Predicting the NHL's Top 10 Scoring Leaders in the 2013-14 Season

The 2013-14 NHL season is just around the corner, and there is no better time than the present to determine whether or not Martin St. Louis can defend his Art Ross crown as the league's top scorer.

When trying to evaluate who could be in contention, it is best to look at recent stats. Over the past two seasons, only nine players have been among the top 25 in scoring for consecutive seasons.

That number drops down to two when you limit it to the top 10 in scoring. Those quick facts should illustrate just how hard it has been for players to remain consistent from year-to-year.

Therefore, this slideshow will take a look at the 10 players who will lead the league in scoring for the upcoming season.

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 *Stats from the past two seasons will be used primarily; because the lockout-shortened season isn't a large enough sample size to judge. Other statistics will be considered, but not relied on as heavily.

Other factors that influence rankings include age, health history and linemates. 

10. Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

^{Statistical Breakdown}

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
77 Games Played	25	49	74	0.96
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
48 Games Played	17	43	60	1.25
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	31	53	84	1.02

Martin St. Louis is an ageless wonder that continues to impress. Most players start to decline once they hit age 30, but that hasn't happened with St. Louis. The past few seasons have been amazing for the reigning Art Ross winner, and 2013-14 should be another good year.

Don't expect St. Louis to light the world on fire again, but expect him to complete a successful 2013-14 campaign. His production will remain in line with what he has accomplished, and it will be pretty good for a 38-year-old.

9. Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
61 Games Played	27	26	53	0.87
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
45 Games Played	16	34	50	1.11
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
74 Games Played	42	44	86	1.16

Taylor Hall was on pace to tally 88 points last year, so reaching 86 points is well within his means. If you look solely at points, Hall has flown under the radar. This is primarily because of injuries, and he is a better player than his numbers suggest.

During the 2011-12 season, Hall played in 61 games and the year before that (2010-11) he played in 65 games. In both seasons Hall had decent numbers, but last year's production suggests that he is a star in the making.

If you take Hall's point-per-game average from the past two seasons and divide them by two (1.11 and 0.87), you get an average of 0.99 points-per-game. That is just under a point per game, a great rate for a 21-year-old.

This season Hall should benefit from having Dallas Eakins behind the bench, and it should be a breakout year for the young sniper.

8. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
78 Games Played	38	27	65	0.83
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
48 Games Played	32	24	56	1.17
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	51	35	86	1.04

Alex Ovechkin had a nice bounce back season with the Washington Capitals in 2012-13. He led the league in goal scoring, and he was the perfect winger for Mike Ribeiro. However, Ribeiro left via free agency, and it appears that Nicklas Backstrom will be reunited with Ovechkin.

It will take some time for both players to get back on the same page, but expect Ovechkin to have a decent season. He won't be the Alex Ovechkin he was during the mid 2000s, but he will still be a top scorer.

7. Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	37	45	82	1.00
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
48 Games Played	20	32	52	1.08
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	36	51	87	1.06

Phil Kessel doesn't get the recognition he deserves, and the Boston Bruins may end up regretting that they traded him.

Since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kessel has been an elite scorer. He has increased his production the past few seasons, and he projects to be a top scorer again this season.

Kessel will become an UFA after the season, so he should be motivated to earn a new contract.

6. Claude Giroux, Philadephia Flyers

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
77 Games Played	28	65	93	1.21
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
48 Games Played	13	34	47	0.98
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	29	60	89	1.08

Claude Giroux is the leader of the Philadelphia Flyers, and he motivates the team with his work ethic. Giroux is a skilled scorer and playmaker with redeeming two-way qualities that make him a very versatile forward.

The Flyers' captain had a break out year in 2011-12, and he followed up with a solid 2012-13 campaign. Giroux is poised to have a great year with Vincent Lecavalier as a potential linemate, as the Flyers look to get back into the playoffs.

5. John Tavares, New York Islanders

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	31	50	81	0.99
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
48 Games Played	28	19	47	0.98
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	35	55	90	1.09

John Tavares is one of the NHL's quietest superstars, and if he played in downtown Manhattan instead of Nassau County he would be a household name by now.

Lucky for Tavares, he is starting to get the attention he deserves, as he has flourished into a great NHL player.

"JT" changed things up this past season, as he became more of a goal scorer than a playmaker.

It was another year of growth for Tavares, and he was successful in leading the Islanders into the playoffs. This season the Islanders will look to get out of the first round, and that is a realistic goal.

Tavares is only 22 years old, and he has a very bright future ahead of him.

4. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	23	43	66	0.80
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
48 Games Played	23	32	55	1.17
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	40	53	93	1.12

Patrick Kane had an amazing 2012-13 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, and he is poised to have an even better 2013-14 campaign. The 2013 Conn Smythe recipient was on pace for 95 points over an 82 game season, and he could eclipse that this season if everything breaks his way.

Kane has always been a good player, but nothing should get in the way of him being one of the league's best. The Blackhawks' top winger is now more focused on his play on the ice, instead of his off-ice activities.  

Earlier in his career, Kane loved the nightlife, but he now knows what it takes to be a true pro. At the age of 24, Kane has a lot of good hockey ahead of him, and this could be a breakout year for the Blackhawks' elite winger.

3. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
75 Games Played	50	59	109	1.45
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
31 Games Played	9	24	33	1.06
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
76 Games Played	42	53	95	1.16

Evgeni Malkin was the league's best player in 2012, and he looked to follow up with a strong 2012-13 campaign. Injuries prevented Geno from stringing another solid season together, but the offseason has allowed him to heal.

With Sidney Crosby also healthy, Malkin should be able to fly under the radar a bit.

At the top of his game Malkin is one of the league's most electrifying players, because he is a dual threat at all times. No. 71 is the type of forward who will beat you with a wrist shot just when you think he is going to pass.

His unpredictability makes him a nightmare to cover, and look for him to reek havoc during the 2013-14 season.

2. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	60	37	97	1.18
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
48 Games Played	29	28	57	1.19
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
82 Games Played	55	47	102	1.24

Steven Stamkos has finished second in league scoring for two consecutive years, and he will complete the hat trick in 2013-14. The 2008 No. 1 overall pick is one of the NHL's most lethal goal scorers, and he is also a competent set up man.

Alongside Martin St. Louis, Stamkos has found a ton of success, and the duo is one of the league's best.

The 23-year-old pivot had a respectable goal total last season, and he also increased his assists-per-game average. In 2011-12-, Stamkos averaged 0.45 assists per game, and last season he bumped it up to 0.58 assists per game.

Stamkos has evolved each and every season he has been in the NHL, and 2013-14 should be a career year for the former Sarnia Sting sniper.

1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Statistical Breakdown

2011-12	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
22 Games Played	8	29	37	1.68
2012-13	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
36 Games Played	15	41	56	1.56
2013-14	Goals	Assists	Points	Points Per Game
70 Games Played	32	75	107	1.36

Sidney Crosby was having an amazing 2012-13 campaign, but a puck to the face derailed his season. Crosby was on pace for 80 assists and 109 points over the course of an 82 game season, and it would have been a good year by his standards.

It is unclear if Crosby can play a full season, but 70 games should be an attainable goal for him. The Penguins retained Crosby's linemates this summer, and expect him to be motivated for the upcoming season after an embarrassing sweep in the Eastern Conference Final.

Crosby has had an electrifying career to date, and he will look to continue producing at an elite pace this season.