NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we take a look at three underlying metrics storylines behind Kirill Kaprizov’s early case for the Rocket Richard trophy.
Kirill Kaprizov leads the NHL with 14 goals in 14 games this season for the Minnesota Wild, with his elite advanced metrics making him the front-runner for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.
The only players during the past 30 years (since 1996-97) to score more than a goal per game through their first 14 games of a season were Simon Gagne (16, 2005-06), Auston Matthews (15, 2018-19) and Leon Draisaitl (15, 2021-22). Kaprizov also became the eighth player in NHL history to score at least 14 goals in a single October.
The only two players who scored more in October were Mario Lemieux (16, 1992 and 1988; 15, 1986) and Brett Hull (15, 1990); the Wild play one more game this month, against the New York Islanders on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; Wild+, MINNHL, MSGSN).
Since entering the NHL in 2020-21, Kaprizov ranks fifth in the League in goals (244 in 411 games), fourth in power-play goals (85) and tied for ninth in points per game (1.21). Together with fellow elite skaters Matt Boldy and Quinn Hughes, Kaprizov has helped Minnesota start the season 9-3-2 to lead the Western Conference.
The Wild, who never have reached the Stanley Cup Final, look to build upon the momentum from winning their first Stanley Cup Playoff series (defeated Dallas Stars in 2026 first round) in more than a decade (previous playoff series win was in 2015).
Here are three underlying metrics fueling Kaprizov’s historic goal-scoring start:
2. Well-rounded shot metrics
Kaprizov is tied with Sennecke and Elias Lindholm for first in the NHL in tipped goals (three) this season and also ranks highly in both snap shot goals (five; tied for second) and backhand goals (three). Kaprizov’s shot speed metrics also have helped him thrive from perimeter zones.
Kaprizov ranks in the 95th percentile among forwards in 70-80 mph shot attempts (15) and in the 93rd percentile in 80-90 mph shot attempts (seven) this season. He also ranks in the 82nd percentile in hardest shot (86.95 mph) this season.
Last season, Kaprizov ranked in the 93rd percentile or higher among forwards in high-danger, mid-range and long-range shots on goal. He also ranked in the 96th percentile at his position in high-danger goals (19) and in the 95th percentile in mid-range goals (12) last season.
