Predicting the Top 10 Goal-Scorers in the 2015-16 NHL Season

The NHL is blessed with many outstanding snipers, and this season should see the emergence of more offensive impact players. Fans have already seen incredible goals, and the league's best are just getting started for 2015-16. 

For some NHL scorers, this season will be similar to last year with the same linemates and expectations. Others have changed addresses and will be placed in a feature role on an impact line, suggesting a spike in goals is likely. 

Here's an early projection of the league's top 10 scorers for this year. 

10. Rick Nash, LW, New York Rangers

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Rick Nash scored 42 goals in 2014-15 for the New York Rangers, ranking him No. 3 in the NHL. 

What Has Changed? The Rangers lost some talented and fast wingers in the summer, including Martin St. Louis and Carl Hagelin. Those players gave opponents fits and allowed Nash to excel with a different skill set. New York is younger and less experienced this year, and that may impact the looks Nash gets and his quality of competition. 

Projecting 2015-16: Nash's 42 goals last season represented the highest total of his career. It's likely he falls back this year based on age and quality of team around him. A good guess is over 30 goals but less than 35 in the coming year.

9. Sean Monahan, C, Calgary Flames

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Sean Monahan blossomed in his sophomore season with the Calgary Flames, scoring 31 goals. 

What Has Changed? The Flames added some important pieces over the summer, including defender Dougie Hamilton. Calgary's young group is a year older, and Monahan is an absolute nightmare for opposing teams when he lines up with Jiri Hudler and Johnny Gaudreau. That trio may have even more success this coming year. 

Projecting 2015-16: Monahan is a few years from his prime, but he jumped from 22 to 31 goals in his second season in the NHL. He is a substantial talent, and a goal total just shy of 35 this season is a reasonable projection.

8. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Sidney Crosby scored 28 goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins a year ago. That's a pedestrian total for the NHL's consensus best player, and a recovery should be expected. 

What Has Changed? The Penguins went out and grabbed a terrific winger for Crosby for the second year in a row. Not content with Patric Hornqvist—who performed well when healthy—Pittsburgh acquired Phil Kessel to ride shotgun with Crosby this season.

Projecting 2015-16: Crosby's point total should spike, and he could hit 100 in total with 35 goals a strong possibility. If the veteran goes super nova with the new alignment, we might see something special.

7. Tyler Seguin, C, Dallas Stars

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Tyler Seguin has emerged as a quality scorer for the Dallas Stars. He has scored 37 goals in each of the last two seasons. That total put him in a tie for No. 5 in goals during 2014-15.

What Has Changed? The Stars have even more offensive weapons this year, adding Patrick Sharp in the summer, and they'll have a healthy Valeri Nichushkin all year. It should give Seguin and partner Jamie Benn more room to wheel.

Projecting 2015-16: Seguin is entering his prime and can be a devastating scorer, even when he's facing tough opposition. A goal total in the 35-to-37 range is reasonable, and he could push past 40 with lesser opposition.

6. Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Adam Hunger/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Patrick Kane scored 27 goals in 61 games as an injury cost him over 20 games of the NHL schedule. 

What Has Changed? Kane is healthy this season and off to a terrific start—three goals in his first three games. It's also true that Marian Hossa is aging and Patrick Sharp is in Dallas, meaning Kane should see even more feature minutes at even strength and on the power play.

Projecting 2015-16: The added pressure for goals in Chicago probably means Joel Quenneville relies on Kane more this season. A 38-goal campaign is reasonable and reachable for the veteran winger.

5. John Tavares, C, New York Islanders

Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? John Tavares scored 38 goals for the New York Islanders. It was a career high and ranked him No. 4 in the NHL last year. 

What Has Changed? The Islanders are much the same as a year ago, but that's somewhat deceiving. A young team turns a year older and will be better equipped to overcome obstacles and cash in on opportunities.

Projecting 2015-16: Tavares is full value for his 38 goals last season and should match or build on it this coming season. A 40-goal year is well within range, and it's reasonable to project him at that level.

4. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis Blues

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues scored 37 goals in a breakout season in 2014-15. 

What Has Changed? The Blues have enough for three scoring lines this season, which could mean spreading out the offense and fewer opportunities for complementary players. That won't impact Tarasenko, who drives the results at even strength and on the power play.

Projecting 2015-16: Tarasenko is entering his prime and should push beyond the 40-goal mark this year. A 42-goal season is a reasonable projection for this player.

3. Phil Kessel, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Phil Kessel scored 25 goals in a trying season with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014-15. He has scored 30 or more goals five times and is a consistent offensive threat, something the Pittsburgh Penguins had in mind when acquiring him over the summer. 

What Has Changed? The trade that brought Kessel to Pittsburgh has the potential to change the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins offense could go from effective to frightening with Kessel patrolling Sidney Crosby's wing.  

Projecting 2015-16: Kessel scored 37 goals two years ago and at 28, should still have several good offensive years ahead of him. A 44-goal projection is reasonable, and he could approach 50 if he and Crosby develop real chemistry. 

2. Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning scored 43 goals a year ago, ranking him No. 2 among league leaders. He had seasons of 51 and 60 goals earlier in his career. 

What Has Changed? Stamkos struggled at times during the playoffs last spring but looks ready to have a big year with early success already. His patented shot from the left slot on the power play has been clicking this fall. 

Projecting 2015-16: He has been a dangerous scorer for years now, but Stamkos is still just 25 and in his prime. Expect 45 goals this year with an outside chance at 50. If things break just right, he may win his third scoring title. 

1. Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

What Did He Do Last Season? Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored 53 goals in 2014-15, leading the NHL. He scored 10 more goals than second-place finisher Steven Stamkos. 

What Has Changed? In the first game of this season, Ovechkin played with Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie. Katie Brown of NHL.com reports that his regular center—Nicklas Backstrom—is skating but not expected to play in the first four games of the year. 

Projecting 2015-16: Projecting more than 53 goals is aggressive—that's a fantastic total in the modern NHL. A reasonable expectation for Ovechkin this year is 50 goals, and if he passes that again, we should marvel at another incredible season from one of the best snipers in NHL history.