If Kuch and McD both get 100 assists

[Nemesis Prime]

One player hitting it is impressive, two not so much. Wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more 100 assist players in the following years, considering how many are already hitting 100+ points. Only a matter of time.

 

[LightningStorm]

I think this is a cause for celebration that 2 players might make the 100 assist mark in the same season for only the 2nd time in history, and getting the first 2 players outside of the big 3 to do it. It's exciting that McDavid will likely have the highest assist season of all players this side of Gretzky and Lemieux, and that Kucherov might become the first winger to reach 100 assists.

 

[Zirakzigil]

I think its more interesting Kucherov could be the first winger to do it than McDavid getting there. Wingers dont usually drive offense over centers. And Kucherov is playing with lesser talent than McDavid.

 

[T-Funk]

Was it devalued in 1988-1989 when Gretzky and Lemieux did it?

 

[WingsFan95]

If Joe Thornton was in his prime now he pretty easily is a 100 assist guy I'd think. He had 92 and 96 assist seasons in dead puck eras. His 96 assist season he beat the 2nd guy in assists by 25. Mcdavid is beating kuch by just 6 and McKinnon by just 16.

I think it kinda devalues it.

This. And it doesn't mean Kucherov (since everyone is licking McDavid's socks these days) isn't "good enough" for the elite legend group, it certainly does bring a stat down when two guys do it in the same season after it being over 30 without happening, because it typically denotes an upswing that matches previous seasons.

Looking at a lot of higher scoring games this season it's certainly twice if not more prolific than what I remember (yes conjecture to a degree) in the 00s.

To me the ice just looks way more open but the speed of the game has gone up as well.

And even so despite all of this, how damn awesome is Bobby Orr to stand out in all of this? GOAT.

 

[DFC]

One player hitting it is impressive, two not so much. Wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more 100 assist players in the following years, considering how many are already hitting 100+ points. Only a matter of time.

I don't think so. Even with scoring up, 100 assists is just A LOT. MacKinnon is an all time great having what might be his career season, and he's likely to finish below 90. After that there's a big drop off. Nobody's arguing that scoring is up, but even with that being true, these are probably the only 3 guys in the league capable. Keep in mind the 80s were a lot higher scoring than even this, and only two guys pulled it off.

I think someday McDavid will be more/less unanimously accepted as a Gretzky-tier player, probably 4th or 5th best of all time. Kucherov will be somewhere around Jagr's level. So it's still only going to be very, very rare players who can achieve it. I doubt we will see many players on Kucherov's level do it -- he is a little more rare because his instinct is SO based in playmaking.

 

[authentic]

I think its more interesting Kucherov could be the first winger to do it than McDavid getting there. Wingers dont usually drive offense over centers. And Kucherov is playing with lesser talent than McDavid.

Point and Hedman are lesser talent than what McDavid plays with? Barely.

 

[LightningStorm]

Kucherov getting 100 assists would be like this all over again: View attachment 847757

Ha even as a Bolts fan I found this humorous. Though Kuch would at least have earned his way into this picture, as it would be based off of an actual accomplishment as oppose to media hype. And while neither Kuch nor Toews are close to the big 3 or even Crosby/McDavid, Kuch is still well ahead of Toews.

 

[nowhereman]

I don't think so. Even with scoring up, 100 assists is just A LOT. MacKinnon is an all time great having what might be his career season, and he's likely to finish below 90. After that there's a big drop off. Nobody's arguing that scoring is up, but even with that being true, these are probably the only 3 guys in the league capable. Keep in mind the 80s were a lot higher scoring than even this, and only two guys pulled it off.

I think someday McDavid will be more/less unanimously accepted as a Gretzky-tier player, probably 4th or 5th best of all time. Kucherov will be somewhere around Jagr's level. So it's still only going to be very, very rare players who can achieve it. I doubt we will see many players on Kucherov's level do it -- he is a little more rare because his instinct is SO based in playmaking.

I'll vote less. A lot less.

 

[DFC]

I'll vote less. A lot less.

That's fine, but in a regular year (when he doesn't battle injury) he's so far above his peers that I think you'll be in the minority. McDavid is an incredibly special player and it's getting harder and harder to deny that he's one of the very best of all time.

 

[Cup or Bust]

it does devalue it somewhat of course when something is done more it is less impressive but it's still an amazing achievement because of how rare it is. If someone does it again next season though it will definitely start to diminish it's value similar to how 50 and 60 goals is not as impressive as it was 5 years ago,. For now just enjoy that anyone is going to get 100 assists in a season because it looked like it would never be done again.

 

[Rschmitz]

If next year a bunch of other forwards are competing for 100 assists sure.

 

[Sky04]

You know he's going to break 1pp assists too just because it'll piss people off.

 

[CupofOil]

It doesn't devalue the accomplishment because 3rd place is so far behind with 83 then you have a huge dip again to 70. It's not like there's a whole bunch of guys in range of 100 assists.

 

[1989]

Think it would be real interesting to see how people's opinion's changed if Kucherov exploded ahead in one game and beat McDavid to position #5.

 

[Zalos]

How about celebrating and being happy with something rare happening in the NHL for once? Why is there always a bunch of people trying to find ways to devalue feats accomplished by players of the current era?

We're having an awesome season and hockey is exciting. Rejoice!

 

[Sky04]

It doesn't devalue the accomplishment because 3rd place is so far behind with 83 then you have a huge dip again to 70. It's not like there's a whole bunch of guys in range of 100 assists.

No kidding. Even last year, only Kucherov and McDavid were in the 80's, 2 other players in the 70's and then usual mass group in the 60's for assists.

Guys are talking like normal players are reaching these plateaus. Kucherov is about to put up the 2nd highest scoring season ever by a European after Jagr. He already holds the 1st and 2nd highest scoring seasons by a Russian.

 

[daver]

I think someday McDavid will be more/less unanimously accepted as a Gretzky-tier player, probably 4th or 5th best of all time. Kucherov will be somewhere around Jagr's level. So it's still only going to be very, very rare players who can achieve it. I doubt we will see many players on Kucherov's level do it -- he is a little more rare because his instinct is SO based in playmaking.

If he isn't already, he won't be down the road.

 

[Ol' Jase]

Players with 100 assist seasons:

Wayne Gretzky
Mario Lemieux
Bobby Orr

That’s it. That’s the list.

How on earth can it “be diminished” if two players hit it this year…

 

[Ol' Jase]

One player hitting it is impressive, two not so much. Wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more 100 assist players in the following years, considering how many are already hitting 100+ points. Only a matter of time.

Dude, are you serious?

There was a guy scoring 200 points a year and still no one not named Gretzky, Orr or Lemieux ever did it.

 

[HolyHagelin]

How about celebrating and being happy with something rare happening in the NHL for once? Why is there always a bunch of people trying to find ways to devalue feats accomplished by players of the current era?

We're having an awesome season and hockey is exciting. Rejoice!

OP was not to denigrate or lessen anyone but to see how people think about it, and hopefully learn some interesting things

 

[Slapshot Sultan]

Of course it's a bit less impressive the more people hit it. Right now it's been done by 3 players. It's more impressive that only 3 people have done it, rather than soon to be 4 or 5.

 

[AndreRoy]

It doesn't devalue the achievement. It further calls into question whether McDavid is really ahead of his peers right now

Other than a couple seasons he was never that far ahead to begin with. Injuries aside Kucherov has been competitive with McDavid most seasons since reaching his prime.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

Doesn't devalue it whatsover. Being the 14th and 15th time in the league's 100+ history, and only players 4 & 5 to accomplish such a feat, means we should be in awe of what we are witnessing in terms of league history this season.

Between those two hitting 100 assists, Matthews possibly hitting 70 goals, and the season MacKinnon has had, if anything, it'll prove just how amazing this season was, and likely the best one in three decades.

 

[AndreRoy]

Yes, it will devalue it if Kucherov hits 100 assists too. Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr and Mcdavid is special! Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr, McDavid and Kucherov is not...

Personally I’d say the inclusion of the sole non-champion in that group is the one that devalues it, not that of the player whose postseason performances already solidified himself in a group with only Gretzky and Lemieux as its other members.