The 10 Most Valuable Players in the NHL

When I originally thought about this idea, I wanted to involve a few criteria as to hat makes a player valuable?

Well, I think it comes down to three questions:

1. How valuable is the player from an off-ice standpoint?
2. If the player was out of the lineup, how would that affect the team?
3. How does that player impact the game when he's on the ice?

I left off some players because they're missing something from one of the three questions listed.  So, without further ado:

10. Patrick Kane/Jonathan Toews

A pair of rooks tie for the No. 10 spot on the list, for a few reasons.  They are valuable in the NHL's youth campaign—two exciting young stars who are helping to bring the NHL back into the spotlight.

Without them, the Blackhawks, who were close to a playoff spot, would be lowly basement dwellers and have almost no hope.  After the youngsters, star Martin Havlat can't stay healthy, the defense lacks a stud (now Brian Campbell is there, but he is not a stud), and the team features a highly overpaid, overrated goaltender in Nikolai Khabibulin.

On the ice, they are electric. Kane is a shifty little speedster with tremendous scoring ability, alwys able to make something out of nothing.  Toews is the two-way star, combining good scoring ability with defensive responsibility. 

Throw in the leadership skills of these two and you have some very valuable NHLers.

9. Robert Luongo

Luongo, arguably the best goaltender in the game, is a one-man force in Vancouver.  He's the team's lone "star" player—all due respect to the Sedin twins.

Without him, the Canucks wouldn't stand a chance in the ultra-competitive Northwest Division.  He's a perennial Vezina Trophy candidate for a reason.

When he is on the ice, the Canucks have a chance to win every single night, no matter how putrid their offense may be.  He's helped lead them to the playoffs both seasons in Vancouver and could be the catalyst behind bigger and better things should the offense improve.

8. Carey Price

Price is what the NHL needs—a fresh-faced, great goaltender to take over where Patrick Roy left off. It doesn't hurt that this goalie just happened to end up in Montreal, either.

'rice took the league by storm last season, though he was a bit shaky in the playoffs. Still, he could be the next big thing.

Here's where Price's value drops a bit: when he isn't in the crease, the Habs aren't that much worse off. Halak's performance in last year's playoffs was on par with Price's—though Carey was lights out during the regular season.

What he does bring to the table is a sense of calm. He doesn't worry after a bad goal—he just goes back to work.  He has a tremendous skill set, and the demeanor a goalie needs to flourish in the NHL.

7. Martin Brodeur

Brodeur, the goaltending ironman and face of consistency, brings a charming presence and a veteran touch as well as giving the Devils and the NHL a viable star to hang their hats on. 

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