I really believe that the era of goal scorers like Vanek are fading quickly. Defensemen are learning how to deal with players like Vanek and goalies are not giving up as many meaty rebounds. It's getting harder and harder to be in front of the net to deflect shots or get that fat rebound into the net and that is Vaneks bread and butter.

Honestly, he isn't a Gaborik, but his highest goal total was only 42, Vanek had 43.

Vanek hit 40 goals twice, the same amount of times Gaborik has hit it. Yes Gaborik has had more injuries then Vanek and probably is a better natural goal scorer, but he's not far better then Vanek at all, and he makes 8 million dollars. Yes he has put up more points a year then Vanek and is a more complete player, but strictly scorer they are almost identical. Also Vanek is capable of putting up a PPG a year if the talent is around him, he's not nearly as speedy as Gaborik and that is a huge disadvantage too.

Vanek has a career average of .442 Goals a game.
Gaborik has a .451 Goals a game average for his career.
Eric Staal makes 8 million and only scores a .403 Goals a game so far.
Brad Richards makes 7.8 million but only has a .274 Goals a game average.
Scott Gomez has a .240 and makes 7.3 million also.
Evgeni Malkin only has a .463 Goals a game average too.

He isn't Crosby with a .493 or Ovechkin with a .679 goals a game average.

But you see my point. Vanek might not ever hit 50, but he is capable, and some of those other guys who make as much as Vanek, aren't as good of scorers as he has been in his career.

If Vanek had one legitimate line mate to feed him the puck better, he puts up 50 goals and over 40 year in and year out.

ill be realistic and say 40 and up. cause he has the potential to be above 40, but im just taking into account mid season slumps, or injuries.