Record Breakers: Helpers

Today we continue our look at the Jets 1.0 / Jets 2.0 / Thrashers record books. I have already taken a look at historical goal scorers and how the offensive contributions of Big Buff compare to others that we’ve seen. Today we take a look at helpers. Winnipeg fans grew to love Blake Wheeler’s set-up abilities, but how does he compare to franchise greats?

Let’s take a look:

Player	From	To	Pos	GP	A	A/GM
Ilya Kovalchuk	2002	2010	LW	594	287	0.48
Vyacheslav Kozlov	2003	2010	RW/C/LW	537	271	0.5
Tobias Enstrom	2008	2012	D	380	171	0.45
Marian Hossa	2006	2008	RW	222	140	0.63
Marc Savard	2003	2006	C	184	133	0.72
Patrik Stefan	2000	2006	C	414	118	0.29
Bryan Little	2008	2012	RW/C	356	103	0.29
Dany Heatley	2002	2004	RW	190	101	0.53
Todd White	2008	2010	C	221	93	0.42
Ray Ferraro	2000	2002	C	223	91	0.41
Nik Antropov	2010	2012	C	221	88	0.4
Frantisek Kaberle	2000	2004	D	272	82	0.3
Ron Hainsey	2009	2012	D	299	80	0.27
Rich Peverley	2009	2011	C	180	75	0.42
Yannick Tremblay	2000	2004	D	300	74	0.25
Dustin Byfuglien	2011	2012	D	147	74	0.5

Notes Worth Noting:

• · Once again, Ilya Kovalchuk sits at the top of the list. Kovi isn’t known as a big time set up man and that can be seen in the assists per game column, but nobody in franchise history has combined the offensive ability and length of tenure to take the top spot from him.
• · Vyacheslav Kozlov was a big time offensive producer. His contributions to the franchise were huge. The relocation probably hurts his legacy more than it does to any player. Some ATL fans believe his number would have been retired if the franchise stayed in Altanta. Not sure that happens here.
• · Tobias Enstrom has been a big time player for the franchise. He has already climbed to third in all-time assists and his six year extension should give him plenty of opportunity to move up the ranks. Unless he struggles with injuries, I expect to see him as the franchise assist leader within the next four years. If he remains healthy, he could do it in as few as three seasons.
• · Bryan Little ranks 7^th in franchise history, but he is clearly not a great set up man. Little generates assists at similar rates to some defensemen and Patrik Stefan. That just isn’t enough for a top line centre IMO.
• · Blake Wheeler is still relatively new to the team, so he doesn’t appear on this list, but he will before long. Blake’s 57 assists already have him ranked 23^rd in franchise history. His .55 assists per game is good for 3^rd in franchise history (behind Savard and Hossa), if he continues to put up 40+ assists a season, Blake will be flying into the top ten sooner rather than later.
• · Ron Hainsey didn’t do much offensively last season, but his 80 assists rank him among the most productive D men in franchise history. His $3 Million salary for this season isn’t out of line.
• · Dustin Byfuglien has been racking up huge point totals in his two seasons with the team. His .5 assists per game are impressive numbers for a defenseman. He may be able to jump into the top 10 this season.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->

Now let’s take a look at the top seasons in franchise history:

Player	Season	Age	Pos	GP	A	A/GM
Marc Savard	2005-06	28	C	82	69	0.84
Marian Hossa	2006-07	28	RW	82	57	0.7
Marian Hossa	2005-06	27	RW	80	53	0.66
Vyacheslav Kozlov	2006-07	34	LW	81	52	0.64
Todd White	2008-09	33	C	82	51	0.62
Vyacheslav Kozlov	2008-09	36	LW	82	50	0.61
Vyacheslav Kozlov	2002-03	30	RW	79	49	0.62
Ilya Kovalchuk	2008-09	25	LW	79	48	0.61
Dany Heatley	2002-03	22	RW	77	48	0.62
Ray Ferraro	2000-01	36	C	81	47	0.58
Blake Wheeler	2011-12	25	RW	80	47	0.59
Ilya Kovalchuk	2005-06	22	LW	78	46	0.59
Ilya Kovalchuk	2003-04	20	LW	81	46	0.57
Vyacheslav Kozlov	2005-06	33	LW	82	46	0.56
Andrew Brunette	2000-01	27	LW	77	44	0.57
Tobias Enstrom	2009-10	25	D	82	44	0.54
Nik Antropov	2009-10	29	C	76	43	0.57
Dany Heatley	2001-02	21	RW	82	41	0.5
Dustin Byfuglien	2011-12	26	D	66	41	0.62
Tobias Enstrom	2010-11	26	D	72	41	0.57

Notes Worth Noting:

• · I extended this table a little farther than normal so we can see where our D men slot in. It shouldn’t be a major surprise to see Buff and Toby near the top. They are extremely productive players.
• · To nobody’s surprise, Kozlov and Kovalchuk were near the top.
• · On the other hand, Todd White sitting 5th might surprise a few people.
• · Marc Savard and Marian Hossa are / were very good at hockey.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->

…and here is the all-time Jets record list:

Player	From	To	Pos	GP	A	A/GM
Thomas Steen	1982	1995	C	950	553	0.58
Dale Hawerchuk	1982	1990	C	713	550	0.77
Ulf Nilsson	1975	1978	C	300	344	1.15
Bobby Hull	1973	1980	LW	429	341	0.79
Paul MacLean	1982	1988	RW	527	270	0.51
Fredrik Olausson	1987	1994	D	496	249	0.5
Dave Babych	1981	1986	D	390	248	0.64
Willy Lindstrom	1976	1983	LW/RW	604	229	0.38
Laurie Boschman	1983	1990	C	526	227	0.43
Randy Carlyle	1984	1993	D	564	226	0.4
Peter Sullivan	1976	1981	C	439	224	0.51
Anders Hedberg	1975	1978	RW	286	222	0.78
Teppo Numminen	1989	1996	D	547	212	0.39
Morris Lukowich	1979	1979	LW	511	211	0.41
Doug Smail	1981	1991	LW/RW	691	208	0.3
Dave Ellett	1985	1991	D	475	204	0.43
Lars-Erik Sjoberg	1975	1980	D	374	196	0.52
Phil Housley	1991	1993	D	232	195	0.84
Brian Mullen	1983	1987	LW	372	172	0.46
Alex Zhamnov	1993	1996	C	235	164	0.7

Notes Worth Noting:

• · Some big numbers, especially at the top end. In this day and age it will likely take a 12+ year career for anybody to challenge these records. I hope we are lucky enough to watch stars with that kind of success / tenure.
• · Defensively, it wouldn’t be a shock if Toby or Buff eventually pushed towards the Carlyle, Olausson and Babych totals.
• · There are a number of assists per game marks that will likely never be matched, unless the league eventually makes the nets bigger.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->

Now the top seasons of all time:

Player	Season	Age	Pos	GP	A	A/GM
Ulf Nilsson	1974-75	24	C	78	94	1.21
Ulf Nilsson	1977-78	27	C	73	89	1.22
Ulf Nilsson	1976-77	26	C	71	85	1.20
Phil Housley	1992-93	28	D	80	79	0.99
Dale Hawerchuk	1984-85	21	C	80	77	0.96
Dale Hawerchuk	1987-88	24	C	80	77	0.96
Ulf Nilsson	1975-76	25	C	78	76	0.97
Bobby Hull	1977-78	39	LW	77	71	0.92
Bobby Hull	1975-76	37	LW	80	70	0.88
Kent Nilsson	1978-79	22	C	78	68	0.87
Terry Ruskowski	1978-79	24	C	75	66	0.88
Bobby Hull	1974-75	36	LW	78	65	0.83
Kent Nilsson	1977-78	21	C	80	65	0.81
Dale Hawerchuk	1983-84	20	C	80	65	0.81
Norm Beaudin	1972-73	31	RW	78	65	0.83
Phil Housley	1991-92	27	D	74	63	0.85
Anders Hedberg	1976-77	25	RW	68	61	0.90
Thomas Steen	1988-89	28	C	80	61	0.76
Dave Babych	1982-83	21	D	79	61	0.77
Paul MacLean	1984-85	26	RW	79	60	0.76

Notes Worth Noting:

• · Do they still make Nilssons? If they do, I want one.
• · Ducky was pretty good eh?
• · Bobby Hull was known for his goal scoring, but he put up some big assist totals too.
• · Only two players across the entire NHL topped 60 assists this year (Giroux / H. Sedin).

<!--[if !supportLists]-->

Final thoughts:

Outside of Blake Wheeler, the current Jets team doesn’t have any big time set up men at the forward positions, but Toby and Buff are among the best of the best from the back end. As much as people may criticize the defensive lapses they have seen from our defensive group, Toby and Buff are instrumental in driving the team’s offence and the Jets need them in that role. I mean, the plays have to start somewhere.