Nicklas Backstrom and Zach Parise: Will Someone New Score 50 Goals?
Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos joined the 50-goal scorers club last season after both players tied for the Rocket Richard Trophy with 51 tallies apiece.
They are among elite company.
The NHL's most recent 50-goal scorers include Alexander Ovechkin (2005, '07, '08), Ilya Kovalchuk ('05, '07), Jarome Iginla ('07), Dany Heatley ('05, '06), and Vincent Lecavalier ('06).
The following are 10 players that could potentially join this elite group next season.
Jeff Carter
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An important part of the Flyers miracle Stanley Cup run, Jeff Carter proved he is capable of scoring 50 goals after his 46-goal, 84-point campaign in 2008.
Although his production dropped last year (33 goals, 61 points), Carter will have increased responsibility with the loss of longtime Flyer Simon Gagne.
If the Flyers are able to shake off the Stanley Cup hangover and return to form, Carter will have a legitimate shot at 50 goals next season.
Bobby Ryan
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As two-time 50-goal scorer Teemu Selanne's (1996, '97) career comes to a close, the Ducks will look to Bobby Ryan, who is entering his fourth professional season, to do some heavy lifting.
Ryan has already had two 30-plus goal seasons with the Ducks, tallying 35 last season, and will be expected to be extremely productive after signing a five-year, $25.5 million deal in the offseason.
Patrick Kane
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Instrumental in the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup run last year, Patrick Kane has the ability to become a 50-goal scorer in the NHL.
Chicago has a balanced offensive attack, and 30 of Kane's 88 points last season came from goalscoring. But Kane has Jonathan Toews, last year's Conn Smythe winner, setting him up, and will have increased responsibilities after Chicago's salary-shedding in the offseason.
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Phil Kessel
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Received in a blockbuster trade from Boston after the 2008 season, Phil Kessel has to prove that he was worth giving up the No. 2 overall pick (Tyler Seguin) in this year's draft.
Before he was traded, Kessel set career highs with 36 goals and 60 points during his 2008 campaign. Last year, he had similar numbers (30 goals, 55 points), and should build upon his success last season.
As Toronto's prospects get older and their superstars build chemistry after arriving from all over the league last season, the Leafs should be more competitive, and Kessel's numbers will increase as a result.
Marian Gaborik
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After eight years as the franchise player in Minnesota, Marian Gaborik had his best season in his first year in New York.
While the Rangers spun their wheels throughout most of the season, Gaborik was able to match his career high with 42 goals and set a new personal record with 86 points.
If Gaborik, who has yet to play an entire season, can stay healthy, and players like Marc Staal, Michael Del Zotto, and Alexander Frolov play to their potential, Gaborik has the ability to score 50 goals next year and catapult the Rangers into the playoff hunt.
Rick Nash
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Drafted first overall in 2002 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Rick Nash has been named team captain and established himself as the franchise player in Ohio's capital.
Although he is able to use his large frame and powerful strides to find the back of the net, Nash has only reached the 40-goal plateau once, and has yet to have 80 points in a season.
If the Blue Jackets are able to return to their 2008 form, when they advanced to the postseason for the first time in franchise history, Nash has the potential to become an elite scorer in the NHL.
Nicklas Backstrom
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Overshadowed by the presence of Alexander Ovechkin on the Capitals is Nicklas Backstrom, who was rewarded for his efforts over the last three years with a long-term contract that will keep him in Washington for the next 10 years.
Last season, Backstrom netted 33 goals and tallied 101 points, his first 100-point season since entering the league in 2007.
Backstrom and Ovechkin will be together in the nation's capital for years to come, and could eventually become the most feared one-two tandem in the NHL if Backstrom can replicate the Russian's production.
Anze Kopitar
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In four years with the Los Angeles Kings, Anze Kopitar, the only Slovenian player in the NHL, has never seen his goal total drop below 20.
Last season, he had a career-high 34 goals, two more than in his 2007 campaign, and continues to improve with a better team around him.
With Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson securing the blueline, and forwards Ryan Smyth and Dustin Brown flanking him, Kopitar has the potential to net 50 goals and help the Kings get back into the postseason.
Patrick Marleau
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After 10 years in the league, Patrick Marleau eclipsed the 40-goal plateau last season.
Once considered a disappointment, the second overall selection in 1997 has proven that he is a vital part of the Sharks' team if they want to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.
In four of the past five years, Marleau has had at least 30 goals. With Joe Thornton feeding him the puck, Marleau may have his first 50-goal, 100-point season since entering the league in 1997.
Zach Parise
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Son of NHL superstar J.P. Parise, Zach Parise has established himself as an impact player with the New Jersey Devils.
In 2008, Parise's 45 goals were enough to place him fifth among league leaders. Last year, he was unable to replicate those totals, but gained valuable experience as a member of the silver medal-winning United States Olympic team in Vancouver.
With newly-acquired superstar Ilya Kovalchuk flanking him, Parise should be able to put up big numbers and help the Devils avenge their first-round postseason exit last season.
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