Connor McDavid is the best hockey player in the world, and there is no argument in the world. The 25-year-old superstar can do it all, as every game he plays is a highlight reel waiting to happen. Thanks to his elite talent, McDavid has already taken home plenty of hardware in such a short time. He is already a four-time Art Ross Trophy winner, a three-time Ted Lindsay Award Winner, and a two-time Hart Trophy Award winner. But one award that has snuck away from him is the Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophy awarded to the player with the most goals in the regular season.
Even with three 40-goal seasons to his name, McDavid has never been able to finish first, but it seems this may be his year for that to all change. Through 43 games, the elite forward has already recorded 35 goals as he sits atop the NHL. At his current scoring pace, he is set to reach 66 goals which would be a new career-high blowing his previous high of 44 out of the water.
While 66 seems like an unachievable number in today’s NHL, McDavid has the talent and skill to reach this feat. Just last year Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs finished the season with 60 goals and took home the Rocket Richard Trophy.
What makes McDavid so dangerous in this race is his ability to score every game. In the Month of December, he scored in 12 of the 14 games he played, scoring a total of 14 goals. His ability to also score multiple goals in a game helps his chances of finishing first. Over the course of the season, he already has five multi-goal games, including two hat tricks.
With 40 games left for the Oilers, McDavid has an opportunity to leave his mark on what is set to be a career year for a guy who has career highs of 44 goals, 79 assists, and 123 points.
McDavid will have have to keep David Pastrnak, Tage Thompson, and Alex Ovechkin at arms reach if he wishes to take home the 2022-23 Rocket Richard Trophy.
For those that wish to bet on McDavid to win the Rocket Richard Trophy, he is the favorite with +175 odds.
