Paul Coffey holds the NHL record for most goals in a season by a defenseman, scoring 48 for the Edmonton Oilers in 1985–86.
Coffey’s 48 goals surpassed Bobby Orr’s previous record of 46, set with the Boston Bruins in 1974–75. Coffey was an exceptionally offensive defenseman, combining elite skating with quick acceleration and creative puck movement.
That season was one of the greatest offensive campaigns by a defenseman: Coffey also recorded 90 assists for 138 points in 79 games and won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman. His total remains the benchmark for regular-season goals by an NHL defenseman.
A common mix-up is confusing regular-season goals with playoff goals or total points. Bobby Orr still owns several major defenseman records, including the single-season points record of 139, but Coffey owns the goals record.