Canada not producing NHL superstars at nearly the same rate that it once did

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Mike Armenti
August 20, 2023 (12:06)

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The National Hockey League's geographical diversity is actually pretty incredible when you stop and think about it. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, a large contingent of the league was comprised of Canadian and American-born players, but if we fast forward to 2023 and there are players from all over the globe from France to the Netherlands to Slovenia to Australia and everywhere in between.

A young man who goes by Nathan Graviteh, who produces content for the Steve Dangle Podcast Network, recently put out a tweet which highlighted how diverse the National Hockey League is by comparing the top-ten point scorers from 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, 2012 and 2023.

In 1973, the entire top-ten was comprised of Canadian players, led by Phil Esposito and followed by Bobby Clarke in second and Bobby Orr in third.

Now, in 2023, seven different nationalities make up the top-ten point scorers from the past season, which begs the question; is it because Canadian developmental programs are losing steam? Or is it because other developmental programs around the world are catching up?

2022-23 top-ten point scorers

1) Connor McDavid - Canada
2) Leon Draisaitl - Germany
3) David Pastrnak - Czechia
4) Nikita Kucherov - Russia
5) Nathan MacKinnon - Canada
6) Jason Robertson - United States
7) Matthew Tkachuk - United States
8) Mikko Rantanen - Finland
9) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Canada
10) Elias Pettersson - Sweden

The NHL has come a long way in some aspects, but stands to improve in other aspects as well. As diverse as the game currently is, I believe that we're only scratching the surface of what could be possible with the right people in the right places. Unfortunately, I think we can all agree that there are limits to how high the NHL can go with Gary Bettman as Commissioner, so until that changes, there will certainly be plenty of obstacles in the way that make rapid progression a challenge.

Birthplaces, top ten NHL players in scoring:
1973 ----> 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
1983 ----> 🇨🇦 🇸🇰🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇸🇪
1993 ----> 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇨🇦🇫🇮🇨🇦🇷🇺🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
2003 ----> 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇨🇦🇨🇿🇨🇦🇸🇰🇨🇦🇨🇦🇩🇪🇸🇰
2012 ----> 🇷🇺🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇷🇺🇺🇸🇨🇦🇨🇦🇸🇪🇨🇿
2023 ----> 🇨🇦🇩🇪🇨🇿🇷🇺🇨🇦🇺🇸🇺🇸🇫🇮🇨🇦🇸🇪

What a difference 50 years makes.� Nathan "Grav" (@NathanGraviteh) August 18, 2023

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

Ex-Islanders GM shares the truth about the John Tavares free agency turmoil in 2018

Line brawl breaks out during University Hockey Game

Former player shares illegal activity John Tortorella encouraged player to take part in to break a slump

POLL
AOUT 20 \| 268 ANSWERS Canada not producing NHL superstars at nearly the same rate that it once did Who do you think will lead the NHL in points next season?
Connor McDavid	188	70.1 %
Leon Draisaitl	19	7.1 %
David Pastrnak	9	3.4 %
Other	52	19.4 %
List of polls

Canada not producing NHL superstars at nearly the same rate that it once did

Who do you think will lead the NHL in points next season?