There’s no question that the National Hockey League’s record
books are dominated by Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Between the two, they
own the top 12 single season performances in total assists, the top 13 point
totals and three of the top four goal totals. What if neither had existed? What
would the record books look like today?
·
Steve Yzerman would hold the points record with
155 points
·
Bobby Orr would still hold the record for most
assists in a season
·
Brett Hull would hold the record for most goals
Of course, the butterfly effect would be in effect and guys
like Jari Kurri, Bernie Nicholls, Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr and Paul Coffey,
although stars, may not have had such great numbers without the help of the
Great One and Super Mario. And, of course, this is purely hypothetical as time
travel has not been invented yet.
Gretzky will most likely forever hold the record for goals,
assists and points in a season. His 92 goals in 1981-82 are pretty much
untouchable, although Brett Hull made a pretty good run at it in 1990-91. If
the two greats had never played the game, the record for most goals in a single
NHL season would belong to Hull at 86 while playing for the St. Louis Blues.
Following ten goals behind would be a trio of players at 76
goals. Phil Esposito owned the record before Gretzky with his 76 goal
performance with the Boston Bruins in 1970-71, a mark that was at the time
thought to be unbeatable. Alexander Mogilny of the Buffalo Sabres and Teemu
Selanne of the Winnipeg Jets both scored 76 in 1992-93. Mogilny’s total is a
Buffalo Sabres record. Selanne still holds the record for most goals by an NHL
rookie.
Wayne Gretzky’s record of 163 assists in 1985-86 is 61 more
than the next non-dynamic duo mark. Bobby Orr would be our record holder with
the 102 assists he accumulated during the 1970-71 season. The 102 is still a
team record and the most by any defenseman in NHL history. Orr is the only
player other than Gretzky and Lemieux to top 100 assists in a single season.
Close behind with 97 assists is another Boston Bruin. Adam
Oates achieved this total in 1992-93. Ironically, the third highest total
belongs to Joe Thornton with 96. Joe played the first half of the 2005-06
season with the Bruins before being traded to the San
Jose Sharks.
Take away the top thirteen point totals in NHL history,
including Gretzky’s record 215 in 1985-86 and you’re left with Steve
Yzerman as the leading man. Yzerman totaled 155 points in 1988-89 with the
Detroit Red Wings. That was good enough for just third in the race for the Art
Ross Trophy as Lemieux had 199 and Gretzky had 168.
Phil Esposito’s 152 points in that magic 1970-71 Boston
Bruins season stands the test of time and would be the second best without the
duo. Bring out the asterix for numbers three and four. Bernie Nicholls totaled
150 points in 1988-89 with the help of Wayne Gretzky and Jaromir Jagr had 149
in 1995-96 with the help of Lemieux. The next two on the list would be Pat
Lafontaine with his 148 points with the Buffalo Sabres in 1992-93 and Mike
Bossy with 147 with the New York Islanders in 1981-82.
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