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

Teemu Selanne

Reign: 1992-99
Team: Winnipeg Jets, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Goals Scored during Reign: 313
Games Played: 485 out of a possible 544
Adjusted Goals per Game: 0.58
Goals per Game of Era: 3.03
Scoring Titles: 3

Teemu Selanne burst onto the NHL scene like no rookie had ever done before him. He scored a hat trick in just his fifth career game, en route to a remarkable 76 goal total, which ranks tops for a rookie ever. While an injury and a lockout held him back for his remaining time in Winnipeg, he still scored in buckets after a trade to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, collecting two more scoring titles in 1997-98 and 1998-99.

Selanne had incredible speed, giving him the nickname “Finnish Flash”. He used that speed to find shooting lanes that lesser skaters couldn’t gain access to, and he scored on many of those additional opportunities. He became the most prolific goal scorer in both Finland’s history as well as Olympic history.

Teemu continued his career in Anaheim, leaving for stops in Colorado and San Jose for a couple of years. His goal totals weren’t as gaudy as they were in his earlier years, but he was an offensive threat every time he was on the ice. The Finnish Flash was the scoring king of the mid-90’s, but was overtaken by a Russian Rocket by the name of Pavel Bure.