The stats line in each entry indicates games played, goals, assists, and total points in 2007-08, with team listed in brackets.
Update, Sept. 14 - Center Robert Lang is removed from this list following his trade to Montreal. Lang's status as a first or second-line center with the Canadiens improves his chance of matching last season's 54 points.
Alexei Kovalev
Forward, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 35
Consider the numbers: 84-47-65-45-77. That's the five-year history of Kovalev's production. Clearly, his contract does not include a consistency clause. Montreal has loads of scoring, so 60 points remains in reach.
2007-08 stats: 82-35-49-84 (Montreal)
Mark Streit
Defenseman/Forward, New York Islanders
Age: 30
Even if he stayed in Montreal, Streit would have been hard-pressed to repeat last season's career numbers. The year before he had 36 points. A move to the offensively-starved Islanders will bring him back down to earth.
2007-08 stats: 81-13-49-62 (Montreal)
Mike Ribeiro
Forward, Dallas Stars
Age: 28
Has Ribeiro found a new level he can sustain for years to come? That's hard to believe. Slot him in for a 15-point drop.
2007-08 stats: 76-27-56-83 (Dallas)
Patrick Sharp
Forward, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 26
Nobody is saying last year was a fluke. But with younger players taking on bigger roles, Sharp should settle in as a 50-point guy.
2007-08 stats: 80-36-26-62 (Chicago)
Vaclav Prospal
Forward, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 33
Back in Tampa, and probably back on a line with Lecavalier and St. Louis. Sounds like a can't-miss situation. But if you believe in long-term trends, the yo-yo pattern of Prospal's career says he'll score 55 points. Maybe this is the year he breaks the up-and-down cycle. But I wouldn't take the chance.
2007-08 stats: 80-33-38-71 (Tampa Bay/Philadelphia)
Dustin Byfuglien
Forward, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 23
Arrived out of nowhere - out of Norfolk, actually - to post very good numbers. He's been a point-producer at every level of the game, but his recent conversion from defence to forward won't come without growing pains. Expect a dip.
2007-08 stats: 67-19-17-36 (Chicago)
