Article content
Who has more top line forwards? Edmonton, Vegas or their playoff rivals?
One key aspect that defines a top line forward in the NHL is his ability to put up points at even strength.
Article content
There are six first and second line forwards on each NHL team, 192 of them in the NHL. Right now on their roster, Vegas has the most Top 6 forwards, if we go by 5-on-5 point scoring over the past two seasons.
Article content
In total 193 NHL regular forwards have averaged 1.68 points per 60 5-on-5 for the past two seasons. They are all in the Top 6 category. Nathan MacKinnon leads the way at 3.33 pts per 60, with Connor McDavid in second, 3.01 pts per 60.
Vegas had ten such Top 6 forwards on their roster, and this doesn’t include new acquisition Tomas Hertl from San Jose, who has scored at the rate of a third-line forward the past two seasons in San Jose at even strength. Hertl has scored just 1.56 pts per 60.
Edmonton is next with eight such forwards: Connor McDavid, 3.01; Leon Draisaitl, 2.51; Zach Hyman, 2.48; Warren Foegele, 2.18; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2.03; Adam Henrique, 1.85; Evander Kane. 1.74; and Ryan McLeod, 1.73.
Vancouver, Winnipeg and Dallas also have eight Top 6 forwards, while Los Angeles has six and Colorado has just five.
Staples on politics
My most unpopular opinion? It’s this one. Few want to hear it, let alone act on it
At the Cult of Hockey
STAPLES: Player grades in big win over Pitt
McCURDY: Player grades in loss to Sabres
Share this article in your social network
