McDavid, Kucherov Tied for Best Odds to Win 2020 Art Ross for NHL Scoring Leader

• Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov are co-favorites for the 2020 Art Ross Trophy
• Kucherov won last year; McDavid is eyeing a fourth-straight 100-point season
• Who has the better chance? Is there more value lower on the board?

When it comes to the race for the Art Ross trophy, it’s a short list of favorites.

Connor McDavid, the fastest player in the league, is also the most prolific in recent history. Entering 2018/19, he had won the Art Ross in back-to-back years.

His trifecta was blocked by Nikita Kucherov’s electric season. The Russian’s 128 points were the most since 1995/96.

Kucherov and McDavid are co-favorites for the award this year. Can the field catch them?

2019/20 Art Ross Trophy Odds

Odds taken 09/15/2019.

Both McDavid and Kucherov deserve their favorite status. You can debate whether McDavid should sit alone in first, but his leg injury at the end of last year likely impacted that.

This RFA class really has changed everything. We’re only a year removed from Nikita Kucherov signing for 8 x $9.5M after a 100 point season where he was named to the First All-Star Team.

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) September 11, 2019

It is interesting to see Sidney Crosby sitting in third. Crosby posted his first 100-point season since 2013/14, and at 32, Sid ain’t a kid anymore.

Here are three names that offer interesting value, though: Nathan MacKinnon, Johnny Gaudreau and Auston Matthews.

How Can Nathan MacKinnon Win?

The Avalanche superstar offers a unique blend of high-end talent and experience.

At just 24, MacKinnon already has six seasons under his belt, and he’s seen a significant uptick in production over the last two.

Nathan MacKinnon: 2013-17 vs 2017-19

MacKinnon did much of this with Mikko Rantanen by his side. It’s a symbiotic relationship, as Rantanen put up 84 and 87 points each of the last two seasons. He posted 38 in his only other full campaign.

MacKinnon’s odds may reflect the fact that Rantanen remains in RFA limbo. He’s still waiting on a contract, but the process seems less turbulent than Mitch Marner’s.

Very up close: Nathan MacKinnon on Mikko Rantanen situation … #Avalanche pic.twitter.com/BpQZCzc9W3

— Patrick Graham (@pgraham34) September 12, 2019

Rantanen should be back before the start of the season. And his line with MacKinnon and Gabe Landeskog should shine once again.

How Can Johnny Gaudreau Win?

Matthew Tkachuk’s negotiations are lagging, but leave the top combo of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan intact.  Tkachuk’s absence would be a big hole in Calgary’s lineup, but shouldn’t alter Gaudreau’s trajectory.

Johnny Gaudreau’s Career Averages vs 2018/19

Gaudreau’s even strength production is what really shot up in his fifth full season. His Corsi For percentage also rose to 54.9%, significantly better than his career average of 51.9%.

https://twitter.com/NHLFlames/status/1172261099506257920

As Johnny Hockey enters his sixth full season and Monahan his seventh, both have a good chance to improve on last year’s career highs.

How Can Auston Matthews Win?

Auston Matthews is the dark horse. He is an all-world talent and drives his line. But his odds depend on his linemates.

Matthews will have William Nylander once again. Last year was a revolving door for Matthews because of Nylander’s contract impasse.  Now he has a base 60-point presence on one wing, and Andreas Johnsson on the other.

Countdown: Top 5-on-5 Goal Scorers

Number 1: Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

There's a lot more to Matthews' game than just his lethal shot. @CraigJButton & @MikeKellyNHL on what makes him the best 5v5 scorer in the NHL. #LeafsForever @MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/2Tq3T0dNP1

— LogiqBets (@LogiqBets) September 11, 2019

Johnsson was an upgrade over Zach Hyman in his first full season. His ceiling will be higher in his second.

Last Five NHL Scoring Leaders

Matthews finished with 73 points last year, and it seems a 100-point season would put him in contention for the Art Ross.

That’s a sizable jump, however, and it’s the reason we have him third among long-shots.

McDavid a Worthy Favorite for Art Ross

If we had to rank them, it would be McDavid one and Kucherov two. McDavid has established his dominance, while Kucherov needed an out-of-this-world season to steal the scoring title away.

Don’t want to run with the best player in the world? MacKinnon offers similar upside at longer odds, while Gaudreau at +2800 is a steal if things go right in Calgary.