There are now nine elite scoring forwards among New York and New Jersey’s hockey teams. Two years ago, list-makers would find it challenging to nominate more than one each from the Rangers, Islanders and Devils. Now it’s an embarrassment of Richards and Tavares and Kovalchuk.
These gentlemen – no, really, they all play this nasty game fairly – are capable of scoring a minimum of 30 goals, averaging a point a game, or both. The oldest is 35 years of age, the youngest just 21. The relative youth among the nine means we should finally see more playoff hockey in Manhattan, Uniondale and Newark over the next few seasons.
A few words about the criteria for this one-man poll: the players are ranked not on potential, but simply on value to their teams for the 2011-12 season. While these humble hockey players may be honored just to be in each other’s company, you are invited to submit your own list (and other worthy candidates) in the comments space.
1. Brad Richards, Rangers: Richards has never scored 30 goals in his ten-year N.H.L. career; he established his high of 28 last season with Dallas. But the Rangers’ must-have free agent acquisition from this summer has eclipsed the 70-point plateau 7 times. In reuniting with his playmaking center on the 2004 Cup-winning squad in Tampa Bay, Coach John Tortorella is relying on Richards to set up Marian Gaborik all season long. An 80-point season for Richards is a reachable goal.
2. John Tavares, Islanders: Every Canadian junior league scout could tell you Tavares, 21, would be a masterful sniper in the N.H.L. within close range. What has surprised some league observers is his ability to make a pinpoint pass opponents do not see coming. Tavares had 24 goals and 54 points as a rookie and 29 goals and 67 points last season. The Islanders, who signed him to a six-year contract extension this summer, have reason to believe he can reach at least 35 goals and 75 points in year 3.
3. Zach Parise, Devils: The U.S.A. Olympian missed all but 13 games last season with a torn meniscus in his right knee, but looked in a preseason win on Saturday over the Flyers like he has made a complete recovery. Parise, who is on the last year of his contract and could become an unrestricted free agent next July 1, averaged 42 goals and 88 points over his two seasons before getting hurt. If he returns to the top of his game and matches those numbers, the 27-year-old will be in position to pick his team next summer. Count, as the Devils surely are, on Parise staying in New Jersey.
4. Ilya Kovalchuk, Devils: Inarguably the most explosive player in the region, the left wing from Russia has more to prove as a Devil. Last season he had 31 goals and 60 points – his lowest totals since his rookie year with Atlanta in 2002-03 – and was unable to lift his club when Parise was injured and players sulked under former coach John MacLean. The bar is higher for Kovachuk, and it’s not because of his 15-year, $100 million contract. Expectations are great because of his skill level.
5. Michael Grabner, Islanders: In a shocking waiver wire steal, the Islanders lifted Grabner from the Panthers after the Austrian struggled through a slow start in his first Florida training camp. Grabner, who won the Fastest Skater competition on N.H.L. All-Star weekend, scored 34 goals for the Islanders. If he can improve his ability to finish his innumerable breakaways, Grabner can become of the league’s top game-breakers.
6. Marian Gaborik, Rangers: There will be no excuses for Gaborik, a highly skilled sniper who scored just 22 goals last season. Richards has arrived and the pair is expected to elevate the Rangers from a fringe playoff team to a squad challenging for home-ice advantage in the first round.
7. Ryan Callahan, Rangers: New York’s newly-christened captain set career highs last season with 23 goals and 48 points in 60 games last season. Although he may never be a big goal scorer, Callahan is revered among his teammates and coaches for his physical play. He is viewed as one of the most effective second-line forwards in the game. His only downside: Callahan plays so hard – often selfishly giving up his 5-11, 195-pound body to block a shot – he could be prone to breaking a few bones, as he did last season in missing 22 games and the playoffs.
8. Matt Moulson, Islanders: Moulson scored 30 and 31 goals the last two seasons for the Islanders after never getting his big break in the farm system of the Los Angeles Kings. He averaged just 20 assists the last two seasons, which suggests Moulson is a finisher and not much of a passer. If he continues to pot at least 30 goals each season playing to the left of Tavares, no one with the Islanders is going to complain.
9. Patrik Elias, Devils: Check out the Czech’s point totals since 2006-07: 69, 55, 78, 48 and 62 last season. While the ups and downs may have been affected in part by the quality of his linemates, the 35-year-old Elias must have a 30-goal, 30-assist campaign to help the Devils qualify for the playoffs. Elias is a proud competitor. Don’t bet against him.
Close: Brandon Dubinsky, Rangers; Kyle Okposo, Islanders
Developing: Mattias Tedenby and Jacob Josefson, Devils; Nino Niederreiter, Islanders
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