Here is a list of the Top-50 point getters in the NHL this season, so likely to be - with some exceptions of course - the top scorers in the BRHL2 next season. Below are all top 50 NHL scoring forwards and all Top-30 NHL scoring defensemen (minus those who for sure will be UFA), organized by team, in descending order from the team with highest single scorer (e.g., Crosby's Sabres, then Lecavalier's Lightning, etc).
The players in brackets (Zubrus) are not presently in the Top-50 of NHL scoring but are the next ten highest scorers, close enough to possibly end up in the top list by season's end.
List of BRHL2 franchises with rights to best hopes for next season's top scoring:
Buffalo Sabres: Crosby, Kopitar, Bouwmeester, Weber Tampa Bay Lightning: Lecavalier, Briere, Tanguay, Bergeron, (Zubrus), Liles Colorado Avalanche: St. Louis, Malkin (Richards) Edmonton Oilers: Savard, Kovalchuk, Afinogenov, (Blake), Salei Boston Bruins: Hossa, Datsyuk, Pronger, Pitkanen Chicago Blackhawks: Thornton Atlanta Thrashers: Heatley, Brind'amour, Frolov, Huselius, B. Clark Phoenix Coyotes: Selanne, Whitney, Shanahan, Rozsival San Jose Sharks: Ovechkin, Staal Montreal Canadiens: Iginla, Elias, Souray, Campbell Minnesota Wild: Zetterberg, Sedin, Sedin, Boyle Toronto Maple Leafs: Marleau Nashville Predators: Nylander, Schneider Calgary Flames: Langkow, Drury, Rafalski New Jersey Devils: S. Kozlov, Alfredsson, Jovanovski Detroit Red Wings: Cammalleri, Kaberle, Phaneuf Washington Capitals: O. Jokinen, A. McDonald, Visnovsky Columbus BlueJackets: Kariya, (Gagne) Anaheim: Sullivan, Brunette, Gonchar St.Louis Blues: Semin, (Koivu), Chara Vancouver Canucks: Vanek Florida Panthers: Williams, (Vyborny), Timonen, Whitney, Markov Carolina Hurricanes: Spezza New York Rangers: Stastny Philadelphia Flyers: Niedermayer Pittsburgh Penguins: McCabe, Preissing Dallas Stars: (Cole), (Rolston), Zubov Ottawa Senators: Bieksa, Salo
I did the analysis to see what interesting results there'd be. Some pretty killer 5-man first units can be iced next season (assuming those with RFA can re-sign them as some will ask for huge raises).
Some observations:
1) Crosby could make a run at the scoring title and help Kopitar get the Calder. 2) Malkin could play left wing in Colorado to maximize his rookie trophy chances. 3) Florida will be able to ice three excellent scoring blueliners. 4) Tampa could look very much the same as this season: loaded top end. 5) Phoenix has the wingers and will just need the centre (Sundin?) 6) Atlanta has a LW/RW, C/LW and LW/RW so many line options. 7) A top RW like UFA Jagr or Recchi would look good on the top line in San Jose. 8 )A ZSS line in Minnesota would be cool looking. 9) Poor Thornton in Chicago deserves better! 10) Kariya will suddenly be almost alone at the top in Columbus. 11) Few Western conference teams to compete with Edmonton's top line unit. 12) Good luck Stastny trying to compete for the Calder cup as a rookie Ranger. 13) Only the Kings and Islanders lack a top-end performer for next season.
Of course the Top-50 scoring forwards and Top-30 scoring defensemen is looking at only combined points where some players not in the Top-50 in total points but high in goals or assists to re-rate well as a top-end offensive support player rather than all-around offensive talent.
For example, Atlanta's Hemsky with only 9 goals but an impressive 40 assists, and the NYI's Top-20 goal scoring Guerin with 28 goals but only 19 assists and Calgary's Murray with 27 goals, 17 assists.
And there are a few top-end offensive players not in the Top-50 due to injury that could do well, re-rating well in offensive categories but not in endurance or durability. For instance, Havlat's 46 points in 39 games will mean that Chicago's Thornton will not be all alone in top-end offensive category ratings (PA, SC) and Redden of Philly has 24 points in 44 games. New Jersey's Forsberg has also missed about 20 games due to injury.
Plus line chemistry among lesser rated non-top-50 forwards and non-top-30 blueliners could provide some pleasant surprises.
But all in all, a look at who has the top scorers in the NHL is interesting in looking past this season.
