On Pace for Most Players PPG in Last 10 Years

[COHawk]

I read a recent thread about how scoring was up the highest it has been since 2005-06. Thought it would be interesting to take a look at how many players in each season hit 1.00 PPG or higher, becuase it seemed like a lot were on pace this year. Below shows the average goals per game scored for each season and how many players finished with 1.00 PPG or above in those years. 2012-13 was higher than normal likely due to players being able to maintain a higher pace through a shortened season. But compared to the last 4 years, 26 players on pace this year is a crazy high amount. This has been a really fun year and hopefully everyone finishes out strong. This chart is using 20 minimum games played:

Season	Goals Per Game	Players at 1.00 PPG+
2017-18	2.97	24
2016-17	2.77	8
2015-16	2.71	8
2014-15	2.73	8
2013-14	2.74	13
2012-13	2.72	20
2011-12	2.73	10
2010-11	2.79	15
2009-10	2.84	22
2008-09	2.91	20
2007-08	2.78	23
2006-07	2.95	32
2005-06	3.08	37

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Edited to update after the season has ended.

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[george14]

Interesting to see how GPG were basically identical in 2008 and 2017 but the PPG players is triple.

 

[authentic]

Interesting to see how GPG were basically identical in 2008 and 2017 but the PPG players is triple.

Because of powerplays. There were still way more in 2008 and the rest of the scoring was made up for by depth players who are better and get more ice time now.

 

[authentic]

Also this makes Malkin's season even crazier in 2012.

 

[The Macho King]

Also this makes Malkin's season even crazier in 2012.

...

How? Oh - I see your edit. Fair enough.

 

[Midnight Judges]

Interesting to see how GPG were basically identical in 2008 and 2017 but the PPG players is triple.

There were not a lot of players that were just below a PPG either. Getzlaf was at .99 but after that it's Draisaitl at .94 and a gaggle from there.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Interesting to see scoring is higher today than in 06-07. The stick infractions have worked wonders.

 

[COHawk]

Still 25 on pace with 12-16 games remaining.

 

[Rygu]

Good. The league needs more scoring.

 

[Laineux]

ES scoring is the highest it's been in a long time. Though overall scoring with top players isn't at the level of 05-07 due to less powerplays.

 

[Pancakes]

Wonder what the reason is for the GPG totals.

I think penalties were up earlier in the season compared to what they had previously been the past few years but I'm not sure if that's still the case.

 

[inthewings]

Love the increased scoring this year!

 

[Jeremy Hronek]

Wonder what the reason is for the GPG totals.

I think penalties were up earlier in the season compared to what they had previously been the past few years but I'm not sure if that's still the case.

I think the crack down on stick infractions has allowed players to have more room to score.

 

[daver]

ES scoring is the highest it's been in a long time. Though overall scoring with top players isn't at the level of 05-07 due to less powerplays.

The top end is closer to 09, 10 levels.

 

[Trap Jesus]

Seems like an anomaly of a year. Save percentage is still around what it's been for the last handful of years, as well as PP opportunities per game, it's just that for whatever reason we're seeing the highest ever shots per game (recorded since 1983/84), and the most efficient PP% since 1989/90.

NHL League Averages | Hockey-Reference.com

This is exactly the type of thing the NHL needs though. The elite offensive stars are legitimately taking games over this year. In a league mired with parity, it's a good thing to see.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Amazing how Bettman has done this for the game yet people still have the nerve to think he isnt the best commissioner in sports right now

 

[Martin Skoula]

Anyone know if there's stats available on where the goals are coming from? I feel like 05/06 had more 5-4 type games while this year has more 7-2 type blowouts.

 

[VainGretzky]

Reason for higher GPG players are now shooting high on goalies dropping down on every shot , I have noticed a lot more goals being scored on top half of net .

 

[Daximus]

It's all about PPs. Want to see 80's level scoring? Call 80s level PPs and it will happen.

 

[Daximus]

Amazing how Bettman has done this for the game yet people still have the nerve to think he isnt the best commissioner in sports right now

Well scoring completely regressed under his watch. It's really on him that scoring dipped in the first place.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Well scoring completely regressed under his watch. It's really on him that scoring dipped in the first place.

Perhaps it was a process? The game is far smarter defensively since that happened and now can begin to improve offensively.

Bettman has done wonders.

 

[JD1]

Well scoring completely regressed under his watch. It's really on him that scoring dipped in the first place.

goaltending completely changed under his watch in both style and the athleticism of the people playing the position. Is that on Bettman too?

 

[cgf]

I wonder how much of this is from teams loading up their top lines more this season because of the talent pool having to be spread across out to a 31st team? Feels like there are a lot more teams who have loaded up their top lines instead of trying to "spread the wealth" this season than the past few.

Would make sense for teams to a) capitalize on some of the lesser guys who are taking advantage of the new jobs and b) because everyone has less depth to surround their top players with talent without having to put them all together.

Maybe also be a response to Pittsburgh's current run, that has come on the back of their top-end talent, showing teams that greatness can still overcome depth if you put your stars in position to deliver.

 

[cgf]

Amazing how Bettman has done this for the game yet people still have the nerve to think he isnt the best commissioner in sports right now

The NBA has the best commissioner in NA sports, without question. The NBA is absolutely booming under his watch and even with the lack of parity you are seeing powerhouses in new locations that aren't the same old historic teams that already have banners on banners on banners.

No need to talk down the amazing growth the NBA is having to try & prop up the NHL.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

The NBA has the best commissioner in NA sports, without question. The NBA is absolutely booming under his watch and even with the lack of parity you are seeing powerhouses in new locations that aren't the same old historic teams that already have banners on banners on banners.

No need to talk down the amazing growth the NBA is having to try & prop up the NHL.

Doubtful that a league with two teams having a chance to win it all has the best Commissioner.

NBA's commissioner may be the best at grossing the most money over time (increasing revenues) but Bettman has grown the game further than any sport's commissioner ever has. And it is much much better for it.