[ad_1]
There is little doubt that the Montreal Canadiens are essentially the most iconic franchise within the hockey world. Having gained 24 Stanley Cups in its 114 years of existence helped the franchise attain its standing. Those Cups are because of the efforts of the star gamers together with the 51 Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) inductees who’ve worn “le Tricolore”.
This listing is the highest aim scorers in Canadiens historical past. An inventory spanning your complete 114 years, protecting your complete historical past of the NHL and National Hockey Association (NHA), who’ve been instrumental in constructing this franchise’s historic Championship pedigree.
1. Maurice Richard – 544 Goals
Maurice “Rocket” Richard is probably the preferred and inspirational participant to have ever worn the Bleu Blanc et Rouge. His profession lasted 18 seasons, all with the Canadiens, starting in 1942, the place he scored 544 targets in 978 video games. No different participant has scored extra targets in a Habs uniform. Richard can be the primary participant in NHL historical past to attain 50 targets in 50 video games, setting a normal for excellence in scoring that few have been in a position to match. He was additionally the primary NHL participant to attain 500 targets in a profession. His fiery fashion of play made him an icon to the Canadiens.
He was additionally an offensive chief within the playoffs as effectively, scoring 82 targets in 133 video games. One aim was the 1956 Cup-winning aim in Game 5 versus the Detroit Red Wings, profitable the primary of 5 consecutive Stanley Cups. He offered years of excellence together with eight Stanley Cups. His arrival to the Canadiens rekindled the love affair between the crew and the followers in Montreal. Richard and his intense fashion of play nonetheless encourage hockey followers to today.
Related: Maurie Richard – The Rocket’s Legacy Lives on within the NHL
If there may be nonetheless any remaining doubt as to why he heads this exalted listing, one solely has to have a look at the NHL Awards being handed out right this moment. The trophy for the league’s high aim scorer is called after Richard, one of many NHL’s best aim scorers of all-time — not only for the Habs, however for your complete NHL.
2. Guy Lafleur – 518 Goals
Guy Lafleur was drafted first general in 1971, marking one of many few occasions Canadiens followers have been happy with a season as that they had additionally simply gained the Cup that yr. He made the crew proper out of juniors and, regardless of placing up wonderful offensive numbers, struggled for his first three seasons to reside as much as the hype of being referred to as a phenom. However, in his fourth season he exploded offensively, placing up his first of six-straight 50-or-more aim seasons, proving why he was seen as the best Quebec-born sniper since Richard.
Related: Guy Lafleur – The Last of the Great Canadiens Skaters
Latest News & Highlights
Lafleur performed 14 seasons with the Canadiens, scoring 518 targets in 961 video games the place he gained the Hart Trophy twice, the Lester B Pearson Award (since renamed the Ted Lindsay award) thrice and the Art Ross twice. In the playoffs, he continued to shine, scoring 57 targets in 124 video games, together with the Cup-winning aim in Game 4 of the 1976 Final the place the Habs swept the “Broad Street Bullies” Philadelphia Flyers. It was a Final that showcased the new-school brawling fashion versus the Canadiens’ model of firewagon hockey.
Lafleur retired as one of many best gamers to put on the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge and is immortalized by a statue outdoors the Bell Center and together with his quantity 10 hanging within the rafters.
3. Jean Beliveau – 507 Goals
No listing of the best gamers in hockey will be full with out including the title Jean Beliveau. “Le Gros Bill” joined the Canadiens full time in 1953, a couple of years after the crew purchased your complete Quebec Senior League to buy his skilled rights. It took him no time to show they have been proper to take action. The winner of the Hart trophy in 1956 and 1964 and the Art Ross Trophy in 1956 performed his total 20-year profession in Montreal. He left a legacy because the gentlemanly skilled that gamers aspire to achieve to today. In his 20 seasons, he scored 507 targets in 1,125 video games, however the playoffs are the place his scoring was most felt.
Beliveau scored 79 targets in 162 playoff video games, serving to him win 10 Stanley Cups as a participant (he gained seven extra as an government for a complete of 17 Stanley Cup rings) however two targets will stand out greater than the others.
Related: Jean Beliveau – Miracle of Modesty
He scored the profitable aim within the 1960 Cup Final, sweeping the rival Toronto Maple Leafs and giving the Canadiens the excellence as the one crew in historical past to win the Cup 5 consecutive years. He performed the hero once more in 1965 when he scored the Cup-winning aim in Game 7 versus the Chicago Blackhawks.
4. Yvan Cournoyer – 428 Goals
Yvan Cournoyer, often called “the RoadRunner”, joined the Canadiens in 1963 and started his NHL profession as an influence play (PP) specialist as coach Toe Blake didn’t belief the defensive play of his undersized rookie. After a couple of seasons, Cournoyer earned his coach’s respect and started to get extra ice time to dazzle followers together with his pace and offensive acumen. He performed 16 seasons, all with Montreal, the place he scored 428 targets in 968 video games. He turned recognized for his skill to attain well timed targets within the playoffs as effectively, scoring 64 targets in 147 video games. One of these targets was the 1973 Cup-clinching aim, scored in Game 6 versus Chicago. During that 1973 playoff run, he scored 15 targets in 17 video games and gained the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
His profession was full of crew awards — specifically, 10 Stanley Cups — however his management and scoring have been integral to most of these wins. That is why in 1982 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and on Nov. 11, 2005, Cournoyer had his quantity 12 retired in a twin ceremony because the quantity 12 was retired that evening for each him and Dickie Moore.
5. Steve Shutt – 408 Goals
Steve Shutt joined the Canadiens in 1972. Over his 13 seasons with the crew, he scored 408 targets in 871 video games. He led the crew in scoring one season in 1976 when he scored a 60-goal marketing campaign, which made him the highest-scoring left winger in a single season in crew historical past. He performed on a line with Guy Lafleur via the Nineteen Seventies, forming a potent pairing that struck concern into the hearts of NHL goaltenders. Despite this, Shutt gained a status as somebody who solely scored leftovers or rubbish targets; nevertheless, Serge Savard disagrees with that assessment;
They speak lots about ‘garbage goals’, however it didn’t come by luck….The timing of Steve Shutt was unbelievable. He was all the time on the proper place, and that’s not luck. You might have ten rebounds and never be there, however Steve Shutt was there ten occasions. He was all the time there to place the puck within the web.
Serge Savard, Legends of Hockey video
6. Bernie Geoffrion – 371 Goals
Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion joined the crew in 1950 and went on to play 14 seasons carrying Le Tricolore. In that point he scored 371 targets in 766 video games. He was well-known for his love of scoring, a lot so he turned the self-styled “originator” of the slap shot.
That is what earned him the nickname “Boom Boom” from the sound his pictures made, the increase of the stick and the increase of the aim. Playing in an period with Maurice Richard, it’s straightforward to miss the offensive weapon Geoffrion was.
You may additionally like:
He was in a position to win the Art Ross Trophy in 1955 and once more in 1961. Also in 1961, he gained the Hart Trophy as league MVP. His skill to attain within the playoffs when it mattered most was additionally spectacular. His playoff scoring with Montreal ended with 56 targets in 127 video games, one among which was the profitable aim for the 1958 Stanley Cup, the third of 5 consecutive Cup wins. The solely NHL Dynasty to finish that feat in league historical past.
7. Jacques Lemaire – 366 Goals
Jacques Lemaire, an undersized middle recognized for his two-way talents, joined the Canadiens within the 1967-68 season, scoring 22 targets as a rookie and ending second in Calder Trophy voting to Black Hawks ahead Stan Mikita. Lemaire performed 12 NHL seasons, all with the Habs, scoring 366 targets 853 video games. He was a constant scoring menace, as he scored 20 or extra targets in all 12 of his NHL seasons. He was additionally integral to the crew’s success within the Nineteen Seventies as he centered the highest line attributable to his defensive abilities and offensive chemistry with Guy Lafleur.
Lemaire’s underrated offensive abilities have been on full show within the playoffs as he scored 61 targets in 145 video games — he’s additionally one among solely six gamers in NHL historical past to attain not one, however two Stanley Cup-winning targets. His first was the time beyond regulation winner in Game 4 because the Canadiens swept the Bruins to win the 1977 Cup. His second Cup-winning aim was in Game 5 of the 1979 Cup Final versus the New York Rangers.
8. Henri Richard – 358 Goals
His scoring wasn’t prolific or finished with aptitude, it was merely constant. You might all the time rely on Henri Richard to supply offence and at occasions when it was wanted most. He will all the time be often called the brother of Maurice Richard, however Henri didn’t get into the league due to his brother. Being the one participant to win the Stanley Cup 11 occasions in a taking part in profession proves that.
Over the course of his 20 seasons, all with Montreal, Henri scored 358 targets in 1,258 video games. Obviously his aim totals have been declining on the finish of his storied profession, however he all the time confirmed up whenever you wanted him. He scored the Cup-winning aim on the 2:20 mark of time beyond regulation within the hostile Olympia Stadium in Detroit to win the 1966 Cup. He performed the hero once more in 1971 when he scored the game-tying and Cup-winning targets in Game 7 versus Chicago. He retired in 1975 on the age of 38. Soon after, his quantity 16 was retired on Dec. 10, 1975, and raised to the rafters subsequent to his brother’s quantity 9. Then in 1979, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
9. Aurele Joliat – 269 Goals
Aurele “Little Giant” Joliat joined the Canadiens in 1922 as compensation for Saskatoon signing Newsy Lalonde away from the Habs. He made a right away influence that season, scoring 13 targets in 24 video games. Joliat, the 1934 Hart Trophy winner, ended up taking part in 16 seasons with the crew scoring 269 targets in 655 video games whereas forming a potent duo with Howie Morenz for a number of seasons. He performed an integral function in profitable three Stanley Cups with the crew earlier than he retired in 1938.
10. Mario Tremblay – 258 Goals
Before changing into a controversial determine as a coach in Montreal, Mario Tremblay was a revered function participant throughout the Canadiens’ dynasties of the Nineteen Seventies. Drafted twelfth general in 1974, he joined the crew halfway via the 1974-75 season, scoring 21 targets as a rookie. On a lesser crew, he could have been the highest offensive menace; nevertheless, on a crew full of HHOF gamers comparable to Lafleur, Shutt and Cournoyer, Tremblay’s function was as secondary scoring.
Tremblay’s function can’t be underestimated for its significance to crew success. In his 12 seasons, all in Montreal, he scored 258 targets in 852 video games, and his scoring within the playoffs was additionally a key element to crew success. He scored 20 targets in 101 playoff video games on his technique to 4 Stanley Cups. One of his 20 targets gained the Habs the Cup in Game 5 of the 1978 Stanley Cup Final versus the rival Boston Bruins.
11. Howie Morenz – 257 Goals
Howie Morenz was the famous person of the NHL in his day. He was the primary participant in NHL historical past to turn into a three-time Hart Trophy winner, profitable the award in 1928, 1931 and 1932. Over his two excursions with the crew, he performed 12 seasons for Montreal, scoring 257 targets in 460 video games.
Related: Howie Morenz – Hockey Royalty
He was such an offensive power that for seven seasons between 1926 to 1932, he led the Canadiens in targets and factors. His scoring prowess wasn’t reserved for the common season both as he was the creator of each the 1924 and 1930 Cup-winning targets.
He performed his final recreation on Jan. 28, 1937, when he suffered a tragic accident by which he broke his leg. Three weeks later, after being instructed he wouldn’t have the ability to play hockey once more, he handed away from a coronary embolism. His funeral, held on March 11, 1937, was the crew’s first “state” funeral held within the Montreal Forum, permitting hundreds of followers to pay tribute to an incredible participant. His quantity seven was retired on Nov. 2, 1937 — the primary quantity the Canadiens retired in franchise historical past.
12. Dickie Moore – 254 Goals
Dickie Moore joined the Canadiens in 1951. He shortly moved his means up the lineup and was a daily fixture on the left wing in his 12 seasons in Montreal. He scored 254 targets in 654 video games for the Habs, even main the crew in targets as soon as. Moore additionally gained back-to-back Art Ross Trophies because the league’s main scorer in 1958 and 1959. Over his time in Montreal, Moore added 38 targets in 112 playoff video games, profitable six Stanley Cups — one among his 38 targets was the Cup-clinching aim in 1957.
13. Claude Provost – 254 Goals
Provost, a proper winger, joined the crew within the 1955-56 season, scoring 13 targets in his rookie season. He performed his total 15-year NHL profession with Montreal, scoring 254 targets in 1,005 video games.
The winner of the 1969 Masterton Trophy, Provost gained 9 Stanley Cups in his profession and holds the distinctive distinction of being the one particular person in NHL historical past to have gained eight or extra Stanley Cups and never be within the Hockey Hall of Fame.
14. Mats Naslund – 243 Goals
Mats Naslund, affectionately often called “le Petit Viking”, performed eight seasons with the Canadiens. Drafted by the crew in 1979, he joined them in 1982, the place he scored 71 factors in 76 video games as a rookie, 26 of them targets. By his third NHL season in 1984, he had turn into the crew’s high aim scorer with 42.
He ultimately led the crew in targets on three events. In his eight NHL seasons with Montreal, Naslund scored 243 targets in 617 video games. He additionally holds the excellence to be the final Canadiens’ participant to attain 100 or extra factors in a season, final doing so in 1986.
15. Bob Gainey – 239 Goals
Drafted eighth general in 1973, Bob Gainey joined the Habs full time in 1973. He was not finest recognized for his offensive abilities — fairly the opposite, he was recognized for his elegant defensive acumen. So a lot in order that NHL lore has it that the Selke Trophy, awarded to one of the best defensive ahead, was created attributable to Gainey being the primary defensive ahead specialist.
He was awarded the primary Selke and the next three, making him and Patrice Bergeron the one two forwards to win it 4 occasions. Before Gainey retired in 1989, scoring 239 targets in 1,160 video games, he additionally gained 5 Stanley Cups. He was inducted to the HHOF in 1992 and noticed his quantity 23 retired to the rafters in Montreal on Feb. 23, 2008.
16. Toe Blake – 235 Goals
Toe Blake, a Coniston, ON native, performed 14 NHL seasons — 13 with the Canadiens the place he scored 235 targets in 577 video games. In that point, he patrolled the left wing of the Canadiens’ high line, together with time with one of the vital well-known strains ever fashioned in NHL historical past, the Punch Line. This line consisted of Blake, Elmer Lach and Maurice Richard and terrorized NHL goaltenders throughout the Forties. Blake additionally led the Canadiens in targets scored thrice in his 13 seasons.
In the playoffs, he was in a position to rating key targets with 25 targets in 57 playoff video games. Two of these targets have been the Stanley Cup-clinching targets in 1944 and 1946, cementing his status as a clutch aim scorer in Canadiens’ lore.
17. Tomas Plekanec – 233 Goals
The Czech-born middle, Tomas Plekanec was drafted within the third spherical of the 2001 NHL Draft. He joined the Canadiens full-time within the 2005-06 season. Soon after, he turned the crew’s high two-way middle, dealing with off towards the opposition’s high forwards.
That being stated, his offence wasn’t missing both as he offered seven seasons of 20 targets or extra. He accomplished his 15 NHL seasons nearly completely with the Canadiens, excluding that unlucky few months he performed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Plekanec offered Canadiens followers 233 targets in 984 video games. After returning to Montreal, he retired quickly after he performed his 1,000th NHL recreation.
18. Max Pacioretty – 226 Goals
Max Pacioretty was drafted within the first spherical in 2007 from the draft choose obtained within the Craig Rivet commerce to San Jose Sharks. After one season within the NCAA, Pacioretty joined the skilled ranks and bounced between Montreal and their AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs. This was till the notorious Zdeno Chara hit on March 8, 2011, the place Pacioretty suffered a fractured vertebrae and a extreme concussion. Once recovered, he gained the Masterton Trophy and really hit his full stride, by no means returning to the AHL. He then produced 5 seasons the place he scored 30 or extra targets for the Habs.
Pacioretty was the primary sniper drafted and developed by the crew that followers had seen in over a decade. Over the course of his 10 seasons in Montreal, he scored 226 targets in 626 video games and led the crew in targets scored 5 occasions. He was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018 in return for Tomas Tatar and Nick Suzuki.
19. Stephane Richer – 225 Goals
Stephane Richer, a second-round choose of the Canadiens within the legendary 1984 Draft, joined the Habs in time for the 1985-86 season and a Stanley Cup. He scored 21 targets his rookie season, and, over the course of his 9 seasons in Montreal, scored 225 targets in 490 video games performed.
He was a two-time, 50-goal scorer with the crew and holds the excellence as being the final participant to attain 50 targets in a Habs uniform, a feat he accomplished within the 1989-90 season. He was traded to the New Jersey Devils in 1991 in return for Kirk Mueller.
20. Pete Mahovlich – 223 Goals
Pete Mahovlich was the second participant ever drafted (by Detroit) within the NHL newbie draft. He was later traded to Montreal from Detroit in change for Garry Monahan, coincidentally, the primary participant ever chosen within the NHL newbie draft.
Mahovlich performed 9 seasons in a Canadiens uniform, scoring 223 targets in 580 video games. He didn’t possess the scoring contact his older brother Frank had, however he was in a position to rating a number of 30-or-more aim seasons.
[ad_2]
Source link
