He could get 180+ points and 80 goals. I mean he did it in ‘96 (pace wise over 70 games) when the scoring was the same as this year…after a year off.
Gretzky was better in his early career but I personally believe that 25-30 years old Lemieux is the best hockey player ever.
1988-89: EVG: 2.53, PPG: 1.06, SHG: 0.15
1992-93: EVG: 2.44, PPG: 1.03, SHG: 0.15
1995-96: EVG: 2.10, PPG: 0.90, SHG: 0.14
2023-24: EVG: 2.35, PPG: 0.64, SHG: 0.09
All three of his best in 2024 levels:
‘93 ML: 60 GP: 59 G, 73 A, 132 P (2.20)
(45 EVG, 10 PPG, 4 SHG)
(47 EVA, 24 PPA, 2 SHA)
‘89 ML: 76 GP: 65 G, 89 A, 154 P (2.03)
(38 EVG, 19 PPG, 8 SHG)
(57 EVA, 29 PPA, 3 SHA)
‘96 ML: 70 GP: 60 G, 83 A, 143 P (2.04)
(33 EVG, 22 PPG, 5 SHG)
(48 EVA, 34 PPA, 1 SHA)
1996 total Goals per game was virtually the same as today with even strength being a bit lower but powerplay (and overall special teams) was not. It was 1980-1993 live puck era average in that regard. Couple that with one of two absolute peak Jagr seasons and Ron Francis on a powerplay in which the penguins racked up their points on that year and the 1996 year is the same as his 1989 one statistically. We know in reality that 1989 was a far superior player to 1996 and did so with a far worse supporting cast. 1996 Lemieux wouldn’t do what he did then in this environment for these reasons (he’d still be the best player this season even as that version).
Essentially you have 82 game paces in 2024 levels of 180 for 1993 on arguably the most stacked team I’ve ever watched (Mario’s second best version to my eye who was there for 15-20 games per year), 167 for 1996 where he had a very top heavy stacked offensive juggernaut team with the perfect conditions to rack up points and 166 in 1989 with a poor supporting cast outside of Coffey.
We know that his time on ice would be lower to go with these numbers already transferred into this years scoring environment so it’s fair to assume that he loses another 5-10 points just based off of lower TOI at even strength powerplay and short handed. To my eye 1996 Mario was around 2023 McDavid level which makes sense if he is now at 133 in 70 (1.90). To me 1989 was his best eye test but I can’t ignore 1993’s even strength dominance.