies have an easier time amassing Cup Points as shown by Shesterkin’s Cup Points per Game Average.   

7. Johnny Gaudreau: Calgary Flames, Left Wing:

117 Cup Points, 82 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game, 40 Goals, 75 Assists, 115 Points, +64, 9 Blocked Shots, 10 Hits, 50 Takeaways, 81 Giveaways, 14.6 Point Shares. 

This is the best season of Gaudreau’s life, as he not only posted highs in Goals, Assists and Points (all by wide margins), but he blew his previous Plus/Minus number away with a league-leading +64, 46 higher than his previous high.  Gaudreau was a previous Lady Byng Trophy winner and he could win another this year.

8. Jonathan Huberdeau: Florida Panthers, Left Wing:

113 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.41 Cup Points per Game, 30 Goals, 85 Assists, 115 Points, +35, 28 Blocked Shots, 99 Hits, 63 Takeaways, 85 Giveaways, 11.9 Point Shares. 

This season, Huberdeau destroyed the record for Left Wingers in Assists by 14, and he cracked the 100 Point plateau for the first time in his ten-year career.  This is also the first year that he led the NHL in any major category (Assists), and he set the Panthers single-season record for Points.  Huberdeau also tied for second in Points this year.

9. Juuse Saros: Nashville Predators, Goalie:

112 Cup Points, 67 Games, 1.67 Cup Points per Game, 38 Wins, 25 Losses, 3 Ties/Overtime Losses, .918 Save Percentage, 2.64 Goals Against Average, 13.8 Goalie Point Shares

Saros led the NHL this year in Point Shares while also logging the most minutes of any Goalie (3,931).  This is arguably Saros’ best year to date, and he is the highest Scandinavian player in regards to Cup Points.  An All-Star for the first time, Saros may not have finished in the top ten in GAA, but his Save Percentage was, and he was the workhorse of the year, not just for Nashville but for the entire league.

10. (Tie) Jacob Markstrom: Calgary Flames, Goalie:

106 Cup Points, 63 Games, 1.68 Cup Points per Game, 37 Wins, 15 Losses, 9 Ties/Overtime Losses, .922 Save Percentage, 2.22 Goals Against Average, 12.2 Goalie Point Shares

Our highest rated player from Sweden, the Flames join their provincial rival as the only team with at least two players in the top ten.  Markstrom is coming off his best season in his 12 North American campaigns, and he led the NHL in Shutouts (9), which is more than the eight he had over the rest of his career.  He finished in the top four in Save Percentage and GAA, and logged the fifth most minutes between the pipes (3,696).

10. (Tie) Matthew Tkachuk: Calgary Flames, Right Wing:

106 Cup Points, 82 Games, 1.30 Cup Points per Game, 42 Goals, 62 Assists, 104 Points, +57, 20 Blocked Shots, 93 Hits, 41 Takeaways, 91 Giveaways, 13.5 Point Shares. 

With the 10^th place tie, the Flames have three players in the top ten, and two on the same line with Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau.  The line (with another player you will see shortly) was the most explosive in hockey, and Tkachuk shattered his previous high of 77 Points with 104.  He was third in Plus/Minus this year, and for the first time, made the top ten in Goals and Points.

12. Steven Stamkos: Tampa Bay Lightning, Center: 

105 Cup Points, 81 Games, 1.30 Cup Points per Game, 42 Goals, 64 Assists, 106 Points, +24, 31 Blocked Shots, 93 Hits, 30 Takeaways, 24 Giveaways, 12.4 Point Shares. 

Stamkos never stops scoring, and though the two-time Rocket Richard winner is into his 30s, he is still one of Tampa’s most potent weapons.  A member of the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, Stamkos finally had his first 100 Point year, and also tied for the league-lead in Game-Winning Goals (11).  Next year, Stamkos should eclipse 500 Goals and 1,000 Points.

13. (Tie) David Pastrnak: Boston Bruins, Right Wing

104 Cup Points, 72 Games, 1.41 Cup Points per Game, 40 Goals, 37 Assists, 77 Points, +13, 14 Blocked Shots, 63 Hits, 36 Takeaways, 77 Giveaways, 9.6 Point Shares. 

The Boston Bruins and Czech Republic get on the board with Pastrnak, whose stat line looks like he should be ten to twenty spots lower, but when the Bruins won this season, it was Pastrnak who was their top player.  Pastrnak is two years removed from winning the Rocket Richard Trophy and could win another in the future.

13. (Tie) Chris Kreider: New York Rangers, Left Wing

104 Cup Points, 81 Games, 1.28 Cup Points per Game, 52 Goals, 25 Assists, 77 Points, +19, 39 Blocked Shots, 141 Hits, 27 Takeaways, 45 Giveaways, 10.7 Point Shares. 

This might turn out to be Kreider’s career year, as for the first time in ten years, he cracked 50 Goals, and led the NHL in Power Play Goals (26) and Game-Winning Goals (11).  This year’s power play prowess set a franchise record for the Rangers, while also going to his second All-Star Game.  At the age of 30, this might the peak for Kreider.

15. Artemi Panarin: New York Rangers, Left Wing

102 Cup Points, 75 Games, 1.36 Cup Points per Game, 22 Goals, 74 Assists, 96 Points, +21, 14 Blocked Shots, 22 Hits, 56 Takeaways, 71 Giveaways, 9.8 Point Shares. 

Panarin is in his seventh NHL season, and this year, he broke his single-season Point mark by one, and was fourth in Assists.  The former Calder Trophy winner was the Ranger’s highest scorer, and is also a fringe contender for this year’s Lady Byng.

16. (Tie) Filip Forsberg: Nashville Predators, Center

101 Cup Points, 69 Games, 1.48 Cup Points per Game, 42 Goals, 42 Assists, 84 Points, +12, 48 Blocked Shots, 112 Hits, 53 Takeaways, 56 Giveaways, 10.2 Point Shares. 

Forsberg overtook David Legwand as the all-time Predators leading scorer, doing so when he posted career-highs in Goals, Assists and Points.  The Swedish Center finished ninth in Goals and Even Strength Goals, with a fifth-place finish in Goals per Game.

16. (Tie) J.T. Miller: Vancouver Canucks, Center

101 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 32 Goals, 67 Assists, 99 Points, +15, 56 Blocked Shots, 172 Hits, 55 Takeaways, 62 Giveaways, 10.6 Point Shares. 

Like the player below he is tied with, Miller is the highest ranked Cup Point player on a team that failed to make the playoffs.  This was the best year of Miller’s career, and he was easily the top skater for the Canucks, and he finished the campaign sixth in Assists and tenth in Points.  

16. (Tie) Kyle Connor: Winnipeg Jets, Left Wing

101 Cup Points, 79 Games, 1.28 Cup Points per Game, 47 Goals, 46 Assists, 93 Points, -3, 23 Blocked Shots, 32 Hits, 66 Takeaways, 47 Giveaways, 10.5 Point Shares. 

Tied with Miller above, both skaters were unable to will their teams to the playoffs, though Connor is the first to have a negative Plus/Minus.  Considering Winnipeg allowed more Goals than they scored, and were constantly outshot, Connor’s -3 does not penalize him by much.  Connor also went to his first All-Star Game this year, and finished the year second in Even Strength Goals (36), fifth in Goals and sixth in Game-Winning Goals (9).

19. Mikko Rantanen: Colorado Avalanche, Right Wing

100 Cup Points, 75 Games, 1.33 Cup Points per Game, 36 Goals, 56 Assists, 92 Points, +35, 43 Blocked Shots, 58 Hits, 48 Takeaways, 49 Giveaways, 10.5 Point Shares. 

From Finland, Rantanen exceeded 90 Points for the first time this season, and he led the NHL in Power Play Goals On-Ice For (54).  While Rantanen set career-high in the Scoring stat lines, this was his first season where his Shot Percentage dipped below 15.

20. (Tie) Roman Josi: Nashville Predators, Defense

99 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.24 Cup Points per Game, 23 Goals, 73 Assists, 96 Points, +13, 133 Blocked Shots, 66 Hits, 48 Takeaways, 71 Giveaways, 13.9 Point Shares. 

NIHOF Cup Points are far easier for Forwards than Defenseman, and where Josi fell, tells us that for next year we have to tweak this for Blueliners.  Josi should be the highest ranked Defenseman, and the former Norris Trophy winner should win it again this year, though the advanced metrics show that while Josi’s offense has never been better, this was not close to his best pure defensive season.

20. (Tie) Alex DeBrincat: Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing

99 Cup Points, 82 Games, 1.21 Cup Points per Game, 41 Goals, 37 Assists, 78 Points, -13, 35 Blocked Shots, 101 Hits, 67 Takeaways, 47 Giveaways, 8.4 Point Shares. 

While it isn’t really DeBrincat’s team, in terms of talent, we can argue that Chicago IS his team.  The native of Michigan went to his first All-Star Game this year, and he matched his 41 Goals from his 2018-19 sophomore season.  While he is already a very good player, DeBrincat could go to another level next season.

22. Mitch Marner: Toronto Maple Leafs, Right Wing

97 Cup Points, 72 Games, 1.25 Cup Points per Game, 35 Goals, 62 Assists, 97 Points, +23, 35 Blocked Shots, 101 Hits, 67 Takeaways, 47 Giveaways, 10.6 Point Shares. 

Marner was a First Team All-Star last year, and the six-year pro has proven himself as a secondary star on a loaded Toronto squad.  Marner set personal bests in Goals and Points, and was eighth this year in Assists per Game (0.86).

23. Roope Hintz: Dallas Stars, Left Wing

96 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.25 Cup Points per Game, 37 Goals, 35 Assists, 72 Points, +15, 53 Blocked Shots, 82 Hits, 24 Takeaways, 49 Giveaways, 8.8 Point Shares. 

As good as Dallas were this year, there was no breakaway player, thus leading Hintz to have a rank this high.  The Finnish forward was on the Stars top line and was a clutch performer throughout the year.

24. Nathan MacKinnon: Colorado Avalanche, Center

94 Cup Points, 65 Games, 1.45 Cup Points per Game, 32 Goals, 56 Assists, 88 Points, +22, 39 Blocked Shots, 68 Hits, 37 Takeaways, 56 Giveaways, 9.6 Point Shares. 

MacKinnon had his fourth of five NHL years where he had at least 85 Points and the career-Avalanche player and two-time Second Team All-Star is poised to crack three digits in Points over the next three NHL seasons.  

25. Frederik Andersen: Carolina Hurricanes, Goalie:

93 Cup Points, 52 Games, 1.79 Cup Points per Game, 35 Wins, 14 Losses, 3 Ties/Overtime Losses, .922 Save Percentage, 2.17 Goals Against Average, 10.1 Goalie Point Shares

Andersen is in his first year in Carolina, with him earing his first All-Star Game appearance.  The balanced Hurricanes team has a netminder this year that could potentially take his squad to another level.

26. (Tie) Andrei Svechnikov: Carolina Hurricanes, Right Wing:

92 Cup Points, 78 Games, 1.18 Cup Points per Game, 30 Goals, 39 Assists, 69 Points, +19, 15 Blocked Shots, 189 Hits, 44 Takeaways, 72 Giveaways, 7.9 Point Shares. 

The Second Overall Pick from 2018, Svechnikov continues his gradual improvement, not only in Points, but also in Hits, finishing with 189.  Still, a streaky player, Svechnikov had man games for the talented Canes squad where he was their top performer, but at age 22, he still has room to grow to become a more rounded player.

26. (Tie) Aleksander Barkov: Florida Panthers, Center:

92 Cup Points, 67 Games, 1.37 Cup Points per Game, 39 Goals, 49 Assists, 88 Points, +36, 42 Blocked Shots, 50 Hits, 59 Takeaways, 51 Giveaways, 10.6 Point Shares. 

A special under-the-radar player due to playing on a low-profile team, Barkov is a former Lady Byng and Selke Winner, while finishing eighth in Goals per Game (0.58).  Jonathan Huberdeau took a few of Barkov’s Cup Points away, and playing 67 Games also cost him a potential top ten finish.

26. (Tie) Kevin Fiala: Minnesota Wild, Left Wing:

92 Cup Points, 82 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 33 Goals, 52 Assists, 85 Points, +23, 21 Blocked Shots, 52 Hits, 38 Takeaways, 54 Giveaways, 9.1 Point Shares. 

A special under-the-radar player due to playing on a low-profile team, Barkov is a former Lady Byng and Selke Winner, while finishing eighth in Goals per Game (0.58).  Jonathan Huberdeau took a few of Barkov’s Cup Points away, and playing 67 Games also cost him a potential top ten finish.

26. (Tie) Timo Meier: San Jose Sharks, Right Wing:

92 Cup Points, 77 Games, 1.20 Cup Points per Game, 35 Goals, 41 Assists, 76 Points, -3, 61 Blocked Shots, 152 Hits, 49 Takeaways, 53 Giveaways, 8.5 Point Shares. 

The San Jose Sharks and the growing nation of Switzerland crack the board with Meier having his best year to date, and making his first All-Star Game.  Meier also made history this year as the first Shark to score five Goals in a Game.

26. (Tie) William Nylander: Toronto Maple Leafs, Center:

92 Cup Points, 81 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 34 Goals, 46 Assists, 80 Points, -9, 30 Blocked Shots, 19 Hits, 59 Takeaways, 33 Giveaways, 7.8 Point Shares. 

Nylander has never been known for his two-way play, but there are other players with the Maple Leafs who can accomplish that, freeing Nylander to focus on what he does best.  He set personal records in Goals, Assists, Points and is coming off the most usage of his career, though Nylander is in a system that benefits his style.

31. Vladimir Tarasenko: St. Louis Blues, Right Wing:

91 Cup Points, 75 Games, 1.21 Cup Points per Game, 34 Goals, 48 Assists, 82 Points, +7, 45 Blocked Shots, 83 Hits, 17 Takeaways, 31 Giveaways, 8.9 Point Shares. 

Tarasenko asked to be traded at the start of the season due to his frustration on how the club handled his shoulder issues, but he remained a Blue the whole year, and St. Louis’ top player, and his team’s highest in Cup Points.  The Russian Right Wing posted a career-high 82 Points.

32. Jason Robertson: Dallas Stars, Left Wing:

90 Cup Points, 74 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 41 Goals, 38 Assists, 79 Points, +16, 24 Blocked Shots, 50 Hits, 48 Takeaways, 50 Giveaways, 10.0 Point Shares. 

Last year’s runner up for the Calder to Kirill Kaprisov, Jason Robertson is the first Dallas Star on the list, and pardon the pun, one of the game’s fastest rising star.  Robertson became the first player in Dallas history to have hat tricks in back-to-back games, and he had a share of the league-lead in Game Winning Goals (11).

33. Ilya Sorokin: New York Islanders, Goalie:

89 Cup Points, 52 Games, 1.71 Cup Points per Game, 26 Wins, 18 Losses, 8 Ties/Overtime Losses, .925 Save Percentage, 2.40 Goals Against Average, 12.0 Goalie Point Shares

A five-time KHL All-Star and now an NHL sophomore, Sorokin had a really good year, albeit on a team that treaded water.  The Islander with the most Cup Points, Sorokin was second in Save Percentage, fourth in GAA, and eighth in Goalie Point Shares.  If New York had better horses in front of Sorokin, he is capable of taking the Isles in a deep playoff run.

34. (Tie) Sebastian Aho: Carolina Hurricanes, Center & Left Wing:

88 Cup Points, 79 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 37 Goals, 44 Assists, 81 Points, +18, 23 Blocked Shots, 76 Hits, 68 Takeaways, 56 Giveaways, 9.4 Point Shares. 

In Aho’s sixth season, Aho posted his second 80-Point plus year, but had his best power play year with 28 Points on the advantage, his current high.  Aho went to his second All-Star Game this year, and also had a career-best nine Game-Winning Goals. 

34. (Tie) Brady Tkachuk: Ottawa Senators, Left Wing:

88 Cup Points, 79 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 30 Goals, 37 Assists, 67 Points, -7, 25 Blocked Shots, 270 Hits, 41 Takeaways, 68 Giveaways, 7.1 Point Shares. 

This is the perfect example of how you can accumulate Cup Points on a bad team, when you are one of the few scorers, as Brady Tkachuk’s 67 Points do not seem like he should be this high, but when Ottawa did score, chances were that Tkachuk would be around it.  The fact that he amassed 270 Hits this year, also helped him.  This is his best season to date of his four-year career, Tkachuk was Ottawa’s highest Cup Point getter.

36. (Tie) Sidney Crosby: Pittsburgh Penguins, Center:

87 Cup Points, 69 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 31 Goals, 53 Assists, 84 Points, +19, 37 Blocked Shots, 50 Hits, 34 Takeaways, 54 Giveaways, 9.3 Point Shares. 

Doesn’t this rank seem strange?  Sidney Crosby missed the first few games of the season, and he started off slow when he did get on the ice, resulting him (and rightfully so) not making the All-Star Game, but his second half was really good, and it felt like every week in the last two months, he climbed more this more than anyone else.  The Hart Trophy days of Crosby is behind him, but he is still a great player.  Notably, he joined the 500 Goal and 1,400 Point clubs this year, and again led his club in Points, though was tied with Jake Guentzel who had more Goals (40).

36. (Tie) Pavel Buchnevich: St. Louis Blues, Left Wing:

87 Cup Points, 73 Games, 1.19 Cup Points per Game, 30 Goals, 46 Assists, 76 Points, +29, 15 Blocked Shots, 57 Hits, 46 Takeaways, 41 Giveaways, 8.6 Point Shares. 

A New York Ranger for the first five seasons of his career, Pavel Buchnevich had his best year to date, setting career-highs in Goals, Assists and Points, and averaged over a Point per Game for the first time in his career.

36. (Tie) Victor Hedman: Tampa Bay Lightning, Defense:

87 Cup Points, 82 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 20 Goals, 65 Assists, 85 Points, +26, 129 Blocked Shots, 94 Hits, 52 Takeaways, 56 Giveaways, 13.5 Point Shares. 

Hey, we said we have to do some tweaks going forward into next year in regards to blueliners!  Victor Hedman is on a five-year streak of being chosen for the post-season All-Star Teams, and he will get his sixth this year.  The former Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe winner, scored the most Points of his career in 2021/22, and amassed more Win Shares than he did in his Norris-winning year.

39. Andrei Vasilevskiy: Tampa Bay Lightning, Goalie:

86 Cup Points, 63 Games, 1.71 Cup Points per Game, 39 Wins, 18 Losses, 5 Ties/Overtime Losses, .916 Save Percentage, 2.49 Goals Against Average, 12.0 Goalie Point Shares

The backstop for the last two Stanley Cup Championship Teams, Vasilevskiy led the NHL in Wins for the fifth consecutive year.  The 2019 Vezina winner went to his fourth All-Star Game, was ninth in GAA and seventh in Goalie Point Shares.  Vasilevskiy won’t win the Vezina this year, but is still an upper-echelon NHL Goalie.

40. (Tie) Brad Marchand: Boston Bruins, Left Wing:

85 Cup Points, 70 Games, 1.21 Cup Points per Game, 32 Goals, 48 Assists, 80 Points, +16, 20 Blocked Shots, 78 Hits, 40 Takeaways, 62 Giveaways, 9.2 Point Shares. 

Marchand was named a post-season All-Star four of the last five years with the Left Wing making the 80-Point mark for the fifth time.  This is his 13^th year in the NHL.

40. (Tie) Thatcher Demko: Vancouver Canucks, Goalie:

85 Cup Points, 64 Games, 1.33 Cup Points per Game, 33 Wins, 22 Losses, 7 Ties/Overtime Losses, .915 Save Percentage, 2.72 Goals Against Average, 12.3 Goalie Point Shares

Demko accumulated more Cup Points than any other Canuck and he went to his first All-Star Game as Vancouver’s undisputed starting Goalie.  He was ninth in Wins and fourth in Goalie Point Shares, and Demko gave us reason to think he can still improve.

42. Mika Zibanejad: New York Rangers, Center:

84 Cup Points, 81 Games, 1.04 Cup Points per Game, 29 Goals, 52 Assists, 81 Points, +30, 47 Blocked Shots, 67 Hits, 62 Takeaways, 58 Giveaways, 9.2 Point Shares. 

The now 11-year veteran cracked 80 Points for the first time, though his PPG was lower than last seasons COVID-shortened year.  Zibanejad was tenth in Power Play Goals with 15.

43. Cale Makar: Colorado Avalanche, Defense

83 Cup Points, 77 Games, 0.89 Cup Points per Game, 28 Goals, 58 Assists, 86 Points, +48, 110 Blocked Shots, 95 Hits, 49 Takeaways, 40 Giveaways, 15.2 Point Shares. 

Makar is one of the many stars of the Avs, and often when he had a great game, his teammates who played forward did too.  A lot more work to help Defenseman in Cup Points will be looked at for next year as we know this is way too low for a Norris contender.  Again, the team he played on had a lot to do with it, and there is an element of luck, but there is no metric we could ever come up that has Makar as the 43^st best at anything…yet, here we are.

44. Adrian Kempe: Los Angeles Kings, Left Wing

82 Cup Points, 78 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 35 Goals, 19 Assists, 54 Points, -2, 28 Blocked Shots, 111 Hits, 34 Takeaways, 63 Giveaways, 6.5 Point Shares. 

Going into this year’s playoffs, the argument could be made that the Kings were the weakest post-season participant.  Nevertheless, Los Angeles made it, and Kempe was a large part of that with clutch performances that defy his stat line.

45. Nazem Kadri: Colorado Avalanche, Center

81 Cup Points, 71 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 28 Goals, 59 Assists, 87 Points, +13, 19 Blocked Shots, 52 Hits, 36 Takeaways, 34 Giveaways, 8.8 Point Shares. 

In his 13^th NHL year, Kadri had his best NHL year, a skyrocket above from what he ever accomplished and based on his age (31), it is unlikely he will exceed this.  Regardless of whether he does or doesn’t, Kadri now can say that he was an NHL All-Star, and that is one damned sweet place to be in.

46. (Tie) Marc-Andre Fleury: Chicago Blackhawks & Minnesota Wild, Goalie:

80 Cup Points, 56 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game, 28 Wins, 23 Losses, 5 Ties/Overtime Losses, .908 Save Percentage, 2.90 Goals Against Average, 9.7 Goalie Point Shares

Fleury is the first player on this list to appear for two teams this year, and the veteran Goalie and three-time Stanley Cup Champion is enjoying a renaissance of sorts with the Wild after his trade from Chicago.  A title by Minnesota led by Fleury would be massive for his Hall of Fame chances.  Despite being in his late 30s, Fleury was eighth in Minutes logged by a Goalie.

46. (Tie) Jake Guentzel: Pittsburgh Penguins, Center

80 Cup Points, 76 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 40 Goals, 44 Assists, 84 Points, +13, 38 Blocked Shots, 72 Hits, 41 Takeaways, 23 Giveaways, 9.7 Point Shares. 

Guentzel had a 40-Goal season three years ago, and with the technicality of Goal differential would lead Pittsburgh in scoring this year.  The Center finished the year fifth in Even Strength Goals with 33.  

46. (Tie) Tristan Jarry: Pittsburgh Penguins, Goalie:

80 Cup Points, 58 Games, 1.38 Cup Points per Game, 34 Wins, 18 Losses, 6 Ties/Overtime Losses, .919 Save Percentage, 2.42 Goals Against Average, 11.5 Goalie Point Shares

Jarry has been the prime netminder for Pittsburgh for the last two years, and he was chosen for his second All-Star Game this year.  Jarry was sixth in both GAA and Save Percentage, and ninth in Goalie Point Shares.

49. Connor Hellebucyk: Winnipeg Jets, Goalie:

79 Cup Points, 66 Games, 1.20 Cup Points per Game, 29 Wins, 27 Losses, 10 Ties/Overtime Losses, .910 Save Percentage, 2.97 Goals Against Average, 12.5 Goalie Point Shares

The Winnipeg Jets may have finished the year with a winning record, but it felt like every game they were outshot, and considering that Hellebucyk led the NHL in Shots Against and Saves (both for the fourth straight year) says so much about his value to this team, even if they didn’t make the playoffs.  Hellebucyk was also second in Minutes Played. 

50. (Tie) Elvis Merzikins: Columbus Blue Jackets, Goalie:

77 Cup Points, 59 Games, 1.35 Cup Points per Game, 27 Wins, 23 Losses, 7 Ties/Overtime Losses, .907 Save Percentage, 3.22 Goals Against Average, 10.6 Goalie Point Shares

Columbus and the nation of Latvia have their first entrant with Merzlikins, who had to take on the lion’s share of his team’s competency.  Merzlikins finished fourth in Saves and tenth in Goalie Point Shares this year.

50. (Tie) Ryan Hartman: Minnesota Wild, Right Wing

77 Cup Points, 82 Games, 0.94 Cup Points per Game, 34 Goals, 31 Assists, 65 Points, +31, 38 Blocked Shots, 72 Hits, 41 Takeaways, 23 Giveaways, 7.5 Point Shares. 

Hartman earns the distinction (is it?) of being the first on the list with a sub-one Cup Points per Game average, but someone had to be!  Hartman is an eight-year veteran and his 65 Points this year is more than twice than his previous best, but it is also the first time he averaged more than 16 Minutes of ice time per game.  Is Hartman’s year a fluke, or is he elevated by those around him?

52. Elias Lindholm: Calgary Flames, Center

75 Cup Points, 82 Games, 0.92 Cup Points per Game, 42 Goals, 40 Assists, 82 Points, +61, 52 Blocked Shots, 66 Hits, 55 Takeaways, 41 Giveaways, 11.3 Point Shares. 

The Cup Points of Lindholm was eaten by his linemates, but along with Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, Lindholm was one-third of the most productive trio of the NHL’s 2021-22 Regular Season.  This has to be the case, as Lindholm’s +61 was second overall, and his linemates rounded out the top three.  Hey, someone has to receive the lower portion of Cup Points when one line is electric!  Lindholm was also ninth in Goals and tied for sixth in Game-Winning Goals (9) this year.

53. (Tie) Tage Thompson: Buffalo Sabres, Center

74 Cup Points, 78 Games, 0.95 Cup Points per Game, 38 Goals, 30 Assists, 68 Points, -17, 25 Blocked Shots, 66 Hits, 49 Takeaways, 42 Giveaways, 7.7 Point Shares. 

You could argue that if the NHL had a Most Improved Player Award that Thompson could have won it.  Thompson exploded in his new role as a top player with stats that dwarfed anything he did before, and the future will tell us if he is just the beneficiary of more ice time or the real deal.

53. (Tie) Darcy Kuemper: Colorado Avalanche, Goalie:

74 Cup Points, 57 Games, 1.30 Cup Points per Game, 37 Wins, 12 Losses, 4 Ties/Overtime Losses, .921 Save Percentage, 2.54 Goals Against Average, 12.1 Goalie Point Shares

This is Kuemper’s first year with the Avalanche, and it has yielded his best year to date.  Kuemper was fourth in Wins and fifth in Save Percentage.  He was also sixth in Goalie Point Shares.

53. (Tie) Jonathan Marchessault: Vegas Golden Knights, Center

74 Cup Points, 76 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 30 Goals, 36 Assists, 66 Points, +3, 17 Blocked Shots, 61 Hits, 38 Takeaways, 46 Giveaways, 7.2 Point Shares. 

The Golden Knights shot out of a cannon since they came into existence, and although they missed this year’s post-season, it was a surprise to us that it took this long until a Vegas player made this list.  Marchessault is a good player, but the fact that he was first amongst his teammates, might show why the Knights were not a playoff team, as he just isn’t that player.

56. Matt Duchene: Nashville Predators, Center

73 Cup Points, 78 Games, 0.94 Cup Points per Game, 43 Goals, 43 Assists, 86 Points, +6, 28 Blocked Shots, 31 Hits, 31 Takeaways, 77 Giveaways, 9.9 Point Shares. 

Matt Duchene had his greatest statistical year in 2021/22, posting his first 40-Goal and 80-Point year in the National Hockey League.  Duchene was eighth in Goals and third in Power Play Goals (16), and it will be fascinating to see if the Forward can maintain this level next year.

57. Troy Terry: Anaheim Ducks, Center & Right Wing

72 Cup Points, 75 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 37 Goals, 30 Assists, 67 Points, -11, 27 Blocked Shots, 6 Hits, 35 Takeaways, 4 Giveaways, 7.6 Point Shares. 

Troy Terry is an All-Star for the first time this year, but his lack of physical game shows him as more of a finesse player, though he obliterated his traditional stats from last year (67 Points from 20). Terry will likely have more potent years in the future, but he needs a team around him to do what he cannot.  Notably, Terry has the most Cup Points this year of any Duck.

58. (Tie) Gabriel Landeskog: Colorado Avalanche, Left Wing

70 Cup Points, 51 Games, 1.37 Cup Points per Game, 30 Goals, 29 Assists, 59 Points, +27, 34 Blocked Shots, 94 Hits, 17 Takeaways, 29 Giveaways, 7.5 Point Shares. 

Landeskog posted his best PPG this year and he showcased a deep Colorado team.  He missed a few games due to injury and concluded the year seventh in Goals per Game and was eighth in Shooting Percentage.

58. (Tie) Anze Kopitar: Los Angeles Kings, Center

70 Cup Points, 81 Games, 0.86 Cup Points per Game, 19 Goals, 48 Assists, 67 Points, -6, 71 Blocked Shots, 72 Hits, 48 Takeaways, 30 Giveaways, 5.7 Point Shares. 

Kopitar is in the latter half of his career, but is still a productive two-way player who will likely receive some votes for the Selke.  He is a former Lady Byng and two-time Selke winner and has two Stanley Cup Rings.

58. (Tie) Nikita Kucherov: Tampa Bay Lightning, Right Wing

70 Cup Points, 47 Games, 1.49 Cup Points per Game, 25 Goals, 44 Assists, 69 Points, +1, 7 Blocked Shots, 32 Hits, 24 Takeaways, 37 Giveaways, 7.4 Point Shares. 

Injuries held Kucherov to 47 Games, limiting not only his Cup Points but preventing him from likely winning a fifth consecutive post-season All-Star.  A member of the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, Kucherov won the 2019 Hart Trophy and Art Ross was second in Points Per Game this year (1.47).

58. (Tie) Jack Campbell: Toronto Maple Leafs, Goalie:

70 Cup Points, 49 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game, 31 Wins, 9 Losses, 6 Ties/Overtime Losses, .914 Save Percentage, 2.64 Goals Against Average, 8.8 Goalie Point Shares

Campbell struggled a bit in the second half of the season, but this is the best year to date for the American-born Goalie who was an All-Star for the first time at the age of 30.  He finished the season sixth in GAA and ninth in Save Percentage.

62. John Gibson: Anaheim Ducks, Goalie:

69 Cup Points, 56 Games, 1.23 Cup Points per Game, 18 Wins, 26 Losses, 11 Ties/Overtime Losses, .904 Save Percentage, 3.19 Goals Against Average, 9.2 Goalie Point Shares

The woes of the Ducks were not due to Gibson, who had another decent season, and was an All-Star for the third time.  Saying that, Gibson had better seasons in the past, and for the first time over his career, his GAA was over three, though he did not have the most competent defensive corps in front of him.

63. (Tie) Patrice Bergeron: Boston Bruins, Center

68 Cup Points, 73 Games, 0.93 Cup Points per Game, 25 Goals, 40 Assists, 65 Points, +26, 45 Blocked Shots, 78 Hits, 37 Takeaways, 14 Giveaways, 7.5 Point Shares. 

Bergeron has already accomplished so much as a Stanley Cup Champion, four-time Selke winner and last year’s Mark Messier Leadership Award winner, but he has a lot left as shown by doing this year what he has always done for the last fifteen.

63. (Tie) Brock Nelson: New York Islanders, Center

68 Cup Points, 72 Games, 0.95 Cup Points per Game, 37 Goals, 22 Assists, 59 Points, -5, 43 Blocked Shots, 31 Hits, 49 Takeaways, 43 Giveaways, 7.4 Point Shares. 

59 Points might not seem like a lot, but it was enough to make Nelson the highest scorer for the Islanders.  The nine-year veteran exceeded 50 Points for the third time in his career.

65. (Tie) Cam Talbot: Minnesota Wild, Goalie:

67 Cup Points, 49 Games, 1.39 Cup Points per Game, 32 Wins, 12 Losses, 4 Ties/Overtime Losses, .911 Save Percentage, 2.76 Goals Against Average, 8.8 Goalie Point Shares

The Wild have two Goalies on the top 100, though Marc-Andre Fleury spent most of the season with Chicago.  Talbot was solid, but enters the playoffs as the back-up to Fleury, after missing a lot of games due to injury.

65. (Tie) Elias Pettersson: Vancouver Canucks, Center

67 Cup Points, 80 Games, 0.84 Cup Points per Game, 32 Goals, 36 Assists, 68 Points, +1, 43 Blocked Shots, 49 Hits, 56 Takeaways, 39 Giveaways, 7.4 Point Shares. 

Pettersson is three years removed from his Calder Trophy where he had a 66-Point year.  This season, Pettersson increased that to 68, with his first 30-plus Goal year.

67. (Tie) Patrick Kane: Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing

67 Cup Points, 78 Games, 0.86 Cup Points per Game, 26 Goals, 66 Assists, 92 Points, -19, 26 Blocked Shots, 11 Hits, 42 Takeaways, 49 Giveaways, 8.1 Point Shares. 

Chicago seems so far removed from the days when they were Stanley Cup contenders, but Kane is still a good player, whose 92 Points are the third most of his career.  That is not as promising as it looks, as scoring is way up across the NHL, but he is was still seventh in Assists, though he is not the Goal scorer he once was.

67. (Tie) Dylan Larkin: Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing

67 Cup Points, 71 Games, 0.94 Cup Points per Game, 31 Goals, 38 Assists, 69 Points, -18, 28 Blocked Shots, 76 Hits, 38 Takeaways, 42 Giveaways, 6.8 Point Shares. 

Finally, the Detroit Red Wings get on the board with Larkin, who became their Captain last year.  Larkin was one Point shy of 70, which would have been second 70-Point year, but he did make his second All-Star Game, his first since 2016.

67. (Tie) Adam Fox: New York Rangers, Defense

67 Cup Points, 78 Games, 0.86 Cup Points per Game, 11 Goals, 63 Assists, 74 Points, +18, 128 Blocked Shots, 30 Hits, 78 Takeaways, 58 Giveaways, 11.8 Point Shares. 

Yes, we know this is another example where Forwards have it much easier in Cup Points, especially when you look at the Goal/Assist differential of Fox.  Last year’s Norris Trophy winner, was tenth in Assists and was an All-Star for the first time.

67. (Tie) Robert Thomas: St. Louis Blues, Center

67 Cup Points, 72 Games, 0.93 Cup Points per Game, 20 Goals, 57 Assists, 77 Points, +17, 25 Blocked Shots, 13 Hits, 60 Takeaways, 50 Giveaways, 7.3 Point Shares. 

A Stanley Cup Champion as a rookie in 2019, Thomas broke out this year by nearly doubling his previous Points output (42).  Thomas is not likely to win the Lady Byng, but we expect that this will be the first season that he will receive votes for it.

71. Sergei Bobrovsky: Florida Panthers, Goalie:

64 Cup Points, 54 Games, 1.19 Cup Points per Game, 39 Wins, 7 Losses, 3 Ties/Overtime Losses, .913 Save Percentage, 2.67 Goals Against Average, 9.4 Goalie Point Shares

Bobrovsky led the NHL in Wins, and while he was really good, many of them were the result of the potent lineup ahead of him.  He won two Vezina Trophies when he was a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and this year he was on the team that won the President’s Trophy as the squad that had the most Points in the Regular Season.

72. (Tie) Cleyton Keller: Arizona Coyotes, Center

63 Cup Points, 72 Games, 0.88 Cup Points per Game, 20 Goals, 57 Assists, 77 Points, +17, 25 Blocked Shots, 13 Hits, 60 Takeaways, 50 Giveaways, 7.3 Point Shares. 

The trainwreck that is the Arizona Coyotes finally have an entrant in Keller, who was Arizona’s All-Star Game representative, the second time he was so.  Keller had 63 Points, two less than his previous best in his rookie year.

72. (Tie) Jeff Skinner: Buffalo Sabres, Left Wing & Center

63 Cup Points, 80 Games, 0.79 Cup Points per Game, 33 Goals, 30 Assists, 63 Points, -14, 20 Blocked Shots, 29 Hits, 51 Takeaways, 52 Giveaways, 6.8 Point Shares. 

The Calder winner of 11 years ago had 63 Points when he won that trophy.  This is the fourth time he finished the season with this tally, a number that remains his career-high.

72. (Tie) Kris Letang: Pittsburgh Penguins, Defense

63 Cup Points, 78 Games, 0.81 Cup Points per Game, 10 Goals, 58 Assists, 68 Points, +20, 122 Blocked Shots, 171 Hits, 59 Takeaways, 79 Giveaways, 10.6 Point Shares. 

A two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Letang had another season where he should receive Norris votes.  He never won one, but is a two-time Second Team All-Star.

72. (Tie) Jordan Kyrou: St. Louis Blues, Center

63 Cup Points, 74 Games, 0.85 Cup Points per Game, 27 Goals, 48 Assists, 75 Points, +10, 23 Blocked Shots, 6 Hits, 36 Takeaways, 32 Giveaways, 7.8 Point Shares. 

Kyrou became a top scoring option for the Blues this year, and should be for years to come.  He is one of the cleanest players in hockey.

72. (Tie) Blake Wheeler: Winnipeg Jets, Right Wing

63 Cup Points, 65 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 17 Goals, 43 Assists, 60 Points, -15, 37 Blocked Shots, 62 Hits, 32 Takeaways, 36 Giveaways, 4.7 Point Shares. 

It is a bit of a surprise to see Wheeler here, and we have our first player with Point Shares below five.  We never said this was a scientific process!

78. (Tie) Patrik Laine: Columbus Blue Jackets, Right Wing

62 Cup Points, 56 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 26 Goals, 30 Assists, 56 Points, -7, 13 Blocked Shots, 27 Hits, 52 Takeaways, 49 Giveaways, 5.8 Point Shares. 

Laine and the Blue Jackets did not make the playoffs, but they have a good young player in Laine who for the first time in his career average at least a Point per Game.

78. Alex Nedeljkovic: Detroit Red Wings, Goalie:

62 Cup Points, 59 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 20 Wins, 24 Losses, 9 Ties/Overtime Losses, .901 Save Percentage, 3.31 Goals Against Average, 8.7 Goalie Point Shares

The Red Wings were not a playoff team in 2022/22, but Nedeljkovic had a fine year (even though he scored on his own net in a game this season) in what was his first year as a lead Goalie.  He needs to take it to another level, and if he doesn’t, his stay in Detroit will be temporary.

80. Joe Pavelski: Dallas Stars, Center

61 Cup Points, 82 Games, 0.74 Cup Points per Game, 27 Goals, 54 Assists, 81 Points, +11, 69 Blocked Shots, 104 Hits, 35 Takeaways, 44 Giveaways, 8.5 Point Shares. 

Now a 16-year veteran, Pavelski broke 80 Points for the first time in his career, and is now 76 Points away from 1,000.  He also made his fourth All-Star Game this year, and while he is unlikely to make the Hockey Hall of Fame, he is one of a rare breed of hockey players whose second half appears to be better than his first.

81. (Tie) Tyler Seguin: Dallas Stars, Center

60 Cup Points, 81 Games, 0.73 Cup Points per Game, 24 Goals, 25 Assists, 49 Points, -21, 33 Blocked Shots, 96 Hits, 26 Takeaways, 48 Giveaways, 4.1 Point Shares. 

Accumulating a Cup Point here and there, Seguin was steady and healthy all year, and another minor surprise that he finished so high considering he is a Forward with under 50 Points.  This is part of the reason we love and are befuddled by this process (even though we created it).

81. (Tie) Jonathan Quick: Los Angeles Kings, Goalie:

60 Cup Points, 46 Games, 1.30 Cup Points per Game, 23 Wins, 13 Losses, 9 Ties/Overtime Losses, .910 Save Percentage, 2.59 Goals Against Average, 7.4 Goalie Point Shares

Quick turned back the clock with his best season over the past four years, and was more effective as the season went on.

81. (Tie) Anton Forsberg: Ottawa Senators, Goalie:

60 Cup Points, 46 Games, 1.30 Cup Points per Game, 22 Wins, 17 Losses, 4 Ties/Overtime Losses, .917 Save Percentage, 2.82 Goals Against Average, 9.4 Goalie Point Shares

Forsberg seems like a strange player to be in the top 100, as the Senators failed to make the playoffs, and were not that good.  He arguably came out of nowhere, as he was never a first-string player until now (at age 29), but he had a good second half for Ottawa, who did improve as the season went on. 

81. (Tie) Nicolaj Ehlers: Winnipeg Jets, Left Wing

60 Cup Points, 62 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 28 Goals, 27 Assists, 55 Points, +18, 27 Blocked Shots, 32 Hits, 41 Takeaways, 44 Giveaways, 6.7 Point Shares. 

The game of Hockey continues to grow, and here we have our first player from Denmark.  Ehlers cracked 55 Points for the fourth time this year, and is on a six-year streak of 20 Goal Seasons.

85. Mats Zuccarello: Minnesota Wild, Left Wing

59 Cup Points, 70 Games, 0.84 Cup Points per Game, 24 Goals, 55 Assists, 79 Points, +21, 33 Blocked Shots, 36 Hits, 48 Takeaways, 43 Giveaways, 7.9 Point Shares. 

Zuccarello’s Cup Points were impacted slightly by playing with higher-level players, but Norway’s greatest hockey player set a personal best 79 Points in his 12^th NHL year.

86. (Tie) Aaron Ekblad: Florida Panthers, Defense

58 Cup Points, 61 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 15 Goals, 42 Assists, 57 Points, +38, 69 Blocked Shots, 62 Hits, 43 Takeaways, 73 Giveaways, 9.6 Point Shares. 

Yes, the Defense thing and this ranking.   We will look at this deeper next year, we promise!  Ekblad had a great year, where the 2015 Calder winner posted career-highs in Assists, Points and Plus/Minus and was a huge part of Florida’s success in the regular season.

86. (Tie) Jack Hughes: New Jersey Devils, Center

59 Cup Points, 49 Games, 1.20 Cup Points per Game, 26 Goals, 30 Assists, 56 Points, -16, 15 Blocked Shots, 6 Hits, 49 Takeaways, 60 Giveaways, 5.8 Point Shares. 

The Devils have their first entry in Hughes, the American Center, and though he was not New Jersey’s leading scorer, Hughes tied with Jesper Bratt for the team lead in Goals.  As Hughes is well under 25, this is a star on the rise, who should be a multiple All-Star.  Considering he has a PPG well over one this year, how could he not be?

88. (Tie) Trevor Zegras: Anaheim Ducks, Center

57 Cup Points, 75 Games, 0.76 Cup Points per Game, 23 Goals, 38 Assists, 61 Points, -21, 27 Blocked Shots, 56 Hits, 40 Takeaways, 71 Giveaways, 5.4 Point Shares. 

Zegras had a phenomenal sophomore season, where the American Center from BU proved his worth as a bona fide NHL player.  With his youth, Zegras should be able to ascend to a upper-echelon performer.

88. (Tie) Tomas Hertl: San Jose Sharks, Center

57 Cup Points, 82 Games, 0.70 Cup Points per Game, 30 Goals, 34 Assists, 64 Points, -9, 57 Blocked Shots, 105 Hits, 65 Takeaways, 31 Giveaways, 6.6 Point Shares. 

Playing all of his nine seasons with the Sharks, Hertl had his second 60-Point year in the NHL.

88. (Tie) Tom Wilson: Washington Capitals, Right Wing

57 Cup Points, 78 Games, 0.73 Cup Points per Game, 24 Goals, 28 Assists, 52 Points, +13, 55 Blocked Shots, 240 Hits, 36 Takeaways, 44 Giveaways, 5.5 Point Shares. 

Wilson is currently one of the most controversial players in Hockey, and of the nine NHL seasons, he has had over 200 Hits, which includes this one.  The Capital also broke the 50-Point threshold for the first time this year.

91. (Tie) Matthew Barzal: New York Islanders, Center

56 Cup Points, 73 Games, 0.77 Cup Points per Game, 15 Goals, 44 Assists, 59 Points, -15, 17 Blocked Shots, 36 Hits, 43 Takeaways, 82 Giveaways, 4.9 Point Shares. 

Barzal is in his sixth NHL Season, and he had two previous 60-Point years, of which he was one Point shy of it.  He was the Calder Trophy winner in 2018.

91. (Tie) Bo Horvat: Vancouver Canucks, Center

56 Cup Points, 70 Games, 0.77 Cup Points per Game, 31 Goals, 21 Assists, 52 Points, +3, 45 Blocked Shots, 96 Hits, 32 Takeaways, 25 Giveaways, 6.0 Point Shares. 

Horvat has played eight seasons with Vancouver (all of his years), and he broke 50 Points for the third time.

93. (Tie) Nick Schmaltz: Arizona Coyotes, Center

55 Cup Points, 63 Games, 0.87 Cup Points per Game, 23 Goals, 36 Assists, 59 Points, +1, 28 Blocked Shots, 15 Hits, 52 Takeaways, 42 Giveaways, 6.0 Point Shares. 

This is the highest PPG of Schmaltz’s career, and at age 25, he could potentially explode in traditional, advanced and Cup Points.

93. (Tie) Vince Trocheck: Carolina Hurricanes, Center

55 Cup Points, 81 Games, 0.68 Cup Points per Game, 21 Goals, 30 Assists, 51 Points, +21, 46 Blocked Shots, 85 Hits, 50 Takeaways, 42 Giveaways, 5.3 Point Shares. 

This is the first 50-Point year of Trochcek’s career since the 2017/18 campaign. 

93. (Tie) Josh Norris: Ottawa Senators, Center

55 Cup Points, 66 Games, 0.83 Cup Points per Game, 35 Goals, 20 Assists, 55 Points, -7, 44 Blocked Shots, 79 Hits, 24 Takeaways, 32 Giveaways, 6.8 Point Shares. 

With a name like Norris, you should expect something good in the NHL, and with Josh Norris you have exactly that.  Norris is in his third year, and is a player on the upswing.

93. (Tie) Ville Husso: St. Louis Blues, Goalie:

55 Cup Points, 40 Games, 1.38 Cup Points per Game, 25 Wins, 7 Losses, 6 Ties/Overtime Losses, .917 Save Percentage, 2.56 Goals Against Average, 8.3 Goalie Point Shares

Husso had a good sophomore year in the NHL, and his 25-7-6 regardess of his offensive support is incredible.  The Finnish Goalie looks to be the Blues Goalie going forward.

93. (Tie) Mark Scheifele: Winnipeg Jets, Center

55 Cup Points, 67 Games, 0.82 Cup Points per Game, 29 Goals, 41 Assists, 70 Points, -17, 47 Blocked Shots, 36 Hits, 49 Takeaways, 60 Giveaways, 6.5 Point Shares. 

A Jet for all of his eleven seasons, Scheifele had his third 70-plus Point year and continued his 20 Goal streak that he has had for seven seasons.

98. (Tie) Linus Ullmark: Boston Bruins, Goalie:

54 Cup Points, 41 Games, 1.32 Cup Points per Game, 26 Wins, 10 Losses, 4 Ties/Overtime Losses, .917 Save Percentage, 2.45 Goals Against Average, 7.3 Goalie Point Shares

The Tuukka Rask era is over in Boston, but is it now the Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman era?  Based on the playoffs, it looks like Swayman, but Ullmark had the better regular season and finished seventh in GAA.

98. (Tie) Claude Giroux: Philadelphia Flyers & Florida Panthers, Center

54 Cup Points, 75 Games, 0.72 Cup Points per Game, 21 Goals, 44 Assists, 65 Points, -5, 16 Blocked Shots, 48 Hits, 21 Takeaways, 26 Giveaways, 5.8 Point Shares. 

We finally have our first player who played for two teams, as Giroux, who appeared in an even 1,000 Games for Philadelphia was traded to the contending Panthers.

98. (Tie) Trevor Moore: Los Angeles Kings, Left Wing

54 Cup Points, 81 Games, 0.66 Cup Points per Game, 17 Goals, 31 Assists, 48 Points, +20, 32 Blocked Shots, 69 Hits, 30 Takeaways, 17 Giveaways, 5.2 Point Shares. 

At age 26, Moore had not accomplished much in the NHL, but he was a very productive player this season, especially considering his ice time was under 16 Minutes.

Phew!!!  That took a while!

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In 2016, the Toronto Maple Leafs chose Auston Matthews with the number one pick, the Californian-born hockey player who became an ice-sport superstar.  He was hyped to be great, and the Maple Leafs fans loved him immediately.

In the Center's first game, he scored four Goals, an unprecedented debut in the NHL.  Matthews won the Calder that year on a 40-Goal year, and he was first in Even Strength Goals (32).  To date, he has been a three-time All-Star and has never had a year where he lit the lamp less than 34 times.   Matthews had 47 Goals in 2019-20 and 41 in the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign, which won him the Rocket Richard Trophy.  That was good but the American had another trick up his sleeve.

From the outset of the 2021-22 campaign, Matthews was lighting the lamp often and he broke Toronto's single-season record for Goals, netting 61 (with 106 Points in total), which also led the NHL.  Matthews was awarded the Hart Trophy for his work, as well as a second Rocket Richard, and his peers voted him as the MVP with the Lester B. Pearson Award.  Matthews was not as good in 2022-23 but was still at a superstar level with 85 Points.  Last season, Matthews won his third Rocket Richard Award with 69 Goals (his best to date), and was also the league-leader in Even Strength Goals with 51.  He was also fourth in Hart voting, and for the first time in his career was third in Selke voting.

As of this writing, Matthews is entering tenth season and has been their star since his debut.  Stanley Cups will be the only way to enter the stratosphere of this list, but we aren't counting him out of reaching the top without one.