NHL 2024-2025 Season: Most Likely to Hit 100 Points for the First Time
For the second time in consecutive years, the league’s goals-against-average is below .900. Before the 2022–2023 season, this statistic last happened in the 2005–2006 season. With this being said, it only makes sense to look into what players across the league have the best chance to join the century club, with the net being filled in recent years.
- Jack Hughes (Career high: 99 in ‘22-’23)
Jack Hughes has quickly become the heartbeat of the New Jersey Devils since being drafted in 2019. A few seasons ago, he broke the Devils’ single-season point record after Patrik Elias potted 96 points in the 2000–2001 season. His ability to create time and space is top-tier and with a newly loaded roster, I expect him to have a mind-blowing season after dealing with injuries throughout the ‘23-’24 campaign.
2. Mitch Marner (Career high(s): 99 in ‘22–’23, 97 in ‘21-’22)
Amidst all of the outside noise this guy has faced, (1st round exits, criticism of his game, and the latest being involved in mock trades/trade rumors) he remains consistent and focused on getting better each year. Newly-acquired tenured Head Coach, Craig Berube, hopes to right the ship to find success for a storied franchise who have come up short year after year. Marner has seen himself surpass the 90-point plateau three times throughout his eight-year career. As a pending UFA in 2025, he enters the ‘24-’25 with something to prove.
3. Brayden Point (Career high: 95 in ‘22-’23)
With Steven Stamkos departing to Nashville in the biggest free agency story of 2024, someone has to step up to fill the void if the Tampa Bay Lightning wish to continue their postseason presence. Point sees himself become the clear first-line center in Tampa. He has tremendous chemistry with Nikita Kucherov; adding Jake Guentzel to his left side will only help his case. It’s hard to believe that he has not surpassed 100 points in his career (yet).
4. William Nylander (Career high: 98 in ‘23-’24)
Nylander shot out of the gates HOT to start the 2023–2024 season where he compiled a 17-game point streak (27 points) that helped him earn an extension with the Leafs in early January. He slowed down quite a bit in the latter half, especially the last eleven or so games of the regular season where he only had four points. When his game is on, his skating and puck-possession abilities allow him to dictate the pace of the game — hope to see more this coming season. Nonetheless, the sky’s the limit after notching his second consecutive 40-goal season of his career. I expect the same for this coming year.
5. Filip Forsberg (Career high: 94 in ‘23-’24)
Forsberg was Nashville’s bright light in their surprisingly good season (especially the latter half as they were able to sneak into the postseason and JUST fell short to the Vancouver Canucks). He set career highs in goals, assists, and points in his 12th season. I expect a better, if not, a similar output as he had in the ‘23-’24 season as the Predators continued to impress this offseason adding some big-name players to their roster to continue their re-tool.
6. Quinn Hughes (Career high: 92 in ‘23-’24)
This may be the year we see the two eldest Hughes brothers notch 100-point seasons. Quinn’s best is yet to come, which is hard to believe after the season he had in his first year as captain. His numbers continue to ascend year over year. He’s been dominant on the offensive end with his puck possession time, which is comparable to the way Cale Makar plays.
7. Cale Makar (Career high: 90 in ‘23-’24)
His consistent engine, and then tacking on the skating and puck-handling abilities allows him to flourish as one of the best in his position. Elite right-handed defensemen are tough to come by, but the Avalanche and their scouting staff found a future hall-of-fame gem coming out of the AJHL in the 2017 Entry Draft. His job has become elevated after we’ve seen numerous injuries, questionable offseason moves, and just overall salary cap implications across the Avalanche lineup.
8. Kyle Connor (Career high: 93 in ‘21-’22)
Dark horse pick out of Winnipeg solely because of his potential. He’s a gifted goal scorer and knows how to find the soft areas of the offensive end. His timing and awareness of plays that are bound to happen is one of the best in the game right now. Whether Connor hits this milestone or not can be dependent on his linemates throughout the season. Unfortunately, his 2023–2024 campaign was cut short due to injuries, but I expect a 40+ goal season from him, yet again.
9. Tim Stutzle (Career high: 90 in ‘22-’23)
The Senators look to find the postseason for the first time since 2017 and they’re going to need Stutzle to break out in a major way. With the one-two punch of Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle, along with finally having a number-one goalie in Linus Ullmark, it is what the Senators have needed for a long time. Stutzle has been one of the few bright lights in Ottawa as he has put up consistent numbers on horrible lineups.
10. Aleksander Barkov (Career high: 96 in ‘18-’19)
The reigning Stanley Cup champions and their captain look to build on their success leading into the 2024–2025 season. They’ve lost a few members of their winning squad, but have re-tooled in a near perfect way. Barkov continues to lead the charge and build off of his incredible postseason run where he displayed the definition of a perfect 200' game. His offense is just as brilliant. If he can put together a full 82 games in the regular season for the first time since his career-high year, he will reach the 100-point plateau.
Honorable Mentions: Jack Eichel, Sebastian Aho, Dylan Larkin
