Capable of 90+ pts

[Eli26]

Just for fun, I've compiled a list of current NHL'ers who have not yet scored 90+ pts in a season, but I feel have potential to do so at some point in their career. I've ranked them in order of how likely I feel they are to eclipsing 90 at some point.

Please comment, post your own ranking, list players I may have overlooked, or indicate if any of the players I've listed shouldn't be considered.

Eichel
Pettersson
Kaprizov
Barzal
Lafreniere
Hughes
Svechnikov
Zegras
Rossi
Caufield
Stutzle
Byfield

The problem with Matthew Barzal is you shouldn't look at him as a potential 90 point guy. His past 3 seasons average 67 points over 82 games. He reminds me of Joe Juneau, where his rookie season could end up becoming his best season. Barzal was shielded in a protected second line spot, having top shutdown lines focusing on the then John Tavares top line, and being a rookie, teams were just learning and figuring him out. He also recorded three 5 point games that season. I am not sure if he hit 5 points in a game since then. That was also within a fire wagon Doug Weight system vs. the much tighter defensive system they play under Barry Trotz. Combine the fact he also has no other star/superstar to play with and it's looking more than likely what we see out of him now, is what you're going to get with a chance of slight improvement. Lots will have to change before I can see him hitting 90.

Kirill Karpizov could, that's if he signs in Minnesota and doesn't go back to the KHL. My other thought is how long it took him to get here. Perhaps a safer bet is 80-something. It's not like he had this amazing rookie season at 20, he had it at 24.

Cole Caufield is probably too short of 80. Get it? "Too short"... I see him more as a Max Pacioretty type in terms of top-out production. More of a 30-40 goal scorer with the outside chance at 80. If anyone gets 90 points on Montreal, it's Nick Suzuki.

Since we're adding prospects, I'll go with Cole Perfetti. I see a very cerebral player capable of hitting 90 points in 4-5 years, making his way to the top of the Jets line up as the 1LC... he'll have one of Nikolaj Ehlers and/or Kyle Connor as eventual wingers, and guys like Chaz Lucius coming up in the pipeline for even further down the road. Everything from his shot, to his passing, to his deft skating and shiftiness, to his willingness to learn and perfect his game has me think he can turn into that. His CHL and AHL production has been fantastic. 100 points in his last 50 OHL games. 18 points in his last 14 AHL games. Record 8 goals and 12 points in the Hlinka/Gretzky tournament and has the right pieces ahead of him in Winnipeg to excel.

Jack Eichel is a good one. He had 78 points in 68 games in 19/20 on a bad Sabres team. That's a 94 point prorate over 82 games and that was at age 23. Give him a season free of injury and Pandemic stoppage/shortage, and some good linemates and 100 points is even possible.

Sebastian Aho looks like a sure-fire winner to 90 points, if I had anyone to bank on. That's the Canes forward, not the Islanders defenseman, btw.

Funny how you included Andrei Svechnikov, but not Aho. C'mon! One has failed to hit 70 points, while the other has broken a point-per-game twice through out his career. What's da matta wit chu? And since we're on the topic of potential 90 point threats in Carolina, while he's not exactly there yet and won't be for a while, I think he has the best combination of future linemates, special teams draw, talent within and the trajectory.... Martin Necas. His shot, skating, and ability to do amazing things with the puck has me think, he could pull it off.

Mark Scheifele looks promising. Funny that he hasn't hit it yet, but I can see a career year at 90.

As for defenseman, I have a difficult time seeing it as we haven't seen a 90 point defenseman in over 25 years, but what the heck, Cale Makar is the perfect mix of internal talent, playing with external talent, and at that age and what he has shown, he could have an outside chance at 90. But before guys say woah, he hit a point-per-game already as a sophomore, he hasn't done it over 82 games and people also said Teemu Selanne would score 100 goals after scoring 76 goals as a rookie. Temper expectations. That being said, anything is possible.

I am going to have some fun and be what? I can't prove that I guessed years ago Johnny Gaudreau would hit 90 points before he made the NHL, but I did, but it's my word and a few buddies vs. well, this site. So I'll have another go with my other potential candidate that nobody would see it coming, but I did... who knows, maybe lightning strikes twice in Thomas Bordeleau! The Sharks are starved of a kid with his potential and talents. He's a very good skater, can stick handle with the best of them in tight spaces, can make plays that only few NHL stars can pull off and has a half-decent shot. Looked like a stand out in the Summer showcase for the USA team, and looked good in a scrimmage with William Eklund. Put up better Draft+1 college freshman numbers (points-per-game wise) than Johnny Hockey and Cole Caufield, with 30 points in 24 games. Led a Michegan team that had 3 kids picked in the top 5 of this past season's NHL Draft. I am using him as my long shot and wildcard. So remember this post.

[hockeyrobot]

Im throwing Dach's name into the race. If he can get rolling with Kane and Debrincat before Kane is too old I could easily see it happening.

[Eli26]

Im throwing Dach's name into the race. If he can get rolling with Kane and Debrincat before Kane is too old I could easily see it happening.

I had Larkin one day reaching 90 points... hit 73 in 76 games at age 22... seemed almost safe at that point, based on his game-breaking speed and tenacity... plus I loved what he could get accomplished with Bertuzzi and Mantha. Unfortunately that line couldn't stay healthy long enough or the fact that they become pretty much a one line team, so it makes it easy for teams to focus on one third/two thirds of one line to shut down, or the fact Mantha isn't even there anymore. Can Larkin even reach 80 points at this point? He's 25 now.

With Vrana there and the emergence of a few youngsters like Raymond, perhaps they can turn the page... but yeah.... what is your top end for D Boss?

[Daydream Nation]

Im throwing Dach's name into the race. If he can get rolling with Kane and Debrincat before Kane is too old I could easily see it happening.

I just don't see the finish or elite playmaking from Dach to see a 90 ceiling. He has the body, puck control, and desire to drive play but the offensive toolkit would have to take a major step forward. I think Dach peaks around 70-75 pts.

[SeaDawg]

The problem with Matthew Barzal is you shouldn't look at him as a potential 90 point guy. His past 3 seasons average 67 points over 82 games. He reminds me of Joe Juneau, where his rookie season could end up becoming his best season. Barzal was shielded in a protected second line spot, having top shutdown lines focusing on the then John Tavares top line, and being a rookie, teams were just learning and figuring him out. He also recorded three 5 point games that season. I am not sure if he hit 5 points in a game since then. That was also within a fire wagon Doug Weight system vs. the much tighter defensive system they play under Barry Trotz. Combine the fact he also has no other star/superstar to play with and it's looking more than likely what we see out of him now, is what you're going to get with a chance of slight improvement. Lots will have to change before I can see him hitting 90.

Yep, someone else mentioned this already and you are correct. That said, if Barzal ever plays for a different team or gets a star winger, I feel he has the talent to eclipse 90. He's only 24 so has a long career ahead of him still.

Sebastian Aho looks like a sure-fire winner to 90 points, if I had anyone to bank on. That's the Canes forward, not the Islanders defenseman, btw.

Funny how you included Andrei Svechnikov, but not Aho. C'mon! One has failed to hit 70 points, while the other has broken a point-per-game twice through out his career. What's da matta wit chu? And since we're on the topic of potential 90 point threats in Carolina, while he's not exactly there yet and won't be for a while, I think he has the best combination of future linemates, special teams draw, talent within and the trajectory.... Martin Necas. His shot, skating, and ability to do amazing things with the puck has me think, he could pull it off.

Yeah, Aho was simply an oversight in my initial list. I completely agree that he has a chance at 90.

[skinnypete88]

I don't think Tavares will hit 90, if he hasn't now he won't get the ice time to do it in Toronto barring a long term Matthews injury I think.

Kind of in the same vein I thought of throwing Seguin's name into the mix but I'm not confident.

I'm going to go a bit crazy and throw Tim Stutzle into the mix. I think in a couple of seasons and with Tkachuk and Batherson growing more they could all be dangerous.

[niconasr]

I don't think Tavares will hit 90, if he hasn't now he won't get the ice time to do it in Toronto barring a long term Matthews injury I think.

Kind of in the same vein I thought of throwing Seguin's name into the mix but I'm not confident.

I'm going to go a bit crazy and throw Tim Stutzle into the mix. I think in a couple of seasons and with Tkachuk and Batherson growing more they could all be dangerous.

Yeah, I agree. I threw Tavares' name because I think most people believe he has managed a 90-pt season in his career. Dude is paid 11M$ after all.

I loved watching Stutzle last year, he has a ton of skill. I don't know if I truly believe he can reach 90 but it's in the realm of possibilities.

[Pengwin7]

Hard thing on Stuetzle is that most wingers need some form of a fairly dynamic center to hit 90pts.
The absolutely rare uber-wing (Pat Kane, Ovechkin, Kucherov) can do it on their own... but even those guys have some pretty good quality centerman.

We'll see what Stuetzle gets as a C1 in Ottawa... but it sure as hell ain't there now.

[Belexus75]

Hard thing on Stuetzle is that most wingers need some form of a fairly dynamic center to hit 90pts.
The absolutely rare uber-wing (Pat Kane, Ovechkin, Kucherov) can do it on their own... but even those guys have some pretty good quality centerman.

We'll see what Stuetzle gets as a C1 in Ottawa... but it sure as hell ain't there now.

Well stutzle has been compared to Kane, and Marner who also been compared to Kane has elevated his Cs ...i do think Stutzle can be that guy...i do think he can hit 90 in next 3 years to be honest.

[Pengwin7]

Oh - I haven't read a Patrick Kane comparison. That would be high praise. (And I don't see that in Stuetzle's game).
Marner yes... but Marner has had Matthews (my point).

And I don't think Stuetzle has the game to BE the center - not from what I've seen to this point.
And... playing NHL center can really squash a player's production in his young years... it's just so hard with the two-way game required.
(So - I'm totally assuming he will be an NHL-W... but if OTT doesn't get their C... they may try him out there.)

[Belexus75]

Oh - I haven't read a Patrick Kane comparison. That would be high praise. (And I don't see that in Stuetzle's game).
Marner yes... but Marner has had Matthews (my point).

And I don't think Stuetzle has the game to BE the center - not from what I've seen to this point.
And... playing NHL center can really squash a player's production in his young years... it's just so hard with the two-way game required.
(So - I'm totally assuming he will be an NHL-W... but if OTT doesn't get their C... they may try him out there.)

Marners 94 point season was not with Matthews, was with Tavares, and while that is still strong C, Tavares really cooled off once Marner was taken off his wing so i guess you never know exact truth but to me marner is one of those guys who drives a line...

as for comparison of Stutzle to Kane, i see more of Kane in him than in Marner to be honest. The classic rash stop and dish...Marner is more static players the other 2 are more dynamic ...all 3 are amazing and at some point all 3 will be close to NHLs elite.

[Call of Doughty]

Stutzle has a shot. I don't think we'll see it for quite some time though. He's only 19. As an 18 year old playing amongst men in Mannheim, he clipped along at .83 ppg. Last year's world juniors, 2.00 ppg (10 in 5).

I agree that he needs slightly stronger talent around him - but he might have that in 2024-2026. Will be a fun player to watch. Found two comparisons below.

As for his potential, Stützle is a mouth-watering prospect for every GM. Because of his offensive prowess in both playmaking and shooting, it’s hard to pinpoint just how good he can become. I personally feel as though Stützle has the offensive capabilities to be an elite playmaker in the NHL, and if he further rounds out his defensive game, he could be one of the best players in the league in a few short years.

Even if he doesn’t pan out exactly how he’s expected to, Stutzle is still such a good prospect that it’s hard for me to see him not at least be a powerplay specialist and a third-line scorer at the worst.

It’s extremely tough to compare a prospect to an NHL player, but just keep in mind this is based solely on the style of play and in no way a reflection of how good a player will become. That said, Stutzle reminds me a little bit of Claude Giroux. The biggest reason is the powerplay specialist that Stutzle is, which allows him to find seams and set up teammates.

https://puckprose.com/2020/01/27/202...ting-report/3/

Stutzle has mainly played on the wing in the DEL, but with his size and playmaking ability, it is easy to see a future transition to centre. He might need another year of development, working at playing in the middle of the ice and bulking up, but when he reaches the NHL he could become a franchise-level centre. Stutzle’s game is reminiscent of Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It should be noted though, that this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on talent level.


https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/...020-nhl-draft/

[Daydream Nation]

as for comparison of Stutzle to Kane, i see more of Kane in him than in Marner to be honest. The classic rash stop and dish...Marner is more static players the other 2 are more dynamic ...all 3 are amazing and at some point all 3 will be close to NHLs elite.

I'm going to have to pay a little more attention to Stuetzle. I see a lot of Kane in Marner.