Committee Chairman
Super Bowl betting: Who the bookies are backing ahead of the playoffs
season prepares to move into its playoff rounds. Results from the regular season are now in
the books, with the best-performing teams progressing to the next phase, leaving the rest
behind to mull over their shortcomings. A frantic few weeks lie ahead, but which teams will
make it through to the season-defining match?
Football fans can have their say on the winner of each fixture with pre-game and in-play
betting available at the top sportsbooks. Those looking for a bet that lasts a little longer can
look ahead and predict the eventual Super Bowl champion. The team, they believe, will go all
the way to the history books. There is plenty of value to be found, especially if you decent to
oppose the market leaders with a bet on a plucky underdog. But which team is worth backing,
and where will you find the best NFL gambling odds?
This article explains all, bringing football fans and sportsbook bettors onto the same page.
We present the current betting and how it relates to the form shown by the top teams in this
campaign. There are one or two surprises to be found and no lack of value. This year's Super
Bowl will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday 12th, February.
That means time is running out to grab your share of the free bets offered. Keep reading for
details on how to land a welcome bonus free bet on the NFL using your smartphone.
Kansas leads the way
According to bookmakers, Kansas City is now the most likely team to win the Super Bowl.
That's an important shift and something worth keeping in mind when preparing your
predictions, as the betting has changed since the regular season finished. Traders have altered
their views on the Super Bowl, moving from the Buffalo Bills to Kansas. But why did they
do that when Buffalo is still in the running?
Only recently, all the hype focused on the Bills, but the team has yet to live up to its billing.
Buffalo has done everything expected of them by fans so far this season, but there can be no
denying they have been less than impressive. The favorites huffed and puffed their way
through games at times and have yet to look anywhere near as impressive as their rivals in
Kansas. The stats of the two teams after the conclusion of the regular season tell the story of
why traders changed their minds.
Kansas topped the AFC West with their stats showing 14 wins and three defeats, with 496
points scored and 369 conceded. They finished clear of a chasing pack led by the Los
Angeles Chargers, who failed to land a glove on the Chiefs in one-way traffic despite putting
up a fight. Despite how impressive Kansas was in the regular season, there's more to come
from this side. They are yet to hit top gear, encouraging supporters as they prepare to follow
their side into the extended season.
Buffalo started the season as the team to beat, with traders picking them as their favorite at
every major sportsbook. So far, they have barely put a foot wrong and comfortably won the
AFC East, losing just three of their games. The Bills scored fewer points than Kansas with
455 but had a much better defense, conceding 286 points in the campaign. That sturdy
backline will be required in the later rounds and could be the difference between winning the
Super Bowl and watching as spectators.
Bonuses and promotions
The leading bookies offer all new players who sign up for an online betting account, make
their first deposit, and wager an attractive welcome bonus. Register today, and you'll qualify
for a free bet equal to your first deposit and wager. Ready to claim your share?
When joining a bookie to bet on the NFL or the winner of the Super Bowl, we advise reading
the terms and conditions on the app. Doing so will ensure you understand what's expected of
you as a customer and the options available when making a withdrawal.
The Mark Messier Leadership Award
If you had asked us in 2006, we would have said there is no need for another individual hockey award. We were wrong.
In the 2006/07 Season, five players were honored monthly as selected by the NHL based on qualifications, with Mark Messier deciding the recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Those monthly winners were Brendan Shanahan (New York Rangers), Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks). The year after, it was changed to being a yearly award.
There is no better player to name this after than Messier. He is the only player to lead two NHL teams (Edmonton and New York) to a Stanley Cup as their captain.
The results are as follows:
There are currently five former Mark Messier Leadership winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with four entering, yielding a percentage of 80.0.
As this award has never been a repeat winner, the percentage by year remains the same.
The following are the past players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and have been enshrined.
2007: Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings, Defense. 0 Goals, 11 Assists, 11 Points, +11, 3.3 Point Shares.
At age 45, Chelios had been a leader for decades, and despite his age, he was in the NHL for three more seasons. The American Defenseman had won three Norris Trophies, was a five-time First Team All-Star, and won three Stanley Cups, one with Montreal and two with Detroit. It is hard to debate that this award did not get off to a perfect start.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.
2008: Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center. 32 Goals, 46 Assists, 78 Points, +17, 9.8 Point Shares.
This was Sundin’s penultimate year in the NHL and his last with the Toronto Maple Leafs. A Maple Leaf since 1994, Sundin was a leader on the ice since day one and was Toronto's best player for over a decade. He had previously been a Second Team All-Star twice.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
2009: Jarome Iginla: Calgary Flames, Right Wing. 35 Goals, 54 Assists, 89 Points, -2, 9.5 Point Shares.
Iginla was not just Calgary's leader but had been the Flames best player for years. This was his third First Team All-Star season, and seven years before, he was the winner of both the Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson Awards. Iginla would later play for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado, and Los Angeles.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
2013: Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Right Wing. 10 Goals, 16 Assists, 26 Points, +1. 2.7 Point Shares.
Alfredsson was in his 17th and final year as an Ottawa Senator, and while he couldn't lead them to a Stanley Cup, he was the leader on many good Senator teams. He played one more year in Detroit and scored 1157 career Points.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.
The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
2012: Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes, Right Wing. 22 Goals, 28 Assists, 50 Points, -8, 5.0 Point Shares.
Since the franchise relocated from Winnipeg to Phoenix, Shane Doan was the franchise's best and most important player when they were in Arizona. Doan led the Coyotes to a Conference Final this year, and he was with Phoenix for his entire 21-year career.
Eligible since 2020. Ranked #58 on Notinhalloffame.com.
The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:
2011: Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins, Defense. 14 Goals, 30 Assists, 44 Points, +33, 10.0 Point Shares.
A Second Team All-Star this year, Chara was the Norris Trophy winner two years previous, and he was a First Team All-Star and Second Team All-Star twice before. Chara led by example, and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup this year, mainly on what the big man did.
Eligible in 2025.
2014: Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings, Right Wing. 15 Goals, 12 Assists, 27 Points, +7, 3.1 Point Shares.
Dustin Brown helped lead the Kings to a Stanley Cup in 2012 and did it again this season. Brown was an All-Star in 2009.
Eligible in 2025.
2018: Deryk Engelland, Vegas Golden Knights, Defense. 5 Goals, 18 Assists, 23 Points, +6, 4.5 Point Shares.
For the second year in a row, the Mark Messier Leadership Award winner also won the King Clancy. Engelland was the first Golden Knight to win this trophy, but with all due respect to the former Defenseman, he is the least likely Mark Messier Award winner to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Eligible in 2023.
The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award and are still active.
2010: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center. 51 Goals, 58 Assists, 109 Points, +15, 14.7 Point Shares
At age 23, it will be difficult to envision another Mark Messier Leadership Award winner to be younger than Sidney Crosby. Crosby is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. This season, Crosby was in his fifth NHL season and was a Second Team All-Star and a Rocket Richard winner. He was already a Hart Trophy winner and would be again four years later.
35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
2015: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, Center. 28 Goals, 38 Assists, 66 Points, +30, 9.4 Point Shares.
This season Toews led Chicago to their third (and his) Stanley Cup win of the decade. The Center had previously been named a Second Team All-Star (2013), a Conn Smythe winner (2010), and a Frank J. Selke Trophy winner (2013).
35 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.
2016: Shea Weber, Nashville Predators, Defense. 20 Goals, 31 Assists, 51 Points, -7, 9.5 Point Shares.
Weber had been the core player in Nashville for years by this time, and before this Mark Messier Award, he was twice a First Team All-Star, twice a Second Team All-Star, and had five top-four finishes for the Norris Trophy.
37 Years Old, Playing for the Vegas Golden Knights.
2017: Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing. 26 Goals, 25 Assists, 51 Points, -4, 5.9 Point Shares.
Foligno also won the King Clancy Award this year, marking the first time a Blue Jacket won.
35 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.
2019: Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators, Right Wing. 17 Goals, 13 Assists, 30 Points, -16, 1.9 Point Shares.
This is the first and, to date, only Mark Messier Leadership winner who split his award-winning season between two years. Simmonds was dealt from Philadelphia to Nashville for their playoff run, primarily due to his overall contributions as a Flyer, though do not discount what he did as a Predator.
34 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
2020: Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames, Defense. 5 Goals, 26 Assists, 31 Points, +2, 5.4 Point Shares.
Giordano is a late bloomer, winning his first Norris Trophy at age 35 and setting personal statistical bests. Giordano played most of his career with Calgary and was their leader for years.
39 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
2021: Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins, Center. 23 Goals, 25 Assists, 48 Points, +27, 6.9 Point Shares.
Bergeron is one of the best two-way players of his generation (if not the best) and was already a four-time Selke winner (he won a fifth a year after). He won a Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and captured the King Clancy award in 2013.
37 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.
2022: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, Center. 19 Goals, 48 Assists, 67 Points, -6, 5.7 Point Shares.
Kopitar already anchored Los Angeles to two Stanley Cups (2012 & 2014), and the Slovenian Center added to his already ample trophy case (he had two Selkes and a Lady Byng) with the acquisition of the 2022 Mark Messier Leadership Award.
35 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Kings.
The Mark Messier Leadership Award is not exclusive to superstars, but the character requirement is off the chart.
The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
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 23rd), 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 23rd), 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 Hobbies of Professional Athletes
You’ve got to be pretty special to become a professional athlete. The percentage of athletes that make it to the big leagues is so small that only the best of the best make it through. So, it should perhaps come as no surprise that professional athletes aren’t just handy at their chosen sport, but are just generally talented people. Indeed, take a pro football player, and you’d probably find that they could more than hold their own in any other sport you dropped them into.
And it’s not just on the field that pro athletes perform well. Take a look at some of the hobbies that those famous faces engage in, and you’ll find that they’re more or less good at everything they attempt. Some people have all the luck. Don’t believe us? Let’s explore some common hobbies for professional athletes.
Making Music
There’s always been a big overlap between music and sports. The dressing rooms are alive with music, and many teams celebrate their victories with an anthem. Sometimes those worlds collide in a more direct way, such as when athletes get behind the microphone themselves and record a track or two. The late Kobe Bryant recorded a rap album back in 1999, while Shaquille O’Neal released four albums throughout the same decade. The boxer Manny Pacquiao also released many songs between 2006 and 2013.
Playing Games
You don’t become a pro athlete without being competitive. Sports stars live for competition. Alas, they normally only play one game a week, so what do they do when they’re not on the field? That’s right, they play different types of games. Play a few hands at the best poker sites, and you might just end up playing against an athlete that you normally see on television. Neymar, Boris Becker, and Michael Phelps are all known to be huge poker players.
There are also plenty of athletic video gamers, too. Cam Newton, Paul George, and Eric Berry all say they’re obsessed with video games, especially sporting video games.
The Fashion World
Take a look at many sports stars when they head to a restaurant, and you’ll notice that most of them have a pretty particular fashion sense. They like to stand out. And some athletes are so interested in the fashion world that they even launch their own clothing lines. Some of the biggest sports stars in the world, including Serena Williams, David Beckham, LeBron James, and Cristiano Ronaldo, have created clothing. Who knew that people who are awesome at sports could also live another life as fashion designers? Talent knows no limits!
Traveling the World
Many people love traveling, but not everyone has the time or money to do it. Sports stars usually travel for work purposes when they have to play across the country (or even internationally, during the Olympics), and some athletes even travel for leisure. Floyd Mayweather, LeBron James, Ronda Rousey, and Tom Brady have all expressed a passion for exploring the world. You can only imagine how awesome it must be to travel with their bank balances, too.