In this edition of the hotstove, we share our picks to win the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2021.
Todd Cordell
Auston Matthews.
The 23-year-old has been the league’s best, and most efficient, 5v5 goal scorer since the day he stepped into the league. He was on pace for 55 total goals last season before COVID brought it to a halt. He is one of the game’s truly elite scorers, which will put him in the conversation any given year. What helps separate Matthews this year, I think, is the division he’ll be playing in.
He is going to get a ton of games against the retooling Ottawa Senators, who plan on trotting out Nikita Zaitsev and Erik Gudbranson as their top defenders on the right side. He will also see a ton of the Vancouver Canucks (30th in chances against/60 last season and their new starter posted a .897 SV%), Winnipeg Jets (29th in expected goals against/60 last season), and Edmonton Oilers (poor defense and they still employ Mike Smith!).
The stars are truly aligning for him to put up video game-esque numbers. He is my pick.
Sean Maloughney David Pastrnak gets my vote.
The 23 year old is already one of the most prolific goal scorers in the National Hockey League, tying Alex Ovechkin last season.
The important thing to remember is the Rocket doesn't care about EV or PP scoring, simply all goals and Pastrnak has consistently been one of the deadliest forwards at 5 on 4 over his young career. Despite Krug now being gone I expect the Bruins to still be effective on the PP with the main unit of Pastrnak, Marchand and Bergeron still intact.
In this shortened season that will likely be 56 games I would not be surprised to see Pastrnak still pot 35+ goals.
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