Dallas Stars forward Michael Ryder, left, and Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff are among those players with major career milestones on the horizon in the 2012-13 season.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Hockey fans are well aware of the current labour situation in the NHL.
Though
the season's start date remains uncertain, what is certain is that
whenever the puck is finally dropped, many players will reach
significant milestones shortly thereafter.
Here are the players to watch with a sampling of their work.
Hockey fans are well aware of the current labour situation in the NHL.
Though the season's start date remains uncertain, what is for sure is that whenever the puck is finally dropped, many players will be on the cusp of reaching significant milestones.
Here are the players to watch with a sampling of their work.
Miikka Kiprusoff
It won't take long for Kiprusoff to hit a career mark or two. His first game of the upcoming season will be No. 600. If the Calgary Flames goalie loses, it will also mark his 200th career defeat. With 44 shutouts, the Finnish all-star is just six away from 50, which would move him into the top-25 all-time in that category.
Michael Ryder
The Dallas Stars forward from Newfoundland will leave his mark in the NHL this season with multiple major career milestones upcoming. Ryder is just three away from 200 goals, one shy of 200 assists and four from 400 points in his career.
Adrian Aucoin
It's been a few years since Aucoin had a respectable offensive season, but at age 39 and on a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, this could be his last. The former Vancouver and Calgary defenceman needs 26 assists for 300, five points for 400 and 23 penalty minutes for 800 in his career.
Alex Tanguay
The Calgary Flames veteran playmaker, if healthy, will reach two important milestones this year. Tanguay is only 18 games from reaching 1000 and needs three more assists to get to 500 total.
Chris Pronger
Love him or hate him, Pronger is a legendary NHL defenceman. If he's healthy enough to play this year, the Flyers blue-liner will reach 700 points when he records his next two. In doing so, Pronger will become just the 26th defenceman ever to reach that milestone. He's also nine assists from No. 550.
Shea Weber
The man with the big shot and the caveman beard should be looking forward to the upcoming NHL season for reasons other than financial. The Nashville Predators captain will almost certainly reach 500 games played (480), 100 goals (99), 200 assists (164) and 300 points (263).
Other notables Goals: All of Alex Semin (197), Mike Cammalleri (197), Mike Fisher (196) and Matt Cullen (195) should be able to reach the 200-goal plateau this season.
Assists: Simon Gagne needs two for 300, while Jarret Stoll (198), Dustin Brown (196), David Krejci (195) and Nathan Horton (195) are just shy of the 200 mark.
Points: The 400-point club could have another new member aside from Ryder and Aucoin, as Derek Morris currently sits at 396 points. Tuomo Ruutu also needs one point for 300.
Wins: After four wins, veteran netminder Jean-Sebastian Giguere will become the 46th goalie to reach 250 in his career. Meanwhile, Sharks goalie Antti Niemi needs the same number of wins for 100 and Bruins new starting goalie Tuukka Rask is three away from No. 50.
Shutouts: Newest Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun needs two shutouts for 50, while Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin needs three more than Vokoun.
Jordan ShifmanJordan Shifman joined CBC Sports in 2007 and is an associate producer. The Carleton University journalism graduate hosts CBCSports.ca's Fan's Corner as well as live chats during Hockey Night in Canada games. Jordan is a fantasy sports writer who works on social media and contests like Hockeyville.
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Dallas Stars forward Michael Ryder, left, and Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff are among those players with major career milestones on the horizon in the 2012-13 season.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Jordan Shifman
Jordan Shifman joined CBC Sports in 2007 and is an associate producer. The Carleton University journalism graduate hosts CBCSports.ca's Fan's Corner as well as live chats during Hockey Night in Canada games. Jordan is a fantasy sports writer who works on social media and contests like Hockeyville.
