Ranking the Most Shocking Statistics of the 2015-16 NHL Season

Every season offers fans dynamic performances that push new names to the fore and allow famous names to reach all-time numbers. This season has offered us incredible peaks.

Some are confined to this season and involve new, emerging talents we are delighting in for the first time. Others have been around for as much as two decades—or more—and are arriving at the very peak of the game's all-time performances.

Here are the most shocking numbers from a historic beginning to the 2015-16 season.

7. No 50-Goal Scorer on the Horizon This Year

Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

What Is the Statistical Story? The leading goal scorer this year is Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, with 24 in 41 games. That total puts Benn and other snipers—including Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals—shy of 50 goals for the year. 

What Is the Significance? The last time the NHL didn't provide fans a 50-goal scorer—in a full season—came in 2003-04 when Rick Nash, Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla all scored 41.

The Historical Perspective: Odds are one of the front runners—Benn, Ovechkin, Chicago's Patrick Kane, Dallas' Tyler Seguin and St. Louis' Vladimir Tarasenko—will stretch it out in the second half of the season and score 50. There is no guarantee of it based on the first half of 2015-16.

6. Leon Draisaitl: An Even-Strength Demon

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

What Is the Statistical Story? Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers is 20 years old and in his first full NHL season. He currently leads the entire league in points-per-60 minutes at five-on-five. 

What Is the Significance? Draisaitl's total is a big deal—3.07 per 60 minutes would have led the league last year—but the fact he is doing it for a struggling team seems more impressive. He has been very effective with veteran winger Taylor Hall this season.

The Historical Perspective: He is a new player, so we won't know if this is a real reflection of ability for a season or two. The spike in performance means Draisaitl is going to be a must-follow in the coming years.

5. Erik Karlsson on Historic Run

Joel Auerbach/Associated Press

What Is the Statistical Story? Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators is having a strong offensive season. He ranks in a tie for No. 4 in league scoring and, according to The Hockey News, could end up posting more than 85 points. 

What Is the Significance? Since the turn of the century, the highest point total for a defenseman belongs to Nicklas Lidstrom, (Detroit) with 80 in 2005-06. Karlsson has been close before, but this year could be the one. 

The Historical Perspective: NHL defensemen don't score 100 points anymore, but Karlsson could post one of the 50 best offensive seasons by a defender if he scores 81 or more. It is something to watch closely in the season's second half.

4. We Should See a 100-Point Man in 2015-16

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

What Is the Statistical Story? The NHL had no player with 90 points last year, with Jamie Benn winning the Art Ross Trophy at 87 points. This year, there are three men—Patrick Kane, Benn and Tyler Seguin—who are on track for 100 total points.

What Is the Significance? Scoring has been down over the last number of years, and fans love goals. So when Kane is on pace for 117 points—as pointed out by The Hockey News—that is a good thing for the league.

The Historical Perspective: The last man to score more than 117 was Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby in 2006-07. Kane and the two Dallas Stars will be a major story down the stretch this year.

3. Patrick Kane's 26-Game Scoring Streak

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

What Is the Statistical Story? Patrick Kane posted a phenomenal 26-game scoring streak in the first half of the season, the longest in over 20 years, as described by Brian Hedger of NHL.com. 

What Is the Significance? Aside from contributing to winning, Kane's stretch is incredible in the modern game. Scoring in the current NHL era is low, so this kind of consistency is probably more impressive than past streaks.

The Historical Perspective: Every active NHL player is building a Hall-of-Fame resume, and for Kane, this is a major item. Along with his Calder Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy and three Stanley Cup rings, Kane is building a very good case.

2. Jarome Iginla on the Verge of 600

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

What Is the Statistical Story? Jarome Iginla of the Colorado Avalanche is about to become the 19th player to score 600 career goals in the NHL. 

What Is the Significance? Iginla will have scored his 600th during an era of low-scoring games, and his accomplishment is enormous. If he had played 20 years ago, the mind boggles at his possible scoring totals.

The Historical Perspective: This achievement is one of the central reasons Iginla will make the Hockey Hall of Fame on his first try. Although he has won several individual awards, his consistency and excellence over many years ensures his induction.

1. Jaromir Jagr Moves into No. 4 Spot for All-Time Goals

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

What Is the Statistical Story? Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers passed Marcel Dionne in all-time goals scored, and he now sits No. 4 on the list.

What Is the Significance? This represents a hockey lifetime achievement and means Jagr is truly one of the greatest in the game's history. He will probably pass Brett Hull in 2016, making him the No. 3 scorer in the NHL's almost 100-year existence.

The Historical Perspective: This may sound incredible, but you could make the argument that Jagr could have eclipsed Gordie Howe at No. 2 if things had happened another way. Two lockout seasons and three midcareer years in the Kontinental Hockey League robbed Jagr of dozens of goals. He is truly a remarkable player.