Despite an incredible offensive season, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov won't be walking away with a third consecutive Art Ross Trophy this season. Kucherov led the NHL in points during both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons with 144 and 121 points respectively. Connor McDavid's 138 points lead the league this season, while Kucherov finished second with 130 points. Had Kucherov been healthy for the entire season, he likely would've completed the three-peat, as he was on pace for roughly 140 points over 82 games. On the bright side, Kucherov will likely be a finalist for the Hart Trophy for the third straight year and there's certainly a chance that he wins his second straight Ted Lindsay Award this season as well.
