NHL: Who'll be the next to pull off 50/50?

[DeToxRox]

Not since Brett Hull has someone accomplished 50 goals in 50 games, but with the new rules, someone will do it, so the question is who.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I would say Ovechkin has the best shot at it.

[DeToxRox]

I say Kovalchuck, because he has Hossa right now. Ovechkin won't do it until he gets a proven playmaker to play with him.

[Schmidty]

Henrik Zetterberg in a year or two. When all is said and done, he'll be the best player in the NHL.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Not since Brett Hull has someone accomplished 50 goals in 50 games, but with the new rules, someone will do it, so the question is who.
I was just thinking, didn't Cam Neely score 50 goals in 50 games (or perhaps less) before going down with an injury in the early-to-mid 90's? Ah, just checked Wikipedia. Apparently it was unofficial, since it was his team's 66th game or something. Lemieux had a recent one too (95-96).

[Honolulu_Blue]

Henrik Zetterberg in a year or two. When all is said and done, he'll be the best player in the NHL.
While I love and appreciate the Red (Wings) tinted glasses you wear so nicely and Zetterberg is an amazing talent, he's not really a pure goal scorer like the other guys mentioned (or other players who have accomplished this feat). He also doesn't shoot the puck enough for it. Zetterberg is an amazing all around talent, but not really a sniper.

[DeToxRox]

With that said, a name I'll throw out there is Phil Kessel. Right now he could end up with Pittsburgh or Washington. If he goes to Pittsburgh, Crosby will have Malkin and Kessel as potential linemates which means he and Malkin could set Kess up for 50, since Kess is a natural offensive talent.

Or Kess could go to Washington where he could be the missing link with Ovechkin, and it could be just amazing to see them together.

Just something to ponder.

[DeToxRox]

I was just thinking, didn't Cam Neely score 50 goals in 50 games (or perhaps less) before going down with an injury in the early-to-mid 90's? Ah, just checked Wikipedia. Apparently it was unofficial, since it was his team's 66th game or something. Lemieux had a recent one too (95-96).

Touche. I forgot about Mario's, and I am not sure how, but thanks for reminding me. I thought it'd been done since Hull, but I couldn't remember off hand so I assumed not.

[Schmidty]

While I love and appreciate the Red (Wings) tinted glasses you wear so nicely and Zetterberg is an amazing talent, he's not really a pure goal scorer like the other guys mentioned (or other players who have accomplished this feat). He also doesn't shoot the puck enough for it. Zetterberg is an amazing all around talent, but not really a sniper.

The way he's been going to the net this season, I can actually see him turning into a goal scorer, and a great one at that.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Touche. I forgot about Mario's, and I am not sure how, but thanks for reminding me. I thought it'd been done since Hull, but I couldn't remember off hand so I assumed not.
Here's the link I found:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_goals_in_50_games

[Honolulu_Blue]

With that said, a name I'll throw out there is Phil Kessel. Right now he could end up with Pittsburgh or Washington. If he goes to Pittsburgh, Crosby will have Malkin and Kessel as potential linemates which means he and Malkin could set Kess up for 50, since Kess is a natural offensive talent.

Or Kess could go to Washington where he could be the missing link with Ovechkin, and it could be just amazing to see them together.

Just something to ponder.
Not that it means anything, but I had Kessel and Ovechkin in my EHM: 2005 Washington Capitols dynasty. They played on a line together for many years and were a very successful duo. They were the cornerstones of many, many, many Stanley Cups.

[DeToxRox]

The way he's been going to the net this season, I can actually see him turning into a goal scorer, and a great one at that.

I think Z will put up 50 a few times if he stays on Dats wing, but if he plays Center he'll be a solid 35 goal and 60 assists guy.

[DeToxRox]

Not that it means anything, but I had Kessel and Ovechkin in my EHM: 2005 Washington Capitols dynasty. They played on a line together for many years and were a very successful duo. They were the cornerstones of many, many, many Stanley Cups.

Indeed, I remember reading about that in an EHM Impressions thread. Kessel and Ovechkins problem could be in real life they apparently have massive egos, but Kessel can sure dish it when he wants to. I think he's a sure thing coming out of this draft and it'd just be awesome to see, and a great story. The best American player to come out in years playing in the Nations capital? I'd love it.

But .. Crosby/Malkin/Kessel is sick. Just sick.

[Schmidty]

I think Z will put up 50 a few times if he stays on Dats wing, but if he plays Center he'll be a solid 35 goal and 60 assists guy.

Good point. I really hope they keep him at wing, but his defensive ability is much better served at center.

[ISiddiqui]

I'm going to say Kovalchuck. The kid can score and Atlanta seems to be a very offensive minded team in this offensive minded league.

[DeToxRox]

Good point. I really hope they keep him at wing, but his defensive ability is much better served at center.

Yeah, I'd agree. But until Lang is gone (and I like Lang, but he cannot play wing) Z will be a winger, barring injuries to any normal centers. I really can't complain, wherever he plays, he's just awesome.

[bhlloy]

I'd say Ovechkin, great players with him or not. The kid is a goal scoring machine. Playing on a bad team/without any other star players on his line also means he will get more shots I'd imagine.

Kovalchuk could also do it. Don't think the other guys on the list have much of a shot.

[DeToxRox]

I'm going to say Kovalchuck. The kid can score and Atlanta seems to be a very offensive minded team in this offensive minded league.

Exactly. Atlanta doesn't know the definition of defense, and Kovalchuck has the best shot in the NHL from a release/accuracy standpoint. He can score just about anyway imaginable.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Good point. I really hope they keep him at wing, but his defensive ability is much better served at center.
This is very true. At the moment, the Wings are so stacked at center with Datsyuk, Lang, Draper, and Yzerman, it's nice to have Zetterberg as a winger. That was one thing I felt we really lacked going into the season: scoring wingers, but Zetterberg has filled that role nicely, Shanahan has performed way above my expectations, as has Samuelsson. Zetterberg is a good fit playing with Datsyuk. They work very well together.

[DeToxRox]

This is very true. At the moment, the Wings are so stacked at center with Datsyuk, Lang, Draper, and Yzerman, it's nice to have Zetterberg as a winger. That was one thing I felt we really lacked going into the season: scoring wingers, but Zetterberg has filled that role nicely, Shanahan has performed way above my expectations, as has Samuelsson. Zetterberg is a good fit playing with Datsyuk. They work very well together.

Next year it's quite possible you'll see Grigerenko play with Dats and Z play with Hudler or Flippula. Should be exciting.

[Schmidty]

Next year it's quite possible you'll see Grigerenko play with Dats and Z play with Hudler or Flippula. Should be exciting.

I just wish that Hudler and Grigorenko were bigger and stronger, because at this point I see them as being a liability on defense. That's a bad thing for a center. Filppula is small too, but from what I've read, he's solid on D.

[Johnny93g]

Of the choices avaialbe, id say Ovechkin. I dont care who he's playing with. He's gonna get better and better, and i think we could do it within 2-3 years.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Voted Kovalchuk...and I'm a Pens fan. As someone else mentioned here, he scores from everywhere on the ice. Crosby and Ovechkin, in this category anyway, I think actually are hindered by playing a complete game. Kovy's game is scoring goals, period. And when you have his release, probably rightfully so...no need to be trying to set someone up. He makes some passes that could take someone's leg off...he doesn't have that touch like Gretz and Lemieux had...and hopefully Crosby continues to show.

Not that he was a choice...but Pavel Bure under the current rules. No red line, he'd cherry pick all game long.

[Travis]

I'm going with other, and a limb (re: homer) pick and say Ales Hemsky. The kid has shown that when he does decide to shoot, he's an absolute terror. We're already seeing the transformation right now that he's shooting in more situations, so the big jump he has left to make is his decision making on whether to shoot/pass at any given time. Once he's making the correct decision 80%+ of the time, I think he'll have a very realistic chance at this number. There aren't a lot of players in the league that can create room for themselves the way he can and he has a very lethal wrist shot. If his maturity continues at the pace it's going, by the start of next season, he could be in a position to give it a run.

[Draft Dodger]

Kovalchuk gets my vote

[Fidatelo]

How is Rick Nash not on that list?

[st.cronin]

Ovechkin is crazy delicious. I can see most of those guys taking a run at it, but Ovechkin is the one I would want on my team.

[ice4277]

Other, either Karl Bernal or Rob Nielsen.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'd go with Kovalchuk here, although if Scott Gomez or Brian Gionta applied themselves (and completely ignored the New Jersey system), they have the talent. That's just the Devils fan in me talking, though.

To mention the other guys in the poll, I think Ovechkin could score 50 in 50 games, but I don't think he'll be the next. Jagr is having a monster season, but I don't see him as being a 50-goal guy. I haven't been watching the Flyers at all this year, but looking at the stats, Simon Gagne is just having a career year. I know he's not even 26 yet, but it feels like he's been around forever. I can't peg him as a 50/50 guy until he shows that he can play like this every year. I've been hearing about Eric Staal all season, but I haven't even seen the guy yet. As well as Carolina is playing, I can't bring myself to watch them. Maybe he could do it, but I just don't know enough about him.

And that brings me to Sidney Crosby. I like Crosby a lot, but until a team gets built around him (and Lemieux's retirement may have opened the door for that), he won't do it. I'm really amazed at how many goals Crosby has scored. Far too often, I see him looking to pass first and shoot second. That's fine if your teammates are on their game, but they're not. Maybe it's just my perception about him looking to pass. I mean, he leads the Pens in shots on goal, but I've seen him pass up a lot of shots. He's trying to play team hockey when he has no team. Recchi has been decent, Palffy was doing OK but not scoring (and he's retired now anyway), and that's it. I have never seen John LeClair look like such a stiff before. The other guys pretty much just suck this year. At least for this year, Crosby needs to do it himself, and he's trying too hard not to do that. Unless the team improves or his mindset changes, he's not going to score 50 goals because he'll be trying to get 50 assists instead. They sure as hell don't have anybody to assist him.

So, uh, anyway, I'm going with Kovalchuk.

[Lathum]

I think a healthy Elias has a chance.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I think a healthy Elias has a chance.How I mentioned Gomez and Gionta without bringing up Elias is beyond me. :)