Top 5 most valuable goal scorers in the NHL this season.

In a world of advanced stats and analytics it seems more and more focus in the world of sports in being put on player contracts. That is especially true in league's like the National Hockey League where we exist in the world of the salary cap, where every dollar needs to be maximized if you want your team to be a legitimate contender.

Often times teams can find themselves handicapped by big contracts that were handed out or even ill advised contracts to a middling player that come back to bite them years after the deal was signed.

With all of that in mind it suddenly becomes very interesting to look at who the best bargains in the National Hockey League actually are, and the answers may surprise you. Absent from the list are the star level players making millions and millions of dollars each and every season, and instead we see a list full of young up and coming stars who are no doubt destined for big money in the future.

First let's take a look at who gives their team the most bang for the buck when it comes to goals.

1. Cole Caufield - Montreal Canadiens

Caufield has been dynamite for the Canadiens this season with 12 goals already under his belt, and at a salary cap hit of $1,308,333 which works out to just $73,402 per goal for the Canadiens.

2. Gabriel Vilardi - Los Angeles Kings

Vilardi has taken a big step forward in what is now his 4th season with the Los Angeles Kings, and that has led to him producing 11 goals so far this season. With Vilardi at a cap hit of just $825,000 that works out to an even $75,000 per goal for the Kings.

3. Andrei Kuzmenko - Vancouver Canucks

The first year NHLer is certainly making the Canucks happy about their investment with 11 goals already to his name this season. The long time veteran of the Kontinental Hockey League comes in at a cap hit of just $1,800,000 for this season which works out to $83,363 per goal for the Canucks.

4. Matt Boldy - Minnesota Wild

Fans of the Minnesota Wild have been hyping up first round pick Matt Boldy for a while now and after playing just 47 games in the NHL last season it looks like this may truly be a breakout year for the 21 year old forward. Boldy already has 9 goals to his name this season and he comes in at a cap hit of $1,325,000 which works out to $98,870 per goal for the Wild.

5. Zach Parise - New York Islanders

You might be surprised to see a veteran like Parise on this list but it is important to remember that he was bought out of his big contract by the Wild. On his new deal with the Islanders he earns a very reasonable cap hit of $1,500,000  and with 7 goals under his belt this season that works out to just $107,142 per goal for the Islanders.

It is important to note that this list could change rapidly as more games are played throughout this season, but there's no doubt that these 5 players have given their respective teams their money's worth.