NHL: Who is the greatest goal scorer of their generation?

Mike Bossy

Reign: 1978-81
Team: New York Islanders
Goals Scored during Reign: 188
Games Played: 234 out of a possible 240
Adjusted Goals per Game: 0.78
Goals per Game of Era: 3.62
Scoring Titles: 2

Mike Bossy was a highly touted prospect when he was drafted by the Islanders in 1977. Bossy predicted he’d score 50 the following season, and followed through with 53 goals. The next season, he pulled off the first 50 in 50 trick since Rocket Richard, scoring 50 goals in the first 50 games of the season. He would keep the goals coming, and eventually helped deliver the Islanders four straight Stanley Cups.

Bossy was known for his elusive quickness and deceptively quick shot, to which he used often during his 10 seasons on Long Island. His nine straight 50+ goal seasons was unprecedented at the time, locking him in as one of the greatest goal scorers the league has ever seen.

Bossy’s biggest problem came on late in his career, which would be his ailing back. After the 1986-87 season, he wanted to take some time to recover and heal, but never made it back to the NHL. His bright career was cut short, leaving many to wonder what would have happened had his back not given out.

Bossy belongs up there as the greatest pure scorers ever, and one could only imagine what his numbers would have looked like if not for the injury bug. Early on in his brilliant career, like the Islanders’ dynasty, the scoring title he had a firm hold on had been snatched away by the Edmonton Oilers an Wayne Gretzky.