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.