Players who became scorers at older age

[StoneHands]

Mike Knuble. He was a 4th line role player who never scored more than 15 goals until he he hit 30. He had 50 total goals in his first 353 games and then scored 30 the year he turned 30 continued that pace until he was 38.

 

[DropTheGloves]

Jason Blake and Chris Kunitz

 

[mattihp]

Mike Knuble. He was a 4th line role player who never scored more than 15 goals until he he hit 30. He had 50 total goals in his first 353 games and then scored 30 the year he turned 30 continued that pace until he was 38.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone get as clean and good shots on bouncing pucks and pucks in mid-air than Knuble. I think he noticed this skill when he was put on the LW a couple of times.

 

[Conbon]

My son played with Phil Esposito in midget and I remember Espo had a muffin shot then, but as we now know...

Are you 100 years old?

 

[SomeDude]

Jason Blake and Chris Kunitz

Kunitz scored 19 g/40 pts in his first full NHL season, and 25 g/60pts his 2nd year (which would end up being the 3rd most productive season in his career).

He entered the league a few years late since he was undrafted, but I'm not sure he'd qualify as he was a goal scorer from the time he made it.

 

[AnomX]

First player that came to mind was Marchand but you look as his career and it was more so a steady progression from a 20 goal scorer up towards a 40.

 

[The90]

Brad Marchand is the right answer here

Marchand has never been a non goal scorer in his life. That was entirely driven by opportunity, or lack of.

 

[Oddbob]

He was 18. And 1st overall. He didn't come into the league no-one expecting him to score goals.

He also only played like 6 minutes a game, as Burns basically stapled him to the bench his first season.

 

[AhoLottaLove]

Patrick Eaves

 

[SUBdrewgANS]

Pascal Dupuis spent the first part of his career as a grinder. Then he met Sidney Crosby and became a 1st liner for almost a decade.

Robert Lang was struggling to stick in the league before being claimed off waivers by the Pens when he was 28 and became a good top 6 guy, scoring 30 goals twice.

came here also to day Dupuis.

 

[tony d]

I agree with Brad Marchand. Not much of a scorer until his late 20's. 80 points a year or more ever since.

 

[Oddbob]

Dupuis was a goal scorer now?

He had 20 goals at age 23, then 9 years later he scored 25 playing with Crosby, and 20 the next season playing with Crosby. Me thinks he was a non goal scorer who enjoyed extra production from Crosby dishing him pucks, and even then it was only 25 goals and only 1 time. Immediately after just those 2 seasons, he scored at a torrid 7 goals in 39 GP. Hardly what you even come close to calling a goal scorer.

 

[Midnight Judges]

Pascal Dupuis spent the first part of his career as a grinder. Then he met Sidney Crosby and became a 1st liner for almost a decade.

Wow that's a great story! Too bad it's false.

Dupuis had a career high of 48 points/20 goals with Minnesota. Then he had seasons of 12, 28, 38, and 37 points as a Penguin - never topping 20 goals. Then, in 2012, when Sidney Crosby played only 22 games, Pascal Dupius had his best season ever with 59 points and 25 goals. Crosby had a hand in 10 of those points. Crosby had the primary assist on a whopping 3 goals for Dupuis that year.

The next season - where Dupuis had 38 points and 20 goals in 48 games, Crosby factored in a bit more - on 18 of those 38 points. This time Crosby had the primary assist for 5 of Dupuis's 20 goals.

The real reason Dupuis played with Crosby was Crosby sucked at defense and they needed a winger to take on the defensive responsibilities so Crosby could focus on offense.

 

[Midnight Judges]

Dupuis was a goal scorer now?

He had 20 goals at age 23, then 9 years later he scored 25 playing with Crosby...

Actually no, Crosby only played 22 out of 82 games that year.

 

[robsenz]

Patrick Eaves

This one is weid because he scored 20 goals in his rookie season and then 14 the next...he only hit those totals two times for the rest of his career.

 

[drktmplr12]

dadanov

 

[qqaz]

Pascal Dupuis spent the first part of his career as a grinder. Then he met Sidney Crosby and became a 1st liner for almost a decade.

Robert Lang was struggling to stick in the league before being claimed off waivers by the Pens when he was 28 and became a good top 6 guy, scoring 30 goals twice.

I was going to say Robert Lang. Great pick.

I was thinking Joe Pavelski. But, looking at the numbers, he always scored pretty well. He just didn't break out fully until a little later, and kept getting better over time. But he's always been a goalscorer.

 

[Fixxer]

Max Pacioretty was never touted as a goal scorer. He grew his game in the AHL, with David Desharnais. Then, he had 4 consecutive 30 + goals season (first one being a 39 goal season in 73 games).

 

[Los merengues]

Are you 100 years old?

Just a pathological liar.

 

[StoneHands]

Max Pacioretty was never touted as a goal scorer. He grew his game in the AHL, with David Desharnais. Then, he had 4 consecutive 30 + goals season (first one being a 39 goal season in 73 games).

Pacioretty scored 33 goals in his first full NHL season though. I'm not sure developing into a goal scorer in the AHL counts since that's kind of the point of the minor leagues.

 

[PepperKeenan]

Many of these names seem to have some things in common right when they hit their strides, main thing being suddenly put on Hall of Famers lines.

For example Knuble went something like Thornton>Forsberg>Ovi/Bäcks.

 

[Fixxer]

Pacioretty scored 33 goals in his first full NHL season though. I'm not sure developing into a goal scorer in the AHL counts since that's kind of the point of the minor leagues.

I mean, he has now 5 30+ goal season and scoring goals was not a reason why he was drafted. He didn't look like a scorer but he became one.

 

[VoladorJr]

Scott Walker.

Blossomed when the Preds came to the league.

 

[Samsquanch]

Brad Marchand is the right answer here

It actually is the best one that I can think of.

Literally no one expected him to ever be a top 5 winger in the league, not even Marchands own mother.

Even after a few good seasons early into his career (followed up by some mediocre ones after that), the idea that he could reach this level was pretty much non existent.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Glen Murray maybe? Drafted in 1991, had a 29 goal season in 98 but really blew up with the Bruins in the early 2000s with 35, 44, and 32 goals, over 10 years after he was drated.