The Morning Take: Bunting or Bertuzzi — Which Late-Bloomer Could Score 50 Goals Next Year?

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It took Zach Hyman nine seasons and more than 500 career games before he finally broke out and became a first-time 50-goal scorer.

By the time it happened, he was 31 years old.

Not since a 32-year-old Joe Mullen scored 51 goals in 1988-89 has a player this waited this long to finally crack the 50 Club. Which raises the question: who could be the NHL’s next late-bloomer?

Here are five candidates:

Michael Bunting, Pittsburgh

The 28-year-old, who succeeded Hyman on Toronto’s top line for two seasons, scored back-to-back 23-goal seasons alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. But he had just 13 goals and 26 points in Carolina, before getting dealt to Pittsburgh (thanks to former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas) in exchange for Jake Guentzel at the trade deadline. That’s significant. In Pittsburgh, Bunting has found himself on a line with Sidney Crosby. And while Crosby is not the same player who has twice won the Art Ross Trophy, he has scored 76 points 71 games this year. If he can keep it up, maybe Bunting can score 30 — or even a 40 — goals next season.

Tyler Bertuzzi, Toronto

Bertuzzi signed with the Leafs to essentially fill the void created by Bunting. But it hasn’t exactly worked out that way. A 30-goal scorer with the Red Wings, Bertuzzi has bounced around throughout the lineup, which is probably why he only has 16 goals this season. However, he has lately found a home on the top line next to Matthews, where he has three goals in his past four games. As a pending UFA, a lot will depend on where he signs next year. But if he returns to Toronto, don’t be surprised if he scores 40 — especially if he gets an extended look on the top line.

Carter Verhaeghe, Florida

The 28-year-old had a breakout year with the Panthers last season, when he scored 42 goals. This year, he’s taken a backseat to 50-goal scorer Sam Reinhart. But Verhaeghe still has 33 goals in 72 games. With Reinhart potentially on his way out as a UFA, Verhaeghe could get even more looks. If so, 50 goals might not be out of reach.

Valeri Nichushkin, Colorado

Despite playing in just 48 games this season, Nichushkin has 26 goals. That’s a 44-goal pace for the 10th-overall pick in 2013. It helps that Nichushkin plays on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. But as we saw when the Avalanche won the Cup in 2022, where Nichushkin scored nine goals and 15 points in 20 games, the 6-foot-4 power forward is an unstoppable force when he’s on his game. In other words, the 28-year-old is a full season away from potentially hitting 50 goals. That is, as long as he doesn’t change linemates.

Blake Coleman, Calgary

A grinder with speed, Coleman has spent most of his career on the third line — and his stats show it. But this year has been different. Coleman has been used mostly in a second-line role alongside Mikael Backlund and Andrew Mangiapane. And with a career-high 28 goals and 51 points in 71 games, he has made the most of it. Could the 32-year-old build upon those numbers? That might depend on what Calgary does in the off-season and specifically whether he loses his spot in the lineup.

The Starting Five

1) ‘I Guess So’: Evander Kane Doesn’t Extinguish Swirling Rumors: Evander Kane spoke to the media after practice before the Edmonton Oilers play against the Winnipeg Jets.

2) ‘They’ve Got To Be The Example’: Sheldon Keefe Calls Out John Tavares and the Rest of the Maple Leafs Core Players Following Loss to Devils: Keefe called out the experienced players for their “immature play” in letting their game slip away against a talented offensive team.

3) Penguins Forward Likely Out for Season: The Pittsburgh Penguins will likely not see a depth forward return to the lineup this season.

4) Former Teammate Of Elvis Merzlikins Doesn’t Believe He’s a “Team Player”: Elvis Merzlikins was drafted 76th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

5) Notable Bruins Forward Facing Potential Scratch: This Bruins forward could be sitting against the Panthers.