Oldest Players With 100 Points & Getzlaf's Hall of Fame Credentials
Welcome to the THW Hockey History Substack newsletter, with all the best from our extensive archives.
In today’s edition, we have a couple of “Today in Hockey History” posts, the oldest players with 100-point seasons, why Ryan Getzlaf deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, revisiting the Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson trade, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Today in Hockey History: Nov. 15
This date in NHL history was especially good for players named Bobby. It has also provided many memorable moments all across the state of New York and in the City of Brotherly Love. So, let’s take our daily trip back in time and revisit all the best memories from Nov. 15.
Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson Trade Revisited
It was seven years ago that then-Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli traded left winger Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for blueliner Adam Larsson, and perspectives have changed more than a couple of times since the deal was announced on June 29, 2016. Now going into an offseason where both are under contract, it’s still up for debate who got the better of the transaction.
Oldest Players with 100-Point Seasons
In general, those who score 100 points are in or near their peak years. A University of British Columbia study found that forwards peak at 28 but are within 90 percent of their peaks until age 32. Afterward, a significant decline occurs that continues as their careers progress.
In 2022-23, only Karlsson was 32 or older and hit the century mark. In 2009-10, three of four were younger than their peak ages with only 29-year-old Henrik Sedin beyond his peak. Yet he was still in his 20s. Finally, for the 1981-82 season, Marcel Dionne was the only player past his peak of the 13. This article is about players beyond their peaks who have scored 100-plus points in a season.
These are the 10 oldest players to achieve said feat and the facts that made their seasons monumental.
Today in Hockey History: Nov. 14
This date in NHL history saw a son join his father in the 1,000-point club. There were also plenty of offensive milestones reached while a handful of goaltenders did their thing between the pipes. In addition to being a memorable date in Vancouver, the youngest coach in NHL history was hired. The THW time machine is warmed up and ready to take us back through the years to relive all the best from this date.
Anaheim Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf: Hall of Fame Worthy?
As one of the younger franchises in the NHL, the Anaheim Ducks aren’t blessed with a lot of representation in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Currently, only seven players who have ever worn a Ducks uniform have gone on to be enshrined. Of those seven, only Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne are primarily remembered for their tenure in Anaheim.
This could change in the coming years, however. With Ryan Getzlaf announcing his retirement at the end of this season, another Anaheim legend may join them in due time. Getzlaf’s case for the Hockey Hall of Fame will be rife with debate. Even though he’s re-written the franchise record book in Anaheim, Getzlaf’s counting stats in the NHL leave a little to be desired compared to other Hall of Famers. However, his play on the international stage and his impact in a non-traditional market like Anaheim makes a strong argument for his enshrinement.
Pittsburgh Penguins Top Rivalries of the Crosby Era
Hockey rivalries have been around since the NHL was founded 1917. The Pittsburgh Penguins have had rivals since they joined the league in 1967 with the six-team expansion. Among the trash talk, bitter battles and playoff competition, the following teams can be considered the Penguins’ fiercest rivals of the Sidney Crosby era.