Kucherov has won numerous awards for one season. Among NHL Russians, only Ovechkin and Malkin dominated this track – NHL News – Hockey

"I'm here for the first time, so it's too early to say I took over. Ovechkin and Malkin come here all the time, I'm so far away from them. But I will try to move on.

In general, we have a good hockey school in Russia. Thanks to the coaches who are working in the right direction. Now, a new generation is growing, guys are constantly developing and striving to play in the best league in the world..

A few days before the awards ceremony, Tampa Bay Lightning striker Nikita Kucherov modestly communicated with reporters and did so in vain. In the night from Wednesday to Thursday, Moscow time, he went from beginner status to the NHL Awards to his main character. Of the Las Vegas Where the biggest celebration of the best league in the world has taken place, the native of Maikop leaves with three prestigious awards: the Hart Trophy, the Art Rossi Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Trophy. In the history of the National Hockey League, only two Russian players have managed to collect such a set of awards in one season. In 2008, all competitors were manufactured by Alexander Ovechkin. In 2012, his feat was repeated by Yevgeny Malkin. Now, the company of the great joins and Kucherov.

Kucherov flew to the gambling capital of the world, knowing that he would receive at least one prize. After scoring 128 points in the NHL regular league and breaking the Russian performance record, which belonged to Alexander Mogilny, Nikita won the Art Ross Trophy. Edmonton forward Connor McDavid has won the award twice, but the Russian has left no chance for the Canadian candidate and other Art Ross candidates. McDavid's Tampa striker was 12 points ahead, with the rest bringing in more. Six years later, the trophy, awarded in 1947 to the league by a former coach and coach of the Boston Bruins, was again registered in Russia.

Frankly, another reward was guaranteed for Nikita. The owners of the Hart Trophy – the most valuable player of the regular championship – are determined by the members of the NHL Journalists Association A few days before the ceremony, the five authors of the league's official website shared their thoughts on the name of the future owner of the "Hart" and the name of Kucherov.

"Nobody was better in the regular season than Kucherov. He took the lead of the bombing on December 27 and did not miss until the end of the championship. He scored points in 62 games on 82 and in 38 games he won more than one point. In those matches, when Nikita gave a pbad or scored a goal, "Lightning" won 54 times and lost only 8 times at meetings, while Nikita did not score, "Tampa" lost 12 times with 8 wins. Discuss? What are the debates? Everything is clear here, "said Dan Rosen, author of Nhl.com.

Other media representatives seemed to have exactly the same opinion. Kucherov was followed by five Canadians in the badessment of their votes, but none of them can say he was about to win the Hart Trophy. Of the 171st journalists, 164 gave first place to the Russian superbombardier. For example, Alexander Ovechkin on the first line did not put one.

By the way, after winning the first "Hart" of his career, Ovi won it right away. Given that Tampa is already qualified as the top Stanley Cup contender next season, Kucherov should be able to reiterate the success of the great Russian sniper.

It's a good night for me and my family. Thanks to my teammates, my coaches, everyone involved in the team. Thanks to them for helping me get here. Without them, without all the work we did together, I would not be here. Part of this success goes to everyone. Thank you to my guys and I look forward to it again next year.

Nikita Kucherov, Lightning striker in Tampa Bay

The third prize Kucherov – "Ted Lindsay Evard." Its owner is determined by the voting members of the National Hockey League players who choose the most outstanding hockey player of the past season. In 2017 and 2018, the players chose McDavid, he was among the top three winners and this time. American Patrick Kane of "Chicago" was another "winner". But they did not manage to get around the Russians.

Kucherov became the second player in NHL history, who was selected in the second round of the repechage, then won the "Ted Lindsay Evard" (the first to succeed Bobby Clark in 1973). In addition, Nikita is the fourth Russian hockey player to receive this award (with the exception of Ovechkin and Malkin, Sergey Fedorov also won).

It matters a lot to me. You compete with these guys every night and you get recognition from them. It certainly means a lot. I am really happy.

Nikita Kucherov, Lightning striker in Tampa Bay

For real The big season earned Kucherov three prestigious awards. The next goal of crazy hockey (in the true sense of the term) in pre-hockey is the Stanley Cup. Now he has to join Ovechkin and Malkin and in the company of Russian owners of the silver cup.