Honestly, if you looked at the NHL stat leaders 2024 back in November of that season, you probably would’ve lost a lot of money at the sportsbook. The 2023-24 campaign was basically a masterclass in "it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish." We saw scoring races that felt more like drag races and a rookie class that finally lived up to the massive, almost unfair, hype.
Everyone was talking about Connor McDavid’s slow start. People were genuinely worried. Then he goes out and puts up 100 assists like it’s a casual Sunday skate. But even with that historic surge, he didn't take the crown. That belongs to Nikita Kucherov, who was playing a different sport for most of the year.
The Art Ross Race was Absolute Chaos
Nikita Kucherov finished the year with 144 points. Just let that sink in for a second. It’s the highest total we’ve seen from a winger, well, ever. He was the engine for a Tampa Bay Lightning team that felt a bit top-heavy at times. He didn't just lead the league; he essentially carried his team into the postseason on his back.
But it wasn't a runaway. Nathan MacKinnon was breathing down his neck until the final week. MacKinnon ended with 140 points, a career high that in almost any other era would’ve secured him the scoring title easily. It’s kinda wild that we live in a time where 140 points only gets you second place.
McDavid finished third with 132 points. He missed a few games, sure, but the big story there was the 100 assists. He and Kucherov both hit the century mark in helpers in the same season. Before 2024, that had only happened with Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr. You’re looking at arguably the greatest offensive era since the early 90s.
Auston Matthews and the "What If" of 70 Goals
The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy race was basically the Auston Matthews show. He finished with 69 goals. Sixty-nine! It’s the most in a single season since Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny both hit 76 back in '93.
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The atmosphere in Toronto during those final three games was electric. Everyone was waiting for number 70. He hit the post. He had wide-open nets that just didn't go in. Honestly, it was agonizing to watch if you're a fan of history. Even without the round number, he beat the next closest guy, Sam Reinhart, by a staggering 12 goals. Reinhart had a massive breakout year in Florida with 57, mostly fueled by a power play that couldn't be stopped. Zach Hyman also cleared the 50-goal mark for the first time, proving that if you stand near McDavid and keep your stick on the ice, good things happen.
Defensemen and the New Guard
The blue line isn't just about blocking shots anymore. Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar have turned the position into a secondary offensive engine.
Quinn Hughes took home the Norris Trophy after leading all defensemen with 92 points. His skating is basically a cheat code. He finished with 75 assists and was a plus-38, which is just absurd for a guy playing over 25 minutes a night against top lines. Makar wasn't far behind with 90 points in 77 games. He actually had more goals than Hughes (21 to 17), but the Canucks' captain was more consistent throughout the full 82-game grind.
Evan Bouchard also emerged as a genuine superstar in Edmonton. He finished fourth in defensemen scoring with 82 points. His "Bouch-bomb" from the point became a legitimate nightmare for goalies on the penalty kill.
Top Scoring Defensemen 2023-24
Quinn Hughes (Vancouver): 92 points
Cale Makar (Colorado): 90 points
Roman Josi (Nashville): 85 points
Evan Bouchard (Edmonton): 82 points
Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay): 76 points
The Brick Walls: Goaltending Leaders
Goalies are weird. One year you're a Vezina finalist, the next you're fighting for a backup spot. But Connor Hellebuyck? He’s the exception.
Hellebuyck was the clear-cut best goalie in the league this year. He posted a .921 save percentage and a 2.39 goals-against average. Those numbers are impressive on their own, but when you look at how many high-danger chances Winnipeg allows, it’s even more impressive. He basically won the Jennings Trophy for the Jets by himself, though Laurent Brossoit played great in the backup role too.
Sergei Bobrovsky also had a massive "bounce back" (if you can call it that after his 2023 playoff run). He finished with 36 wins and six shutouts, tied for the league lead in the latter category. It’s clear that the Florida Panthers’ defensive system is a goalie's dream, but "Bob" still had to make the saves.
Connor Bedard and the Rookie Class
The Calder race was over before it started, despite a broken jaw. Connor Bedard finished with 61 points in 68 games. On a Chicago team that was, let's be honest, pretty thin on talent, that’s incredible. He was the focal point of every opposing coach's game plan, and he still produced.
Brock Faber made it interesting, though. The Minnesota defenseman played nearly 25 minutes a night and finished with 47 points. If Bedard hadn't been a "generational" talent, Faber would’ve walked away with the trophy. Luke Hughes in New Jersey also had a great year with 47 points, though his defensive game is still a work in progress compared to Faber’s.
Team Stats and the Power Balance
The New York Rangers snagged the Presidents' Trophy with 114 points. They were the most well-rounded team for the bulk of the season. Their power play was top-three, and Igor Shesterkin found his form in the second half.
But if you look at the underlying NHL stat leaders 2024 for teams, the Dallas Stars might have been the deepest. They had eight players score 20 or more goals. That’s just unfair. They finished second in the league with 113 points.
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On the flip side, the San Jose Sharks had a season to forget. They finished with a -150 goal differential. To put that in perspective, the next worst team (Chicago) was a -111. It was a historically tough year for the Sharks, but it did land them the number one pick for 2024.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at these stats to figure out what happens next season, keep a few things in mind. First, shooting percentage regression is real. Sam Reinhart shot 24.5% this year. The league average is around 10%. He’s great, but expecting another 55+ goal season is a massive gamble.
Second, watch the ice time for young defensemen. Evan Bouchard’s explosion wasn't a fluke; it was a result of him taking over the top power-play unit. When you see a young guy with a high skill set get a bump in "Time on Ice" (TOI), that's usually where the points follow.
Finally, goaltending is volatile. Hellebuyck is one of the few you can count on year-over-year. For everyone else, look at the team’s defensive structure. A goalie moving from a high-event team to a structured one (like the Panthers or Hurricanes) is almost always going to see their GAA drop, regardless of how "well" they actually play.
Take these numbers for what they are: a snapshot of a league that is getting faster and more skilled every single October. The 2023-24 season was a high-water mark for offensive talent, and with the salary cap finally starting to rise again, the "Stat Leaders" list for next year is going to be even harder to crack.
Check the official NHL stats page frequently to see how the per-game averages shift as the new season begins. Look specifically at "Expected Goals For" (xGF) to see which players are getting chances but not getting the bounces—those are your prime candidates for a breakout.