Welcome to another poll that I've decided to run annually. Among 38 skaters who appeared in at least half their teams' games in 2023-24 while averaging at least a point per game or better, guess how many hit that all-important threshold for the first time? By my count, it was eleven (Elias Pettersson, Alex Tuch, Tim Stutzle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Tage Thompson, Zach Hyman, Clayton Keller, Jeff Skinner, Roope Hintz, Travis Konecny, Brady Tkachuk). I suppose I shouldn't have been too surprised though, since the same percentage (29%) did so in 2021-22, when it was 13 of 44. How many of the 11 were choices when I ran this poll last year? Just five.

It's time to look into my crystal ball once again and try to land upon the 20 skaters who have yet to hit the point per game mark in their careers but, to me, stand the best chance of doing so in 2023-24. I've listed them below in alphabetical order and your task is to vote for any and all you believe will be at or above the point per game mark in 41+ games when 2023-24 is all said and done. To be clear, point per game refers to scoring rate, not that the player would need to have actually scored 82 points, unless he does happen to play in all 82 games. A link to cast your vote(s) will appear at the end of the column.

Connor Bedard – My take on Bedard is he will be feast or famine, by which I mean he'll either score at a 55-point pace or below, or a 90 point pace or above. Unlike last season's version of the Hawks, it won't a glorified AHL squad; however, Bedard won't exactly be surrounded by top tier talent in the primes of their careers. If he does still somehow manage to hit the mark, it will be a testament to his "boy among men" skill.

Tyler Bertuzzi – It should not be a surprise to see Bertuzzi here, as he had a stellar playoffs and should slot in the top six for the high octane Leafs. Also, he bet on himself in the form of a one year deal, giving him added motivation to succeed. Let's not forget that prior to last season Bertuzzi had seen his SOG and scoring rate increase in every campaign.

Jesper Bratt – He's now earning big bucks; but will big scoring come with it? Bratt has been a solid contributor for a few seasons now; however, he hasn't quite taken that next step. If he continues to play alongside Jack Hughes, who is a points magnet, one has to wonder if Bratt will hit the score sheet enough in 2023-24 to finish with a point total greater than his number of games played.

Cole Caufield – Playing under the spotlight in Montreal, Caufield looked like he was more than up to the task, potting plenty of goals and showing excellent chemistry with Nick Suzuki (more on him below). But Caufield is so dependent on goal scoring that he'd probably net to get to 50 in order for this to have a chance to happen. Guess what – he might have it in him to do so.

Dylan Cozens – Barring an injury or an epic implosion from Tage Thompson, Cozens will be the second line center for the Sabres. But given that the Sabres already boasted the third best offense in the NHL last season and should only be getting better, if any team could support two point per game centers Buffalo seems like they could be it. Plus, Cozens looks to have a safe spot on PP1, which should help him pad his scoring total.

Rasmus Dahlin – If it wasn't for finishing with ten points in his last 23 games, Dahlin would have already met the threshold. Given his skill and his team, it's tough to envision a universe where he doesn't make the list in 2023-24.

Alex DeBrincat – Although Detroit might rightfully be seen as a step down versus Ottawa when it comes to team offense, DeBrincat will be getting top line time at ES and on the PP. With the Wings having bolstered their team overall this offseason, plus DeBrincat likely being tethered to Dylan Larkin (more on him below also), he should have a good shot at point per game output.

Pierre-Luc Dubois – He's right at his breakout threshold and should have added motivation in that he's finally gone from Winnipeg. But is PLD capable of point per game numbers, especially on a balanced LA team which doesn't tend to play its stars as much as other squads?

Nikolaj Ehlers – He's come close more than once, and that was when he was stuck on PP2 and not a focal point of the offense. Most likely Winnipeg will be less explosive this season; but with Ehlers set to take on a much more prominent role, he could finally fulfill the promise he's always seemingly offered.

Adam Fox – The Rangers should be up tempo yet again this season, which is good news for Fox, who's their unquestioned source of blueline offense. The issue though is whether he will finally get those few extra goals and/or assists to put him over the point per game mark.

Nico Hischier – Barely missing the threshold in 2022-23, Hischier might be the heir apparent to Patrice Bergeron in terms of all-around talent. New Jersey is a team on the rise overall, plus Hischier likely will slot on PP1 and again play with Timo Meier (more on him below too) on what should be a second line that would rival many teams' first unit.

Quinn Hughes – Much of what I wrote about Fox applies equally to Hughes, as he has come close several times now. Maybe Vancouver improves enough to create a rising tide that helps lift his boat above point-per-game waters, or maybe Hughes has it in him to improve enough to make it happen himself?

Dylan Larkin – It's been weeks, but I'm still not sure the smile has left Larkin's face since Detroit landed DeBrincat. With Larkin having more than demonstrated his individual talent by coming close to the point per game mark several times, being flanked by the likes of DeBrincat could put him over the top.

Timo Meier – Yes, he had only 14 points in 21 games after arriving in New Jersey; but perhaps that was merely an adjustment period? With the money he's being paid, make no mistake the Devils will do everything in their power to help position Meier to be a point per gamer.

Nick Schmaltz – Of all the players on the list, Schmaltz is the one who most needs the asterisk of this not having to occur in 82 games, as he misses more than a dozen contests every season. But you know what else he does? Score, and score often. With the Coyotes looking like they're improved, he should be a primary beneficiary.

Nick Suzuki – My guess is if Caufield had stayed healthy for all of the 2022-23 campaign Suzuki would've already cleared the point per game mark, as he was an offensive dynamo in the first half and is still not yet close to his prime. Although the Habs didn't do much to improve this offseason, it's not clear that Suzuki needed anything beyond his favorite linemate alongside him for the bulk of the campaign in order for him to thrive.

Andrei Svechnikov – Another season, another sub-point per game output from Svech. He's still young and thus very much capable of improving; however, on a Canes team that's balanced and which added Michael Bunting at LW, Svech might fall short yet again for 2023-24.

Carter Verhaeghe – Is Verhaeghe the next Brad Marchand, who played well and kept improving and then, once finally on PP1, exploded? It's tough to bet against Verhaeghe, especially after his superb showing in the playoffs.

Pavel Zacha – With the retirement of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci likely to hang up his skates as well, it's clear that unless the Bs somehow do something between now and the regular season, Zacha will be their top line center. With the chemistry Zacha showed with Boston's star David Pastrnak, and Zacha at his 400-game larger player breakout threshold, ingredients seem to be there for Zacha to ignite.

Trevor Zegras – Has Anaheim taken a major leap this offseason? No, but Alex Killorn and a healthy Jamie Drysdale won't hurt. It's seemingly not a question of if but when Zegras will make a big jump in scoring, eclipsing the point per game mark in the process.

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Those are your 20 choices. You can vote for none, one, some, or all – it's however many you think will finish 2023-24 will at least point per game scoring in 41+ games. The link to cast your votes is here.

Questions for Mailbag Column

Next week's monthly mailbag is full; but it's never to early to send questions for the following installment. To get question(s) to me, you can either private message “rizzeedizzee” via the DobberHockey Forums or, instead, send an email to [email protected] with “Roos Mailbag” as the subject line.