In this edition of the hotstove, we share our choices for best player on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Todd Cordell
Nikita Kucherov.
As much as I appreciate the two-way play of Brayden Point and Victor Hedman, or the goal scoring prowess of Steven Stamkos, I think Kucherov is the answer here.
Kucherov is 2nd in points since the beginning of 2018-19. The only player with more points, Leon Draisaitl, is just two ahead despite ~500 more minutes played.
It’s a similar story at 5v5. Artemi Panarin was the lone player to accumulate more points in that game state and he bested Kucherov by one (1) in ~160 more minutes. I think it is safe to say Kucherov would be No. 1 if given the same ice time.
That kind of production would make Kucherov very valuable even with little else. When you consider Kucherov leads the Lightning in Corsi For% over the last two years, and owns a ridiculous plus-53 goal differential at 5v5, it’s hard to make an argument against him as Tampa’s top player.
Sean Maloughney Tampa has a wealth of talent at all positions from Vasilevskiy in net, to Hedman on defense. For years Stamkos was their number one guy but right now it's the Kucherov Show.
Nikita Kucherov has exploded offensively in his last four seasons that include two 100+ point seasons and nearly three 40+ goal seasons. This year, Kucherov led the team with 82 points, outscoring the next highest player (Stamkos) by 19 points.
In addition he also led the team in 5 on 5 scoring with 29 EV goals (Stamkos was second with 19). The sheer difference in production between Kucherov and his other elite level teammates is impressive. No one shoots more or generates more chances when they are on the ice than Nikita Kucherov.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
Recent posts