After last week’s dive into potential first-time 40-goal scorers, you probably saw this one coming, the 50-goal club is up next. Only a small slice of the league ever gets there. So, let's be clear: none of the 10 names below have hit that mark yet, but each of them has a chance. Not all will get to 50, some have been knocking for a while, others are heating up at the right time, and a few are dart throws. However, this list is not about guarantees, it is always about conversation starters, eyebrow raisers, and maybe a little fantasy gold if you are paying attention.

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10. Artemi Panarin – New York Rangers

Panarin hit 49 goals in 2023, he followed that up with 37 goals last season on a solid 15.7% shooting and three shots per game – good numbers, just not quite 50-goal territory. His advanced metrics are strong, showing he drives play and creates quality chances. His playmaking remains elite and he still logs big minutes with heavy PP usage, but his current shot volume and efficiency suggest he is more likely to land short of the 50-goal club. At this stage of his career, Panarin's more surgical than explosive, so unless he decides to shoot a bit more and pass a bit less, 50 goals is a feat.

9. Jason Robertson – Dallas Stars

Jason Robertson has the hands and instincts, no question, but his 50-goal case is slipping. After hitting 46 in 2022, he has dropped into the 28–35 range, with shot volume falling from nearly four per game to 2.7. Now throw in Mikko Rantanen, another 50-goal scorer, who could cut into high-danger chances. The skill is still elite, but fewer shots and less usage mean the path to 50 is steeper. Unless he starts firing again and the Stars get back to controlling play, it feels like wishful thinking more than a real bet, but he cannot be counted out.

8. Filip Forsberg – Nashville Predators

Forsberg came just one shy of Panarin's 49-goal season, hitting 48 in 2023. While playing on a Nashville team last season that was all over the place he still logged heavy minutes, strong possession numbers, and top usage at both even strength and on the power play. The challenge now is opportunity. With Stamkos and Marchessault in the fold for a full season, both high-volume shooters, Forsberg's slice of the offensive pie might shrink. He is still in a prime spot to produce and has the finishing tools, but cracking 50 will take a bump in efficiency and a more dynamic Preds offense. As it stands, 50 feels more like a best-case outcome than a safe bet.

7. Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning

Kucherov has done just about everything offensively, except hit 50 goals. He has averaged 38 per 82 games over the past three seasons with elite efficiency (13–14% S%) on 3.5 shots a night. The volume is solid, and his power play usage is massive, but he is still more setup artist than finisher. With Point and Guentzel riding shotgun, both capable scorers, Kucherov often defers. For him to crack 50, he would need to either shoot more, risking fewer touches for his linemates, or score more off the rush, but if you are going to bet on someone to hit that mark, Kucherov could be that guy.

6. Jack Eichel – Vegas Golden Knights

Eichel is in his prime, and Mitch Marner's arrival might be the push he needs to shift from playmaker to finisher. The volume is there, but it is also about efficiency. His career shooting percentage sits at 10.9%, so to hit 50 goals, he will need either a full 82 games at that shot pace or a bump to the 14–15% range. He has hit 36 before, on a 15.9% clip in Buffalo. This past season he had 28 goals and 94 points with a 70% IPP, showing he is still wired to create. However, with Marner feeding him, Eichel might finally lean into finishing.

5. William Nylander – Toronto Maple Leafs

Nylander has been knocking on the door with 42-goal averages over his last three full seasons, including a 45-goal campaign this past season where he shot a career-high 17.7%. That kind of efficiency is impressive, but tough to repeat. His usage is strong: over 19 minutes a night and a big role on Toronto's lethal power play, where he potted 12 goals last year. The real barrier? His 5v5 scoring is not quite as sharp, and his shot volume has not hit the elite tier. On a Leafs squad without Marner, there is a possibility for more scoring chances to come Nylander's way.

4. Jack Hughes – New Jersey Devils

Hughes is firing at an elite clip, averaging over four shots per game for the past three seasons (336, 274, 229 SOG). His 10.6 shots/60 last year put him top-10 league-wide, exactly where you want your 50-goal hopeful hanging out. The catch? Well obviously, his shooting metrics will need to see an uptick, but the real gap is on the power play where he has only put up six to nine goals per season, while true 50-goal guys are usually banking 15+. Oh, there is one other tiny issue: Health. Hughes has not played a full 82-game season yet. If he is hitting 50, he probably needs at least 78 healthy games and a heater.

3. Kyle Connor – Winnipeg Jets

Connor remains one of the most reliable snipers in the league. He flirted with a near 50 goal performance before with 47 goals in 2021, and continues to drive offense on a top line built around his strengths. He handles a ton of zone entries, shoots often, and his PPIPP sits at a solid 63.6%. His volume typically lands in the 260–275 shot range, just shy of the 300+ mark that often unlocks a 50-goal year. He has cleared 30 goals every full season since 2017, with a steady 15% shooting clip. Coming off a 97-point season with the same efficiency numbers suggests there is no real regression coming.

2. Tage Thompson – Buffalo Sabres

Tage Thompson has already shown he can flirt with 50 goals, now the question is whether he can finally seal the deal. He bounced back strong last season with 44 goals in 76 games (47-goal pace) on an 18.2% shooting clip. That is high, sure, but not outrageous given his release and shot selection. The year before? Just 29 goals with similar volume, dragged down by an 11.8% S%. The power play is where he can really tip the scales, he is still getting solid minutes there, and a few more conversions could push him over the top. The only real hurdle is Buffalo's inconsistency but if things click, he has a real shot.

1. Kirill Kaprizov – Minnesota Wild

Kaprizov is absolutely a top-tier candidate to hit the 50-goal mark and there is a real case to be made that it just a matter of health at this point. He has put up 47, 40, and 46 goals over the past three full seasons, averaging a perfect 50-goal pace over 82 games. Last year? He was tracking for 112 points and 50 goals if not for the time missed. He is producing everything you want: elite shot, heavy usage, power play time, high involvement, and strong underlying metrics. Honestly, it's just about availability now. If he plays 75+ games and maintains even his current efficiency, he likely breaks 50.

Thanks for reading! See you next week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @Punters_hockey. If you have any questions about your team or a trade? My DMs are always open, happy to help!