Steven Stamkos, the New Rocket: Who Will Lead the NHL in Scoring?

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy is awarded to the NHL's leading goal scorer.  Last year, Steven Stamkos captured the "Rocket" along with Sidney Crosby after scoring 51 goals in just his second season.

Since the trophy's inception in 1998-1999, the battle for the goal scoring trophy has been fierce.  Hopefully, this year, the trend continues as the talent level in the NHL rises.

These are the players who have the most potential and are in the best position to be the NHL's top scorer.

Under The Radar: Players With a Legitimate Shot

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 11: Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates scoring the game-winning goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on October 11, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul

Under The Radar: Players with a Legitimate Shot

1. Jeff Carter- Philadelphia Flyers:  With Simon Gagne gone, Carter will be the top sniper on the team.  There is plenty of talent around him to assist him in his quest but whether or not he can step up to the challenge has yet to be seen.  He was second in the league two years ago with 46 goals and had 33 last year.

2. Anze Kopitar- Los Angeles Kings:  Kopitar has the potential to become a top tier goal scorer this year with a talented LA Kings team.  The team is young, fast and Anze Kopitar has the scoring touch that could put him at the top of the goal scoring list.  He has to get off to a better start (two goals in seven games) if he wants to be in the conversation for top scorers at the end of the season.

3. Daniel Sedin- Vancouver Canucks:  When the player with the most points in the league last year is your linemate, you have it good.  When he is also your twin brother, the chances of you netting the most goals becomes greater. Daniel Sedin has seven goals through the first eight games of the year and If he takes over the role of the goal scoring brother, he could easily become a top five forward in the Rocket chase.

4. Alex Semin- Washington Capitals: The man had 40 goals last year and the potency of the Capitals offense isn’t going anywhere.  Semin has a real chance of taking his play to the next level, but his biggest competition could come from his own team.  Alex Semin has five goals in his first eight games of the year, leading Ovechkin for the team lead.

5. Marian Gaborik- New York Rangers:  Although he is out with a shoulder injury, he has the ability to bounce back quickly from injuries like he did in Minnesota.  He is a natural goal scorer and is playing with a solid Rangers team so making up time might not be a problem.  Depending on the length of his stay on the IR, he might fall out of the contention quickly.

10. Phil Kessel- Toronto Maple Leafs

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save against Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during their game on October 15, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Phil Kessel- Toronto Maple Leafs

Phil Kessel is going into his second full season with the Toronto Maple Leafs after being traded in 2009 by the Boston Bruins. The Toronto Maple Leafs also seem to be getting on the same page and are putting together good line combinations.  All of the improvement could put Kessel in the right position to have a shot at the Rocket Richard Trophy.

Kessel is a warrior on and off the ice, as exemplified by his battle with cancer a few years back.  He is a solid goal scorer who is completely healthy and adjusted to Toronto’s system of playing.  There are no excuses if he can’t get the job done now.

He has started the year off hot with six goals in seven games.  Phil Kessel has had at least 30 goals in his last two seasons and with solid play as a Maple Leaf, there is a good chance we throw his name around at the end of the season.

9. John Tavares- New York Islanders

John Tavares- New York Islanders

Steven Stamkos took his game to the next level in his second season in the NHL and it’s feasible to think Tavares could make a similar jump in his second year.  In Stamko's first season he had 23 goals while Tavares had 24, last year.

John Tavares headlines a young Islanders squad full of talent and has five goals in his first five games this year.  His five goals include his first career hat trick which came on the heels of his teammates asking him to take more of the goal scoring chances.  The best thing you can see out of your young stars is the ability to take a game over with their scoring talents. 

The Islanders lost the game he scored the hat trick in but the team now has faith to put Tavares in the heat of any battle.  Tavares could truly be the dark horse in this race.

8. Nathan Horton- Boston Bruins

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MONTREAL, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins falls over Josh Gorges #26 of the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL preseason game at the Bell Centre on September 22, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Canad

Nathan Horton- Boston Bruins

Talk about a trade that finally worked for the Bruins.  Nathan Horton came to Boston with expectations of being a top line player and he hasn't disappointed.  Horton has five goals in his first six games this season and comes to Boston with five straight 20 goal seasons under his belt.

The line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton could put Horton in the best position to score the most goals. On top of Horton making his own goal scoring opportunities, he is good around the net. Any rebounds from good shooters such as Lucic and Krejci could find Horton's stick down low, giving him the opportunity to bury the puck in the net. 

Horton also has a huge point man in Zdeno Chara with a blast that can stun a goalie and leave him with an open rebound attempt.  All of these factors could lead to a mega productive 2010-2011 for Nathan Horton.

7. Rick Nash- Columbus Blue Jackets

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 25: Rick Nash #61of the Columbus Blue Jackets handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on September 25, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Rick Nash- Columbus Blue Jackets

Rick Nash is one of the most intriguing players on this list.  He has the size and speed to be the best in the game and has the hands to move the puck in any way he sees fit.  The problem has always been the talent surrounding Nash.

Nash's line has been centered by the young Derick Brassard who is very gifted at handling the puck.  Nash could catapult back to the top of the Rocket Richard Trophy talks this year.  He won the award in 2003-2004 with 41 goals alongside Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla.

Nash has five seasons of thirty plus goals and with a quality team around him, Rick Nash could become one of the top goal scorers again in 2010-2011.

6. Dany Heatley- San Jose Sharks

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SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 16: Dany Heatley #15 of of the San Jose Sharks throws his hand in the air after scoring his 300th career goal against the Atlanta Thrashers at the HP Pavilion October 16, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson

Dany Heatley- San Jose Sharks

The combination of "Jumbo" Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley is a deadly trio. Heatley is one of the best pure shooters in the league and he has amazing hands.  Thornton is one of the most renowned passers in the game and Heatley is one of the best finishers; the pair is showing it in San Jose.

Heatley is looking for a big year in his second season with the Sharks.  He has scored 50 goals twice in his career and has had 39 plus goals in his last five seasons. 

If he can keep his nose clean in San Jose, he could have a chance to play at the highest level with the Sharks.  Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson are very good players but Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau set up Dany Heatley to score a lot of goals.

5. Ilya Kovalchuk- New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 08: Illya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Dallas Stars at the Prudential Center on October 8, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Ilya Kovalchuk- New Jersey Devils

Ilya Kovalchuk was benched the other night and it looks like the $100 million man might be at odds with the coach.  Kovalchuk also only has two goals through the first seven games he has played with the Devils since signing his monster contract.

Still, he is one of the most deadly snipers in the game of hockey and if he finds his shot and works hard for a change he could league the league in goals, again.  He won the Rocket Richard in 2003-2004 with Rick Nash and Jarome Iginla.

Since entering the league, Kovalchuk has been one of the most consistent goal scorers in the league. In his rookie year, playing only 65 games, he scored 29 goals. Since his rookie year, he has scored 38 plus goals for seven straight seasons.

If anybody can deal with the controversy and shock the world, Ilya would be your guy.

4. Marian Hossa- Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 18: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his seocnd goal in the 3rd period against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on October 18, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Blues 3-2 in overtime. (Ph

Marian Hossa- Chicago Blackhawks

Marian Hossa is hot, hot and hot to start the season.  It looks like finding a long term home and the comfort level that brings are doing wonders for Mr. Hossa.  Or it could be the Cup he was drinking out of this summer.  Whatever it is that has eased his mind, Hossa has scored seven goals in the first 10 games of the season for the Blackhawks.

Hossa is one of the most talented shooters in the league and now that he is in with a team, his report with his teammates will only help his already impressive statistics.  Hossa has had nine seasons of 29 plus goals and he looks to really step his game up in his second season in Chicago.

He has the chance to play against a lot of second line players and he is clearly a top tier player.  That mismatch could lead to big numbers for a Blackhawks team that will need the offense.

3. Sidney Crosby- Pittsburgh Penguins

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 16: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores at 3:13 of the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Flyers 5-1.

Sidney Crosby- Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby will be in this conversation until he decides to hang up his skates.  He is a polarizing figure in the hockey community but his talent can't be argued.  Through Pittsburgh's first nine games, Crosby has lit the lamp six times already and is going to be a serious contender for top goal scorer. 

Crosby's line isn’t the most talented but the kid has a knack for making the most of the situation he is given.  He can make the people around him better and he will put himself in the best position to score goals because the best take games over.

The Kid is the co-defending Rocket Richard Trophy winner with 51 goals last year and there is no reason to believe that he can’t do it again.  The loss of Sergei Gonchar will hurt his chances a bit, but with adversity comes adaptation.

2. Steven Stamkos- Tampa Bay Lightning

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 22: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with Vincent Lecavalier #4 and Martin St. Louis #26 after Stamkos' goal against Atlanta Thrasher at Philips Arena on October 22, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C.

Steven Stamkos- Tampa Bay Lightning

Steven Stamkos is the real deal.  He was taken No. 1 overall and had a ton of hype surrounding him.  Not only is he doing his job, he is doing it well.  Following up a rookie season that saw its share of ups and downs, Stamkos blew onto the goal scoring scene in the NHL with 51 goals. 

Stamkos is off to a blazing start with eight goals in his first seven games.  If he can continue his stellar play for the most part of the season and stay healthy, Stamkos will be hard to beat.

Stamkos and Sidney Crosby shared the honor of the Rocket Richard Trophy last year but Stamkos is hungry to take one for himself.  He is in a good position in Tampa Bay with a veteran group of forwards including Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecalvier and Simon Gagne.

With a knack for finding the puck close to the net, the ability to follow through with the play, and his hand eye coordination, Steven Stamkos is a good bet for winning the award again this year.

1. Alex Ovechkin- Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals is tripped up during the game against the Boston Bruins at the Verizon Center on October 19, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin- Washington Capitals

The enigma known as Alexander the Great is a talented forward who is a perennial MVP award winner.  He has won the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2007-2008 with 65 goals and has been an offensive juggernaut since the second his blades hit the ice.

Ovechkin is playing on a line with one of the best young centers in the game, Nicklas Backstrom.  Backstrom has become one of the past passers in the game and Ovechkin has benefited. 

With Mike Green at the blue line, Ovechkin has more than enough talent surrounding him to become the Rocket winner again.

Through the first eight games, Ovechkin has four goals but has had slow starts in the past.  If he can maintain this pace until he hits his stride, another 60 plus goal season isn’t out of the realm of possibility.  In Ovechkin’s first five years in the league, he has scored 52,46,65,56,50 goals accordingly (starting with his rookie season). No one has been more consistent than Alex Ovechkin in the goal column and it’s hard to believe anyone will beat him again this year.