Top five in goals & assists in same season

Hockey Outsider

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Jan 16, 2005
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This post is statistical trivia, but still might be interesting.

It was recently mentioned in the "Jagr vs Crosby" thread that #68 had five seasons where he placed in the top five in both goals and assists. I wanted to see, from 1968-present, who else had done this:

Only 25 players have joined the "double top five club" since expansion, accomplishing the feat a total of 59 times. Only nine players have done it more than once.

PlayerYearRank-GRank-A
Bernie Nicholls
1989​
2​
5​
Bryan Trottier
1978​
5​
1​
Bryan Trottier
1979​
5​
1​
Connor McDavid
2021​
2​
1​
Connor McDavid
2023​
1​
1​
Daniel Sedin
2011​
4​
3​
Evgeni Malkin
2012​
2​
3​
Gordie Howe
1969​
5​
3​
Guy Lafleur
1977​
2​
1​
Guy Lafleur
1978​
1​
2​
Guy Lafleur
1979​
3​
2​
Guy Lafleur
1976​
2​
3​
Guy Lafleur
1975​
2​
5​
Jaromir Jagr
1999​
2​
1​
Jaromir Jagr
2001​
3​
1​
Jaromir Jagr
1996​
2​
3​
Jaromir Jagr
2006​
2​
3​
Jaromir Jagr
2000​
4​
3​
Jean Ratelle
1972​
5​
3​
Joe Sakic
2001​
2​
5​
John Bucyk
1971​
2​
3​
Ken Hodge
1971​
4​
4​
Leon Draisaitl
2020​
4​
1​
Leon Draisaitl
2021​
4​
2​
Leon Draisaitl
2023​
4​
3​
Marcel Dionne
1977​
3​
2​
Marcel Dionne
1980​
4​
2​
Marcel Dionne
1979​
2​
3​
Marcel Dionne
1981​
2​
3​
Marcel Dionne
1975​
5​
4​
Mario Lemieux
1989​
1​
1​
Mario Lemieux
1996​
1​
1​
Mario Lemieux
1997​
3​
1​
Mario Lemieux
1988​
1​
2​
Mario Lemieux
1993​
3​
4​
Markus Naslund
2002​
5​
4​
Martin St. Louis
2004​
4​
1​
Mike Bossy
1982​
2​
4​
Patrick Kane
2016​
2​
3​
Phil Esposito
1973​
1​
1​
Phil Esposito
1969​
2​
1​
Phil Esposito
1968​
4​
1​
Phil Esposito
1970​
1​
2​
Phil Esposito
1971​
1​
2​
Phil Esposito
1972​
1​
2​
Phil Esposito
1974​
1​
2​
Phil Esposito
1975​
1​
5​
Stan Mikita
1968​
2​
4​
Steve Yzerman
1989​
3​
3​
Teemu Selanne
1999​
1​
4​
Vic Hadfield
1972​
2​
4​
Wayne Gretzky
1982​
1​
1​
Wayne Gretzky
1983​
1​
1​
Wayne Gretzky
1984​
1​
1​
Wayne Gretzky
1985​
1​
1​
Wayne Gretzky
1987​
1​
1​
Wayne Gretzky
1981​
4​
1​
Wayne Gretzky
1989​
4​
1​
Wayne Gretzky
1980​
5​
1​

I was somewhat surprised to see Esposito tied with Gretzky for first. I still don't envision him as a great playmaker in the traditional sense, but he earned an awful lot of assists. Gretzky was 1 goal (in 1986) from accomplishing this nine years in a row.

I was also somewhat surprised to see Trottier make this list not once but twice - what a complete player.

Since this list requires a player to be both a strong goal-scorer and playmaker, not surprisingly it's dominated by centres (38 seasons). There are 16 RW and just 5 LW. Bobby Orr came very close to making the list, falling one goal short in 1975.

Here's how a few of the modern greats stack up:
  • Crosby has never had a "five and five" season. He came closest in 2014, when he finished one goal out of 5th place.
  • Ovechkin, despite his production being very heavily skewed towards goal-scoring, came close once. He was six assists away in 2010.
  • McDavid has done this twice - 2021 and 2023. He also had three close calls - he was a single goal short in 2018, and a hat trick away in 2019 and 2022.
  • Malkin accomplished the feat in 2012, and was one assist away from doing the same in 2008.
  • Kane had a "top five and five" season in 2016 when he decisively led the league in scoring, and was a single assist away from doing it again in 2019.
  • Draisaitl has three such seasons (2020, 2021, and 2023).
 
Last edited:

The Panther

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Mar 25, 2014
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Fun Gretzky factoid #67:

If you slice his assists in half by 50%, he still finishes in the NHL top 20 assists ten times in eleven seasons, from 1981 to 1991. In fact, he finishes in the top 7 four times (1983, 1985, 1986, 1987). And he finishes top 5 twice (1983, 1986).

Here's his scoring finishes if you delete all his goals:
1981 - 5th (tied with Stastny)
1982 - 5th
1983 - 1st (won scoring title by 1 point on assists only)
1984 - 4th (tied with Bossy)
1985 - 1st (tied with his linemate, Kurri)
1986 - 1st (won scoring title by 22 points on assists only)
1987 - 1st (won scoring title by 13 points on assists only)
1988 - 8th
1989 - 6th
1990 - 10th (tied with Sakic and Oates)
1991 - 2nd (only 9 points behind Hull)
1992 - 16th (tied with Roberts)
1994 - 18th (tied with Sakic)

So, he'd still have 4 scoring titles (more than all but four players in history) if he'd never scored a single goal.
 

Plural

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Mar 10, 2011
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Oh man. Statistically, Gretzky is out of this world. :laugh:

I should not be surprised to see those stats. But I still am.
 

Sens Rule

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Sep 22, 2005
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You have to wonder if Howe did this more times then 8. Pretty sure he must have but I am not going to dig through his stats now.
 

nik jr

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Sep 25, 2005
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You have to wonder if Howe did this more times then 8. Pretty sure he must have but I am not going to dig through his stats now.
12 times

'50, '51, '52, '53, '54, '56, '57, '58, '62, '63, '65, '69


beliveau 5 times: '56, '57, '59, '61, '64

mikita 5 times: '64, '65, '66, '67, '68

morenz 4 times: '28, '29, '31, '32

lindsay 4 times: '49, '52, '53, '54

bathgate 3 times: '58, '59, '63
 

pnep

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Mar 10, 2004
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Novosibirsk,Russia
Top five in goals & assists in same season (1917-2014)

Player|# Seasons
Howe Gordie|12
Gretzky Wayne|8
Esposito Phil|8
Denneny Cy|5
Lemieux Mario|5
Lafleur Guy|5
Dionne Marcel|5
Mikita Stan|5
Beliveau Jean|5
Jagr Jaromir|5
Lindsay Ted|4
Morenz Howie|4
Nighbor Frank|3
Bathgate Andy|3
Joliat Aurele|2
Bentley Max|2
Moore Dickie|2
Lalonde Newsy|2
Hull Bobby|2
Denneny Corbett|2
Schriner Sweeney|2
Trottier Bryan|2
Malone Joe|2
Abel Sid|2
Richard Henri|1
Cowley Bill|1
Dye Babe|1
Fredrickson Frank|1
Nicholls Bernie|1
Goodfellow Ebbie|1
Drillon Gordie|1
Boucher Billy|1
Bossy Mike|1
Grosso Don|1
Bailey Ace I.|1
Hadfield Vic|1
Noble Reg|1
Hay George|1
Sakic Joe|1
Hextall Bryan Sr.|1
Selanne Teemu|1
Hodge Ken|1
Weiland Cooney|1
Apps C.J. Syl|1
Conacher Roy|1
Boucher Frank|1
Bentley Doug|1
Irvin Dick|1
Naslund Markus|1
Jackson Busher|1
Blake Toe|1
Broadbent Harry Punch|1
Ratelle Jean|1
Bucyk John|1
Rousseau Bobby|1
Kennedy Ted|1
Schmidt Milt|1
Lach Elmer|1
Sedin Daniel|1
Burch Billy|1
St. Louis Martin|1
Cain Herb|1
Ullman Norm|1
Cleghorn Odie|1
Yzerman Steve|1
Conacher Charlie|1
Malkin Evgeni|1
 
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Iceman

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More than dominance I think this represents how versatile some of these all time great players actually were (defensive skills and smart play sometimes came along with time so whatever on that).

Even some of the players that were primarily known for their elite goalscoring OR passing have done pretty well in the other category as well.

I've always found Esposito's assist total to be particular interesting, given his playstyle at his peak (*cough* Orr's peak *cough*) .

Also interesting is how difficult it is to do this twice these days (non-existent pretty much) let alone once ofc.
 
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BraveCanadian

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Jun 30, 2010
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Impressive stuff.

Gordie's longevity really shines through but it does show just how great some of the other usual suspects were.. The caricature of Esposito as a garbage man may take a hit.
 

The Panther

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The caricature of Esposito as a garbage man may take a hit.
As it should. Espo's offensive numbers reach Gretzky/Lemieux-like levels. He was a multiple Cup winner, while his injury in '73 put the Bruins out of the playoffs. He was the effective MVP of the '72 Summit Series. He set the all-time records for goals and points in a season. He led the NHL in goals for six straight seasons. Yet people on this forum treat him like he was Rob Brown.

The post a little above is typical of this treatment. No matter how many times it's pointed out that Esposito...
- scored 126 points in a season when Orr scored 64
- was the MVP of the Summit Series, without Orr
- scored 143 goals in his first 301 games without Orr, when he was old (then led the Rangers in scoring at age 36 when they went to the Final in '79)


....It is still the received "wisdom" that his entire career achievement is due to Orr's presence.
 

Hardyvan123

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Jul 4, 2010
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Top five in goals & assists in same season (1917-2014)

Player|# Seasons
Howe Gordie|12
Gretzky Wayne|8
Esposito Phil|8
Denneny Cy|5
Lemieux Mario|5
Lafleur Guy|5
Dionne Marcel|5
Mikita Stan|5
Beliveau Jean|5
Jagr Jaromir|5
Lindsay Ted|4
Morenz Howie|4
Nighbor Frank|3
Bathgate Andy|3
Joliat Aurele|2
Bentley Max|2
Moore Dickie|2
Lalonde Newsy|2
Hull Bobby|2
Denneny Corbett|2
Schriner Sweeney|2
Trottier Bryan|2
Malone Joe|2
Abel Sid|2
Richard Henri|1
Cowley Bill|1
Dye Babe|1
Fredrickson Frank|1
Nicholls Bernie|1
Goodfellow Ebbie|1
Drillon Gordie|1
Boucher Billy|1
Bossy Mike|1
Grosso Don|1
Bailey Ace I.|1
Hadfield Vic|1
Noble Reg|1
Hay George|1
Sakic Joe|1
Hextall Bryan Sr.|1
Selanne Teemu|1
Hodge Ken|1
Weiland Cooney|1
Apps C.J. Syl|1
Conacher Roy|1
Boucher Frank|1
Bentley Doug|1
Irvin Dick|1
Naslund Markus|1
Jackson Busher|1
Blake Toe|1
Broadbent Harry Punch|1
Ratelle Jean|1
Bucyk John|1
Rousseau Bobby|1
Kennedy Ted|1
Schmidt Milt|1
Lach Elmer|1
Sedin Daniel|1
Burch Billy|1
St. Louis Martin|1
Cain Herb|1
Ullman Norm|1
Cleghorn Odie|1
Yzerman Steve|1
Conacher Charlie|1
Malkin Evgeni|1

not surprising that the table is dominated by 06 players and a lopsided 70's group of players.

I doubt we will see anyone do more than a single season or 2 in a 30 team league going forward, just too much competition for it and injuries are much more prevalent as well.

PNEP do you have any data on top 5,10,20 scoring and then how it changes for the following season, ie a top 5,10 or 20 guy drops out due to injury and missed games?

Eyeballing the data it looks like a huge shift occurs in the early 90's going forward but I haven't run the numbers as I don't have programs and do things manually.
 

Hardyvan123

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Jul 4, 2010
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As it should. Espo's offensive numbers reach Gretzky/Lemieux-like levels. He was a multiple Cup winner, while his injury in '73 put the Bruins out of the playoffs. He was the effective MVP of the '72 Summit Series. He set the all-time records for goals and points in a season. He led the NHL in goals for six straight seasons. Yet people on this forum treat him like he was Rob Brown.

The post a little above is typical of this treatment. No matter how many times it's pointed out that Esposito...
- scored 126 points in a season when Orr scored 64
- was the MVP of the Summit Series, without Orr
- scored 143 goals in his first 301 games without Orr, when he was old (then led the Rangers in scoring at age 36 when they went to the Final in '79)


....It is still the received "wisdom" that his entire career achievement is due to Orr's presence.

This is huge straw man material, no one has ever compared Phil to Rob Brown (who was underrated and an extremely skilled offensive player with zero lunch bucket or drive at the NHL level), although I guess if Brown had played 5 or 6 seasons with Mario who knows.

We know that Mario inflated the totals of some very good players in Tochett, Stevens, and Rechii as well.

Nor are any saying that Phil's entire resume is Orr related.

but seriously how do you square the circle (and everyone else that has Orr as in the group of 4 and lock for #1 Dman of all time) and not acknowledge that he greatly influenced that offense and team in Boston?

You simply can't just say that Phil was late bloomer who just happened to play with the most prolific offensive Dman of all time it doesn't wash.
 

Sens Rule

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Sep 22, 2005
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This is huge straw man material, no one has ever compared Phil to Rob Brown (who was underrated and an extremely skilled offensive player with zero lunch bucket or drive at the NHL level), although I guess if Brown had played 5 or 6 seasons with Mario who knows.

We know that Mario inflated the totals of some very good players in Tochett, Stevens, and Rechii as well.

Nor are any saying that Phil's entire resume is Orr related.

but seriously how do you square the circle (and everyone else that has Orr as in the group of 4 and lock for #1 Dman of all time) and not acknowledge that he greatly influenced that offense and team in Boston?

You simply can't just say that Phil was late bloomer who just happened to play with the most prolific offensive Dman of all time it doesn't wash.

1972 Summit Series. No Howe, Hull or Orr. He was the leader and best player in the series. Pretty much showing what he was at his best.
 
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The Panther

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but seriously how do you square the circle... and not acknowledge that he greatly influenced that offense and team in Boston?
How did I not acknowledge this?
You simply can't just say that Phil was late bloomer who just happened to play with the most prolific offensive Dman of all time it doesn't wash.
Why doesn't it? Espo played with Boston from age 25 to 33. Those encapsulate his peak years. He was a slightly late bloomer, but he was already an impact player in Chicago, playing as 2nd center behind Mikita.

How do you explain Orr and Esposito's relative stats in 1968-69?

How do you explain that Espo scored 42 goals and led the playoffs in scoring at age 36 (years after Orr and with a mediocre team), but only scored 20-27 goals playing in Chicago aged 22-24 if he wasn't a late bloomer?
 

Hockey Outsider

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Jan 16, 2005
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No new additions to the list for 2015.

The closest were Jamie Benn (2 goals out 5th place in the first category, 3 assists out of 5th place in the second category) or John Tavares (4th in goals, but 7 assists out of 5th place).
 

Hockey Outsider

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Updated for 2016. Patrick Kane finished 2nd in goals and 3rd in assists. Crosby and Benn were close, but not quite there.
 

DisgruntledGoat*

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One thing that stands out to me is Yzerman with just one season. Not to knock Yzerman, but its another little piece that gives lie to the idea that in the late 80s he had 'third most prolific scorer' position behind 99 and 66 locked up, and was underrated playing in their shadow.
 

vadim sharifijanov

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One thing that stands out to me is Yzerman with just one season. Not to knock Yzerman, but its another little piece that gives lie to the idea that in the late 80s he had 'third most prolific scorer' position behind 99 and 66 locked up, and was underrated playing in their shadow.

even more surprising: you can pretend mario and gretz don't exist and yzerman still only has one double top five.
 

SealsFan

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One thing that stands out to me is Yzerman with just one season. Not to knock Yzerman, but its another little piece that gives lie to the idea that in the late 80s he had 'third most prolific scorer' position behind 99 and 66 locked up, and was underrated playing in their shadow.

Yeah, no real surprises at the top of the list so I was looking for surprises at the bottom, and Yzerman and Sakic stood out to me as players I would have expected to see on the list more than once...
 

authentic

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Nice to see Kane join this list. He actually finished in the top 3 for both.
 

tony d

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Yeah, Kane makes it there this year, got to wonder if he didn't have a midseason "slump" this year if he wouldn't have had a better staistical season.
 

TheDevilMadeMe

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Dividing it into 4 equal blocks of 12 seasons each:

From 1968 - 1979, there were 24 such player seasons.

From 1980 - 1991, there were 15 such seasons.

From 1992 - 2003, there were 10 such seasons.

From 2004-2016, there were 5 such seasons.

Interesting to note the increasing specialization of player roles.
 

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