Plenty of NHL players are hoping for better statistics this season. But the guys on this list have done it before. They just need to get healthy again.
The stats line in each entry indicates games played, goals, assists, and total points from last season, with 2008-09 team in brackets.
Marian Gaborik
Right Wing, New York Rangers
Age: 27
Gaborik is an elite scorer, regularly exceeding a point-per-game clip. But last year that meant 23 points in 17 games. It seems like he's always hurt or about to get hurt. That didn't stop the Rangers from giving him an enormous free agent contract. If they can keep him in the lineup, he could conceivably put up a career year of 90 points or more. If all the other 80-point forwards are taken, draft him and hope for repeat of 2007-08, when he scored 42 goals and 83 points.
2008-09 stats: 17-13-10-23 (Minnesota)
Paul Stastny
Center, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 23
Colorado won't be very good this season. So as long as he's healthy, Stastny will get all the work he can handle. He's had trouble staying healthy for a couple of years, and played just 45 games last season. But he's a proven 70-point player, and still maturing. He should be good for a point per game if he can stay in the lineup.
2008-09 stats: 45-11-25-36 (Colorado)
Brenden Morrow
Left Wing, Dallas StarsAge: 30
The Stars' best player since the lockout and a guaranteed producer, when healthy. Morrow played 18 games last year before knee surgery ended his season. At 30 years old, he should have plenty of good years left, but his physical style suggests we shouldn't count on him playing 82 games. A full season from Morrow means 70 points. Cross your fingers and count on 60.
2008-09 stats: 18-5-10-15 (Dallas)
Erik Johnson
Defense, St. Louis Blues
Age: 21
Two years ago, Johnson counted 33 points as a 19-year-old rookie. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL after losing a fight to a golf cart. But he's been skating since May, he's older and bigger, and rejoins a team that had a great second half last season. He should easily match his rookie point total.
2008-09 stats: Did not play.
Daniel Briere
Center/Wing, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 31
Briere was dogged by groin and abdominal problems last season, but the potent Philadelphia attack didn't miss him much. Given the team's forward depth, we can't expect a repeat of the 95 points he put up for Buffalo back in 2006-07. As long as he's playing on the top two lines and getting his power play time, Briere can surely put up 70 points. But his role in Philadelphia remains a question mark, and he continues to surface in trade rumors.
2008-09 stats: 29-11-14-25 (Philadelphia)
Rick DiPietro
Goaltender, New York Islanders
Age: 28
DiPietro qualifies as a lifetime member on lists like this one. His fragile body and 15-year contract are the source of much humor among hockey fans. But he's played over 60 games in three of the last four seasons. Last season wasn't one of them, as he was felled by knee surgery. Even if he plays his numbers won't be spectacular on a lousy Islanders team. Still, he'll likely come cheap in your fantasy draft, and how many 60-game goalies can you say that about?
2008-09 stats: 5GP-1W-2L-3.52 GAA-.892 SV PCT (Islanders)
