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Todd Cordell
1. Mark Stone
Despite spending the majority of the season on a horrendous Ottawa team, Stone posted exceptional on-ice numbers – headlined by a 57.71 expected goals for% and 57.85 goals for% at 5v5. Stone put up 33 goals and 73 points so the counting totals were there, too. I think he had a legitimate case for the Selke.
2. Johnny Gaudreau
Gaudreau registered 84 points on a bad Calgary team in 2017-18, and 99 points while leading the Western Conference winners in 2018-19. Few are as dynamic and prolific offensively, and few generate extra power play opportunities for their team the way Gaudreau does. Last season he drew 31(!) more minors than he took.
3. Leon Draisaitl
He just potted 50 goals, and added 55 assists for good measure, on a team that has only two other quality forwards. He's really damn good.
4. Patrick Kane
I don't think much of his defensive play but it's pretty hard to argue against 110 points in 81 games.
5. Timo Meier
This is sort of a bet on what's to come. Meier was an extremely efficient scorer and chance generator last season. He just didn't get a *ton* of ice time on a stacked San Jose team. With Joe Pavelski, Gustav Nyquist and Joonas Donskoi leaving, there are a lot of extra minutes on the wings up for grabs. If he eats, say, two of them per night and continues to be so efficient, I think we could be looking at an 80-90 point season in 2019-20.
Sean Maloughney
1.) Patrick Kane
In the last five years, no winger in the Western Conference has more goals than Patrick Kane. The under 6' forward is one of the most creative players in the league and an offensive threat every time he steps onto the ice.
2.) Mark Stone
A bit of a cheat because he has played less than 20 games in the Western Conference now that he is a member of the Golden Knights. Nevertheless, Stone is a gifted power forward that was able to put up big numbers on a hilariously weak Senators team. He clearly has the ability to generate offense on his own and playing with higher quality teammates will only continue to showcase his talent.
3.) Johnny Gaudreau
Johnny Hockey might be the invisible man once the playoffs roll around (sorry....Oilers blogger) but his work over the past five seasons in the regular season are quite something. The fact that he has shown to be such a proven scorer combined with his diminutive stature is an impressive feat.
4.) Leon Draisaitl
Unfortunately, until the Oilers acquire a couple more top 6 forwards, the conversation outside of Edmonton will always be that Draisaitl is only good because he plays with McDavid. For those who watch Edmonton, they will know that simply isn't true. McDavid's 5 on 5 production increases whenever he plays with Draisaitl. The two players are one of the most dynamic duos in the entire league. Another season like the one he just had, and Leon will jump up a few spots on this list.
5.) Blake Wheeler
The big man has still got it, putting up 91 points last season as a 32 year old. Laine and Connor might be the future of the Jets, but Blake Wheeler has gone about his business for nearly a decade as a 25+ goal scorer and skilled power forward.
Honorable Mentions: Mikko Rantanen, Patrik Laine, Jamie Benn
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