Ranking the Most Shocking Statistics of the 2016-17 NHL Season
Every season, NHL fans are treated to shocking performances.
Some of those performances come from veterans who are enjoying career seasons, while others come from role players who are stepping into ideal situations and making the most of things. There are also those that come from NHL teams that are delivering historic numbers.
This season, only halfway done, has given fans all kinds numbers to discuss. And in some ways, these have changed the balance of the NHL. Will it last?
Here are the most shocking numbers from the historic beginning to the 2016-17 season.
6. Brent Burns on Track for a 30-Goal Season as a Defenseman
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What Is the Statistical Story? Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks has played forward and defense at times over a significant career. Last season, playing defense exclusively, he scored 27 goals. This year, he reached 15 before the midway point of the campaign.
What Is the Significance? The last time an NHL defenseman scored 30 goals in an NHL season was when Mike Green tallied 31 in 2008-09. He is the only blueliner to have done it in the past decade.
The Historical Perspective: If Burns can score 30 goals, there is a chance he will receive the James Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defender. Unique accomplishments are often rewarded, and it has been a long time since the NHL saw a 30-goal defenseman.
5. Brandon Saad Leads All Players in Even-Strength Points Per 60
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What Is the Statistical Story? Brandon Saad of the Columbus Blue Jackets is the most successful and efficient even-strength scorer in the NHL this season. He boasts a 3.31 points-per-60 rate, the No. 1 total in the league.
What Is the Significance? The Blue Jackets are ripping up the NHL, putting up an epic 16-game winning streak. All of their cannons are firing, but even-strength scoring is important because it is the largest game state. Saad is delivering in a big way for his team.
The Historical Perspective: If Saad can maintain this rate, he will deliver the highest number since Sidney Crosby posted a 4.19 total in the lockout season of 2012-13. The former Chicago Blackhawk is having a huge year and doing it in the toughest discipline. That success is helping Columbus to a dream season.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets Are Power-Play Monsters
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What Is the Statistical Story? The Columbus Blue Jackets are enjoying a stunning season on the power play. Alex Wennberg leads all players in points per 60 with the man advantage (10.75), and teammate Cam Atkinson ranks No. 2 in the category (10.26). It doesn't stop there, as Nick Foligno ranks No. 4 (9.00) and rookie defender Zach Werenski sits No. 9 (7.82). Even Sam Gagner (6.88), the other member of the top power-play unit, is inside the top 20. It is an incredible set of numbers.
What Is the Significance? The Blue Jackets lead the NHL in power-play points per 60 minutes (10.18)—and by quite a large margin. Many fans are looking for reasons when it comes to explaining Columbus' success this year, and the power play is a good place to start.
The Historical Perspective: Columbus has a dominant power play, the best so far this decade. Among the top team power plays since 2010-11, the Blue Jackets rank No. 1 overall. What should be especially heartening for Blue Jackets fans is that there are no highly paid superstars making it happen, suggesting structure may be the key. That may mean this edge will continue into the coming seasons.
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3. Sidney Crosby on Pace for 100 Points
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What Is the Statistical Story? Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins ranks inside the top three among NHL scorers and is the only player in the NHL who projects to put up 100 points this season.
What Is the Significance? There are few players this year in the range of 100 points as a projection. The Hockey News has Crosby at 100, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers at 93 points and Penguins center Evgeni Malkin also at 93.
The Historical Perspective: Posting a 100-point season is a fairly rare item in recent years. Since 2013-14, only two players have reached the plateau: Patrick Kane and the Penguins captain. Crosby would do it for the second time in four seasons if he reaches the century mark in 2016-17.
2. Sidney Crosby Finally Arrives as NHL's Top Sniper
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What Is the Statistical Story? The top scorer in the NHL this season is Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although he led the NHL in goals when he was just 22, it has been years since he dominated the league in the discipline. So far this season, Crosby has 26 goals and a significant lead in the category.
What Is the Significance? There is a chance the Penguins are entering a new golden era of Pittsburgh hockey—possibly the best in franchise history. Crosby is a big part of that, playing a major role on a team that has substantial balance and is dangerous every shift. The Penguins captain's goal scoring is representative of this new shift in power.
The Historical Perspective: A player of Crosby's age—he will turn 30 in August—often moves into more of a two-way role. Scoring goes down, the level of competition increases and the player enters a period in which they are the most complete forward on the team. Crosby is that complete player, but his scoring rate is increasing—a stunning development and historically rare.
1. Jaromir Jagr Reaches the 750-Goal Plateau
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What Is the Statistical Story? Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers reached an incredible career plateau earlier this season. In the modern era, 750 goals seems out of reach, but the brilliant and ageless winger did it in 2016-17.
What Is the Significance? There are only two players in front of Jagr on the all-time list, and neither man—Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe—played this century.
The Historical Perspective: No one would reasonably suggest that the 44-year-old's 750 goals have more value than Howe or Gretzky's totals. However, it should be mentioned that both those men played during an era of great expansion and, for at least some of their careers, in offensive times. Jagr earned his goals in a frugal era, and it is reasonable to suggest the gap between the three is far less than suggested by the numbers.
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