The return of the 50-goal scorer to Detroit

November 15, 5:54 PMDetroit Red Wings ExaminerMike Mouat

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Johan Franzen celebrates a goal (AP photo, Paul Sancya)

There are currently eight players in the NHL on pace to score 50 goals this season, including two Detroit Red Wings. Only once in Red Wings history has their been two 50-goal scorers in the same season, 1993-94, when Sergei Fedorov scored 56 goals and Ray Sheppard had 52.

The current Red Wings on pace to score 50 goals this season are Marian Hossa and Henrik Zetterberg, with 10 goals each through 16 games they are on pace for 51 goals.

The other players on pace for 50 or more goals this season are Alexander Semin of Washington, Zach Parise of New Jersey, Thomas Vanek of Buffalo, Jarome Iginla of Calgary, and Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter of Philadelphia. The last time the NHL had eight players score 50 or more goals in a single season was in 1995-96.

Johan Franzen would also likely be on pace to score 50 goals this season had he not missed five games with a knee sprain. Based on his eight goals in 16 games played by Detroit he is on pace to score 41 goals, however, if he were to stay healthy and maintain his current goals-per-game played pace he could score 56 goals.

Only twice in NHL history has a single team had three 50-goal scorers in the same season. The 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers scored a league record 446 goals in 80 games led by Wayne Gretzky with 87, Glenn Anderson with 54 and Jari Kurri with 52. The second highest scoring team in NHL history, the 1985-86 Oilers, scored 426 goals and Gretzky (52), Anderson (54) and Kurri (68) again turned the trick.

While three 50 goal-scorers from the same team has rarely been accomplished, there has been seven teams with two 50-goal scorers and a third player who came very close, including three former Red Wings (bolded). 

1995-96 – Pittsburgh Penguins – Mario Lemieux (69), Jaromir Jagr (62), Petr Nedved (45)

1992-93 – Pittsburgh Penguins – Lemieux (69), Kevin Stevens (55), Rick Tocchet (48)

1988-89    – Los Angeles Kings – Bernie Nicholls (70), Gretzky (54), Luc Robitaille (46)

1987-88 – Calgary Flames – Joe Nieuwendyk (51), Hakan Loob (50), Mike Bullard (48)

1983-84 – Edmonton Oilers – Gretzky (73), Kurri (71), Mike Krushelnyski (43)

1980-81 – Los Angeles Kings – Marcel Dionne (58), Charlie Simmer (56), Dave Taylor (47)

1970-71 – Boston Bruins – Phil Esposito (76), John Bucyk (51), Ken Hodge (43)