Over the last few hours, we’ve been on NHL overload as the league unveiled the Return To Play Plan. Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the 2019-20 regular season is done with and the focus is geared towards the phases and formats for the postseason. However, NHLPA executive director Don Fehr told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski that there isn’t a “collectively bargained decision” on where statistics from the “qualification round” are going to be counted. So, what does this mean for Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak, who were prematurely deemed winners of the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy?
Don’t give Alex Ovechkin and David Pastrnak that Rocket Richard Trophy yet. NHLPA executive director Don Fehr tells ESPN that there’s been no collectively bargained decision on where statistics from the “qualification round” are going to be counted. NHL… https://t.co/IDmGactKbW
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 26, 2020
Here are the top 10 NHL players with the most goals from this season— Pastrnak and Ovechkin both lead with 48 goals.
The Bruins and Capitals join the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers as the top four seeds in the Eastern Conference. They will play in a round-robin tournament for seeding. The winners from the Qualifying Round play the top four seeds in the First Round. Again, here is another look at that Qualifying Round:
Here’s the kicker: neither Ovechkin or Pastrnak are going to be playing in the Qualifying Round. If statistics are going to be counted in that round, there is a possibility for a change in winner or winners in this case due to the play-in. Ovechkin’s chance for his ninth Rocket Richard Trophy would be in jeopardy.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews is just one goal shy of Ovechkin and Pastrnak and could likely score in the best-of-five series. It’s the same scenario for Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, who is deemed the Art Ross Trophy winner for the season. Draisaitl would need five goals to tie with Ovechkin and Pastrnak. I wouldn’t rule New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (41 goals) out of the race either.
If statistics are not going to be counted in the Qualifying Round and are concluded as said by Bettman earlier today, Ovechkin and Pastrnak are still winners of Rocket Richard Trophy unless otherwise stated.
By Della Young
That’s total crap you cant do it that way. If your gonna do that you mine as well let it run all the way through the playoffs. The season it technically over the qualifying round is not regular season pla . Its playoff play
I get what your saying. It’s really somewhere in between. The teams that play in the “play in “ round are technically not playoff teams. They need to “play” their way into post season. But the regular season is over, so what are those teams? They should have just called the play in series the first round.
Dont believe Wyshinski! Commisioner Bettman said stats&awards are frozen&awarded based off pause date. Playoff round if the stats count are Playoff stats.. NBC Sports article says it& you cant add “Limbo” stats to Regular season stats just like how they dont add shootout goals to a persons goal totals. So the playoff round will either be like a shootout and just be in limbo or added directly to playoff stats like NBC reporting and most expect. OV&Pasta share Rocket. No.9 for OV. Carlson should win his 1st Norris, Draisitl gets Ross for points, and very good chance for MVP along with Mckinnon and couple others.
I get what your saying, but it’s likely the case. Have you noticed neither the Caps nor the Bruins have officially acknowledged it?
WAS and BOS won’t play in the “qualifying Round” but in “Seeding Round Robin featuring the top four teams in each conference.” If Ovi scores 2 goals then will he get his record-tying 9th 50-goal season?