NEW YORK — The 2024-25 National Hockey League regular season concluded with Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov capturing his third career (and second straight) Art Ross Trophy as the League’s scoring champion and Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl winning his first career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader.
Kucherov registered 37-84—121 in 78 appearances to finish ahead of Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (32-84—116 in 79 GP) for the second consecutive season and claim his third Art Ross Trophy, adding to victories in 2018-19 (41-87—128 in 82 GP) and 2023-24 (44-100—144 in 81 GP). He became the 10th player to win the Art Ross Trophy – first presented in 1947-48 – at least three times, joining Wayne Gretzky (10), Gordie Howe (6), Mario Lemieux (6), Phil Esposito (5), Jaromir Jagr (5), Connor McDavid (5), Stan Mikita (4), Bobby Hull (3) and Guy Lafleur (3).
Kucherov, who did not own even a share of the League lead in scoring until March 29 and overcame a deficit as large as 11 points, became the 14th player in NHL history to record at least three career 120-point seasons. He followed up an 83-assist performance in 2022-23 and a 100-assist campaign in 2023-24 by sharing first place with 84 helpers in 2024-25, making him the fourth player in League history with three straight 80-assist seasons. The others: Gretzky (13; 1979-90 – 1991-92), Bobby Orr (3; 1969-70 – 1971-72) and Paul Coffey (3; 1983-84 – 1985-86).
The 31-year-old Kucherov found the score sheet in 65 of his 78 total contests (83.3%), producing multiple points 33 times (2nd in the NHL) and three or more points on 17 occasions (1st in the NHL). He also placed among the League leaders in power-play assists (1st; 38), power-play points (1st; 46), even-strength points (3rd; 75), even-strength assists (5th; 46), game-winning goals (t-5th; 9), even-strength goals (t-8th; 29), shots on goal (9th; 265) and goals (t-13th; 37).
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