Race for the Rocket Richard 2021

[shaner8989]

Matthews wrist is done. Hasn’t shot the puck since his return. Won’t be winning any rocket

 

[jcs0218]

The Rocket Richard race for most goals, once thought to be a sure-thing for Auston Matthews, has become close.

Connor McDavid now has 20 goals, which is 1 goal behind Auston Matthews 21 goals.

Do you think McDavid will take away Matthews best chance at winning his first-ever major award?

* (Calder is a secondary award, in my opinion. You are only competing against other rookies.) *

 

[The Moose is Loose]

I think McDavid wins it.

He is making a statement this year and I think he has his mind set on shooting more. He's going to get a 4 trophy sweep.

 

[Captain Controversy]

I predicted at the beginning of the year that...
Mcdavid would win the Hart, Art Ross, Rocket and Lindsey.
Draisaitl Would win the Selke.
Loooooookin goooooood.

 

[BakedYams]

Toffoli plays Vancouver tonight. I suspect he will be in the lead by the end of the night, and possibly the season.

 

[Woncka]

I predicted at the beginning of the year that...
Mcdavid would win the Hart, Art Ross, Rocket and Lindsey.
Draisaitl Would win the Selke.
Loooooookin goooooood.

Draisaitl a Selke?

What?

 

[nhlfan9191]

Nope. The rocket belongs to Tyler Toffoli.

 

[Pietrangelo]

Toffoli plays Vancouver tonight. I suspect he will be in the lead by the end of the night, and possibly the season.

Just checked the schedule, back to back games for Toffoli against Vancouver. McDavid has no chance.

 

[SaltNPeca]

Who?

Whoever wins it in 2021, if not Pasta/OV will take it away from OV. Something can't be "taken away from AM" if he literally NEVER had it.

Leafs fans always looking at the standings and projections like 10 games in and dreaming. just lol

 

[East Coast Icestyle]

Who?

Whoever wins it in 2021, if not Pasta/OV will take it away from OV. Something can't be "taken away from AM" if he literally NEVER had it.

Leafs fans always looking at the standings and projections like 10 games in and dreaming. just lol

One, you're being over sensitive.
Two, he said take away his chance. He didn't say take away his award, or take away his winner status, or anything of the sort.
Third, 10 games in? The season is half over.

 

[MrThomas]

Jagr said that David will win the rockets from now on

 

[YYC]

Lets see how many articles TSN and Sportsnet can churn out before we make a decision.

 

[Three On Zero]

I'd be far more concerned if he doesn't. This year is the perfect storm for him to add it to his collection

 

[tuozzi]

Now I'm picturing McDavid storming the stage and tearing the award from Matthews' hands, thus completing his sweep.

 

[Spirit of 67]

Should just give McDavid every award.

Would be a lot less bickering that way.

 

[Mattavarner]

The Rocket Richard race for most goals, once thought to be a sure-thing for Auston Matthews, has become close.

Connor McDavid now has 20 goals, which is 1 goal behind Auston Matthews 21 goals.

Do you think McDavid will take away Matthews best chance at winning his first-ever major award?

* (Calder is a secondary award, in my opinion. You are only competing against other rookies.) *

What does this statement have to do with this years rocket race?
Edit, totally missed that paragraph before in the OP, and I agree the calder is secondary

 

[Plural]

If Matthews has his hand heal, I think he will win. But it's going to be close me thinks.

 

[HarrisonFord]

Maybe

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Who?

Whoever wins it in 2021, if not Pasta/OV will take it away from OV. Something can't be "taken away from AM" if he literally NEVER had it.

Leafs fans always looking at the standings and projections like 10 games in and dreaming. just lol

Or they are looking at what he's done every year since he's been in the league.

To the question, yes, due to injury, McDavid certainly has a shot. If not for that, he'd have no shot.

 

[TheFinalWord]

Who?

Whoever wins it in 2021, if not Pasta/OV will take it away from OV. Something can't be "taken away from AM" if he literally NEVER had it.

Leafs fans always looking at the standings and projections like 10 games in and dreaming. just lol

It'll be OK. But great addition to the thread.

 

[Spirit of 67]

Leafs fans always looking at the standings and projections like 10 games in and dreaming. just lol

Yep, just Leafs fans though.

Literally no other fan base does this.

Excellent observation.
Best point made, like, ever.

 

[LeafGrief]

Matthews has 21 goals in 27 games, and his wrist has been bothering him for a while. The Leafs have played 30 games, giving Matthews 26 more games to score in.

McDavid has 20g in 33 games, giving him 23 to score in.

Magic 8 ball says possibly.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

This really depends if Matthews wrist is back to normal now that hes had basically a week off.
If Matthews isnt playing his regular role theres no chance hes going to keep up with McDavid.
when Matthews wrist is fine it could be a much different conversation
all the luck to McDavid. he doesnt really need it, he's just too good.

 

[newfy]

This really depends if Matthews wrist is back to normal now that hes had basically a week off.
If Matthews isnt playing his regular role theres no chance hes going to keep up with McDavid.
when Matthews wrist is fine it could be a much different conversation
all the luck to McDavid. he doesnt really need it, he's just too good.

Matthews wrist getting healthy should make it more interesting for sure. But a healthy wrist doesnt mean he comes back scoring at the ridiculous pace he was either. Before this season his career S% was 15.69, this year its up over 3 percent. If he was shooting at his career percentage he would have 17-18 goals. Now in a short year, a year older and in a higher scoring division he could absolutely keep his percentage up.

But staying as hot as he was pre injury is less likely than it is likely. And McDavid is basically chugging along at his career average right now. I think its gonna come down to the wire but McDavid is the type that I could see going similar to Crosby the year he decided he wanted to win the rocket.

 

[Mats13]

Matthews with more goals in 6 less games and 3 games in hand

Ya I’m sure mcdavids gonna take it from him lmao

Also his wrist is getting better so prepare for him to go back to his early season goal scoring pace