In 1981-82, Wayne Gretzky set the NHL record for goals in a season with 92. Of course, the NHL just happened to average 8.03 goals per game that year, making it one of the highest scoring seasons in league history.
If all Gretzky’s seasons are placed in the context of 1981-82, adjusting each individual season’s goals-per-game average to match 8.03, the Great One’s best effort would actually be 1983-84 when he recorded 87 goals in 74 games. That season, the league averaged 7.89 goals per contest. Adjust the numbers accordingly, and Gretzky’s 1983-84 total would equate to 96 goals over 80 games. But would that be the best season ever?
Adjusted Goal Totals for NHL Greats
Phil Esposito’s 1970-71 season falls just short. With the league averaging 6.24 goals per game, Esposito ripped home 76 goals in 78 contests. Translate that into 1981-82 numbers, and Espo would have bagged 95 over 80 games. The legendary Bruin also would have had seasons of 86 (1971-72) and 84 (1973-74) goals.
Brett Hull lit the lamp 86 times in 1990-91 when the league averaged 7.63 goals per game. Again, adjust Hull’s total the necessary 5% to match 1981-82, and his 86 goals would be worth 92 over 80 games.
That’s better than even dear old dad. When Bobby Hull’s best seasons are placed in the context of 1981-82, he can’t crack 79 goals, hitting the mark three times (1965-66, 1966-67, and 1968-69).
Mike Bossy played most of his career when goal-scoring was rather high, so his numbers don’t need much adjusting. His best season would be 1978-79, with his 69 goals worth 78 in 1981-82.
Gordie Howe was known more for consistency than explosive goal-scoring. His best year, 1952-53, saw him score 49 goals in 70 games. And despite the league averaging a paltry 4.77 goals per game that season, Howe’s 49 goals would still only be worth 79 over 80 games in 1981-82.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s historic 1944-45 season, in which he rang up 50 goals in 50 games, would equate to 86 goals in Gretzky’s record campaign.
What about Alexander Ovechkin? Well, the reigning goal champ’s 65 goals in 2007-08 would jump to 83 in 1981-82's hockey economy.
Neely and Lemieux’s Record Scoring Paces
Only two men could surpass Gretzky’s adjusted 1983-84 total of 96 goals. The first is Cam Neely. Boston’s beloved power forward went for 50 goals in 49 games in 1993-94. Putting aside his knee issues for a moment, had Neely been able to sustain that pace over a full 80 games in 1981-82, he’d have finished with 98 goals.
Mario Lemieux also benefits from an abbreviated sampling. Lemieux’s 1992-93 season, when he scored 69 goals in 60 games, would be worth 101 goals over 80 games in 1981-82.
Obviously, Neely and Lemieux’s respective health problems prevented any runs at immortality, but adjusting the numbers at least shines a light on their remarkable scoring paces.
Lemieux’s 1988-89 and 1995-96 seasons, when he managed to play at least 70 games, would each match Gretzky’s hypothetical 1983-84 total of 96 goals.
Best Goal-Scoring Seasons in NHL History Placed in 1981-82 Terms
(minimum 50 goals - adjusted to 80-game schedule and 8.03 goals-per-game average)
1992-93 Mario Lemieux -101
1993-94 Cam Neely - 98
1983-84 Wayne Gretzky - 96
1988-89 Mario Lemieux - 96
1995-96 Mario Lemieux - 96
1970-71 Phil Esposito - 95
1981-82 Wayne Gretzky - 92
1990-91 Brett Hull - 92
1991-92 Brett Hull - 87
1944-45 Maurice Richard - 86
1971-72 Phil Esposito - 86
1992-93 Alexander Mogilny - 86
1973-74 Phil Esposito - 84
2007-08 Alexander Ovechkin - 83
1984-85 Jari Kurri - 80
1989-90 Brett Hull - 80
Michael Dell - Michael Dell has been the Head Writer and Editor-in-Chief of LCS Hockey (www.lcshockey.com) since 1994. In his spare time he enjoys ...
