ESPN has just released their list of their top-10 projected points leaders for the upcoming 2023-24 season. And let's just say, there are more than a few surprises on this list.
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Players who barely missed the cut:
15) Erik Karlsson - points: 97
14) Tage Thompson - points: 98
T-12) Auston Matthews - points: 99
T-12) Mikko Rantanen - points: 99
11) Mitch Marner - points: 102
10) Kirill Kaprizov - Projected points: 103
Projections have Kirill Kaprizov scoring 48 Goals and 55 Assists.
9) David Pastrnak - Projected points: 105
Projections have David Pastrnak scoring 56 Goals and 49 Assists.
8) Nathan Mackinnon - Projected points: 106
Projections have Nathan Mackinnon scoring 41 Goals and 65 Assists. It's predicted that Mackinnon will only suit up for 69 games in 2023-24.
T-7) Nikita Kucherov - Projected points: 107
Projections have Nikita Kucherov scoring 33 Goals and 74 Assists.
T-7) Jack Hughes - Projected points: 107
Projections have Jack Hughes scoring 46 Goals and 61 Assists.
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5) Jason Robertson - Projected points: 108
Projections have Jason Robertson scoring 45 Goals and 63 Assists for an impressive campaign.
4) Matthew Tkachuk - Projected points: 112
Projections have Matthew Tkachuk scoring 42 Goals and adding 70 Assists as he looks to rebound from his Stanley Cup Finals loss.
3) Elias Pettersson - Projected points: 116
Projections have Elias Pettersson scoring 45 Goals and 71 Assists for an impressive 116 points on this Canucks team hoping to return to the Post season.
2) Leon Draisaitl - Projected points: 129
Projections have Leon Draisaitl scoring 55 Goals and adding 74 Assists, making him third in NHL scoring.
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1) Connor McDavid - Projected points: 148
Projections have Connor McDavid scoring 61 Goals and adding 87 Assists to win him a second consecutive Rocket Richard trophy.
While it is no surprise to see Connor McDavid in the number 1 spot on this list, there are several other big name players that belong on this list. (See the poll below).
Luckily, this is just a projection based on historical data and statistical analysis, and should only be taken with a grain of salt. Until the games have been played, nobody can predict what is going to happen.
Who are the biggest snubs of the 2023-24 ESPN projections?
0%Auston Matthews
0%Mikko Rantanen
0%Tage Thompson
0%Mitch Marner
I can see Pettersson getting 45 goals but i'm not convinced he'll get 71 assists. Also, i can't see Karlsson getting 97 points with the Penguins this season.