50 best NHL current players..

[P J Shaker]

i figure with the hockey season starting in a couple days we can start the hockey talk....




1. Alex Ovechkin, Washington


An exceptional talent, a born scorer, a player who brings intensity to every game.

2. Sydney Crosby, Pittsburgh


He's maintained an average of 1.56 goals per game since his start in the NHL.

3. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit


He can do anything on ice.

4. Vincent Lecavalier,Tampa Bay


A player with a lot of resources at his disposal. A franchise player.

5. Jarome Iginla, Calgary


Teams in the East unfortunately don't get the chance to see him at work enough. A great leader

6. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh


A year ago, people were admitting he had some talent. Now it's confirmed.

7. Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit


Unique in defense, in a class of his own. A magician on the blue line

8. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit


Good scorer, focused and very fast.

9. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver


To stay on top, he'll have to be the goaltender he was two years ago.

10. Dany Heatley, Ottawa


He has remained one of the league's most feared scorers on a team quickly losing steam.

11. Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta


A crazy amount of talent, but has a difficult nature and plays on a mediocre team

12. Marian Gaborik, Minnesota


The fastest skater in the league. He'll have to show some leadership. His potential is out of this world.

13. Marian Hossa, Detroit

(OLD PHOTO)
He proved his worth with a good team such as the Penguins. He's going to rock Detroit.

14. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa


You can never get tired of this guy's determination and leadership.

15. Brenden Morrow, Dallas


Sought after by all the coaches in the league. A pit-bull.

16. Chris Pronger, Anaheim


Even while losing speed he's still feared by his opponents.


17. Evgeny Nabokov,San Jose


No goaltender has matched this Russian's performance.


18. Dion Phaneuf, Calgary


The prototype of the defenceman in the 2000s. Powerful, intimidating, determined.


19. Eric Staal, Carolina


Just finished an ordinary season with an ordinary team. He'll have to show

leadership.


20. Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim


He doesn't dominate like he used to, but he's still just as reliable.


21. Zdeno Chara, Boston


He's really found his place with the Bruins under Claude Julien's guidance.


22. Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim


A centre with an imposing presence. Good at passing and plenty of guts.


23. Jason Spezza, Ottawa


A make-or-break season for him. Talented, but sometimes lacks determination.


24. Henrik Lundqvist,New York


One of the best goalies in the league and doesn't shy away from extra work.


25. Rick Nash, Columbus


A powerful player playing with a team with one mission: getting to the playoffs.


26. Anze Kopitar,Los Angeles


Big, good with the puck, really understands the game.


27. Andrei Markov, Montreal


We discovered and started to appreciate him last season. Best player on his team.


28. Martin Brodeur,New Jersey


He lost a bit of his shine last season, but is still an athlete who gives his all every game.


29. Joe Thornton, San Jose


Choked during the playoffs. Once again, couldn't get the job done.


30. Sergei Gonchar, Pittsburgh


Has possibly just had the best season of his career.


31. Alex Kovalev, Montreal


Without a doubt, one of the best players in the NHL last year.


32. Ryan Miller, Buffalo


This goaltender isn't getting the credit he deserves. The Sabres rewarded him this summer.


33. Marty Turco, Dallas


There's no longer any doubt that he can be counted on in high-intensity games.


34. Zach Parise,New Jersey


Part of that group of young players who've taken the NHL by storm.


35. Mats Sundin, (?)


How can you ignore a 37-year-old player who scored 32 goals last season?


36. Joe Sakic, Colorado


How can you ignore a hockey player who is going into his 20th season?


37. Scott Gomez, New York Rangers


One of the best skaters in the league, a dangerous guy to have as centre.


38. Martin Saint-Louis, Tampa Bay


Rarely has a bad game, but is slowing down.


39. Jonathan Toews, Chicago


This hard-hitting player has been dealing with injuries but will still play in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.


40. Daniel Briere, Philadelphia


Had an ordinary season, but got back in the saddle by the end. Will be back with Simon Gagne.


41. Mike Ribeiro, Dallas


Had an amazing season and benefitted from having Brenden Morrow at his side.


42. Jason Pominville, Buffalo


A multi-talented and intelligent player.


43. Derek Roy, Buffalo


With Pominville, he was able to partly make up for Scott Drury and Daniel Briere

leaving.


44. Shane Doan, Phoenix


His team's best player, he can adapt to any game style.


45. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver


He is his team's entire offence.


46. Paul Stastny, Colorado


A smart centre who's coming into his own with the Avalanche.


47. Mike Richards, Philadelphia


A leader and an intense player. The Flyers couldn't do it without him.


48. Brian Rafalski, Detroit


He really got back on track playing with Nicklas Lidstrom.


49. Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary


Not as dazzling as last year. Tough season under Mike Keenan's management.


50. Alex Hemsky, Edmonton


Exceptional skater. Spectacular on offense.




SOURCE - http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hoc...92001-sun.html

[nyG]

so glad hockey season is back. This year I plan on following the league heavily for the first time. Expect some action in this forum!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[dohcdelsol93]

you could have just copied and pasted the pens roster

[P J Shaker]

Originally Posted by dohcdelsol93

you could have just copied and pasted the pens roster

sorry...penguins have 3 and the red wings have 5......and one of those is one that we stole from you..HAHAHAH ...we win.....

oh and not to mention, 3 in the top 10 and 4 in the top 15...oh and did i mention the beating in the stanley cup finals last year...i cant remember if i told you that or not....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AH

[Chubz]

good post man. I dont follow hockey, but i think I may. So this list will help me out bigtime

[P J Shaker]

yea knowing the good players helps...if you watch hockey for the first time you have to either watch red wings game or watch alex ovechkin in action...this guy is something else..

[dohcdelsol93]

Ovechkin is a great player.

but so is Malkin.

[dohcdelsol93]

on that note i don't think ovechkin is as well rounded of a player as Sid or Malkin.

He's not much of a back checker and he's not much for passing.

Maybe it's because he feels his teammates are not good enough to pass to. He's bascily the entire team.

Malkin and Sid are just as good with the pass as they are on the scoring.

And Sid is amazing when it comes to back checking. I like his playing style because he's always anticpating your next move. He can take you 180 ft and burn you on both ends. He plays like a veteran when it comes to back checking well and moving the puck quickly back into the attack zone for an odd man rush.

Ovechkin has the size and physical stature to make big hits and plays aggressively.

The fans love it. But your team has got to play like a team in order to win the Cup.

That is why the Pens and the Wings made it to the finals.

Yes the Pens lost out to the wings. But the Pens are also a much younger and inexperienced team especially when it comes to the postseason.

[P J Shaker]

ovechkin is the best pure scorer in the league...but i think he has the egde on sid right now....malkin is a few steps behind both of them, but he is a good player..

going by your criteria, Pavel Datsyk is the best player....he is the best defensive forward and he is top 5 scorer..so for all around player..he is the best....

[dohcdelsol93]

Sid had the injury and missed a good chunk of the season last year.

That's the only reason Sid didn't get the scoring title.

The season before Sid was also playing with an injury.

If the guy is that good playing hurt the NHL is in for a treat when he's 100% an entire season.

As for Malkin being a few steps behind...it's only his 3rd season in the NHL

He's coming into his own and adjusting to a new playing style. I think out of the three he's probably the most underated in the NHL. The guy has potential.

[nyG]

Ovechkin may not be as well known for his defensive abilities is because he is a left winger while crosby and malkin are centers, who have to be more defensively oriented. But Ovechkin is very physical with his play regardless, I think he's the best in the world.

[P J Shaker]

datsyk plays wing, but yes i agree, Ovechkin is the best in the world...Crosby is good but i dont think that he is really the 2nd best player, his name just pulls alot of weight.....