Projecting end-of-season point totals for players is never an easy task. There are so many different variables that happen during the year that can impact a player’s performance both positively and negatively that can throw a point projection out the window. In the spirit of projections, here is a look at why Henrik Sedin’s franchise record of 112 points will fall this season and which player or players could surpass the Hockey Hall of Famer in 2024-25.
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Before talking about the upcoming, we need to look back on Henrik’s historic 2009-10 campaign. Not only did he set the franchise’s all-time points in a season record, he also became the first Canucks player to win the Art Ross and Hart Trophies. Henrik’s 83 assists that season were also the most by a player for almost a decade before being surpassed by Nikita Kucherov in 2018-19, as well as others since.
As for the logistics of getting to 113 points, there are a couple ways a player can do it. Like Henrik, a player could rack up 80+ assists, which would mean also scoring 30+ goals. The other way is to score a bunch of goals like David Pastrňák did in 2022-23, when he finished with 61 along with 52 assists. While one of Vancouver’s top players may have a season to remember from a goal perspective, the most likely way the record would be broken is by a 35+ goal, 75+ assist season.
Moving on to who could break the record, three names come to mind. The first is Elias Pettersson, who already has a 100-point season in the NHL. Up until February of last season, Pettersson was on pace for just over 110 points but then saw a drop off in large part due to a knee injury. Now, with stronger linemates, Pettersson’s five-on-five totals should increase, which could put him on track to smash the record.
Next up is J.T. Miller, who surpassed the 100-point mark for the first time last season. Like Pettersson, Miller was also on pace to surpass 110 points before the All-Star break, finishing the season with 103. With Brock Boeser by his side and plenty of power play time, Miller has a very good shot of hitting and even surpassing 113 points this season.
The third player who has an outside shot of hitting 112 is Quinn Hughes. Now, before the comments go wild, here is the logic. If both Pettersson and Miller have standout seasons offensively, Hughes will continue to rack up points, which could push him close to the franchise record. While this theory may seem outlandish to some, if there is one thing the NHL learned last season, it’s not to bet against Hughes. Yes, it will take a Herculean effort, as no defenceman has hit 110 since Paul Coffey in 1988-89, but if everything goes right, Hughes could etch his name into history beside Coffey and Bobby Orr by the end of the season.
Based on the way the NHL is progressing and the Pacific Division’s overall goaltending situation, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the record will be broken. Last season alone, four players recorded 120 points or more, while Pastrňák hit the 110 mark. If Pettersson, Miller and even Hughes can continue to take their games to the next level, Henrik’s record should fall sooner rather than later.
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