Stats Corner: Carrying Offensive Loads

Posted by exposrip in Hockey, More Sports, Stats Corner on 06 7th, 2009 | no responses

I was curious about something. With everyone talking about how Crosby, Ovechkin and Malkin (soon to be joined by Ryan Getzlaf?) being the future of hockey, I took a peek at what percentage of their respective team’s goal output they represented over the last couple of seasons. Before I disclose the results, here’s a list of select players and their results. I only considered players who were in the top 10 in scoring during their careers (number in brackets next to each name) starting with the 1949-50 season. Obviously, this will have an impact on the percentage alongside various factors like injuries and line mates. Nevertheless, I simply calculated the numbers.

Wayne Gretzky (16) .46 - Incredibly consistent.
Mario Lemieux (10).45 - Played in a clutch and grab era and dealt with injuries.
Eric Lindros (3).43 - Averaged 1.1. ppg in his injury riddled career.
Jaromir Jagr (9).41 - One of the most dominating players of his generation.
Pavel Bure (4) .41 - Electrifying - and under rated. Another player plagued by injuries.
Marcel Dionne (8).41 - Unfortunate he never got to hoist the Cup.
Andy Bathgate (9).40 - Hart trophy winner in 1959.
Joe Sakic (9).39 - Captain Canada never won the Art Ross during a brilliant career.
Steve Yzerman (6) .39 - From dreadful Dead Wings to helping orchestrate its dynasty.
Gordie Howe (20) .38 - 20 top 10 finishes!
Phil Esposito (10) .37 - One of the greatest point producers ever.
Stan Mikita (9) .37 - 22 years: All with the Blackhawks.
Peter Stastny (6) .37 - Sometimes regarded as the second best player of his era: Behind 99.
Guy Lafleur (6) .36 - Lafleur’s six peak years were small compared to some but he made it count.
Bobby Hull (11) .36 - He and Mikita led the Blackhawks (then Black Hawks) to last Cup in 1961.
Mike Bossy (8).35 - Greatest pure scorer ever?
Maurice Richard (11).34 - Greatest pure scorer ever?
Bryan Trottier (6) .34 - Stan Fischler and Al Arbour once thought he was the best player in hockey.
Ron Francis (5) .34 - Didn’t reach a top 10 until 1994-95.
Bobby Clarke .34 - Won the Hart trophy three times.
Jean Beliveau (12) .33 - One of the greatest centers of all-time.
Mark Messier (6).33 - 1 887 points. Second all-time behind 99. No Art Ross trophy.