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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: How valuable is the player from ...

The 10 Most Valuable Players in the NHL

by Ryan (Senior Writer)

85

2,205 reads

Rankings/List

July 28, 2008


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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85 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Ben Horner 11 months ago

    I kinda disagree with number 1. When Crosby was out the Peguins did extremely well (granted Malking exploded), but we all saw what happened when Malkin couldnt score against Detroit. Im not saying that Malkin should be number 1 but I don't think Sid the Kid should either.

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  2. Chris Bouthillier 11 months ago

    Ovechkin, like him or not, is the most exciting player to watch. Just the passion he brings and the excitement that he gets when his team scores is just amazing to watch. He honestly is a little kid trapped inside a grown hockey player's body...with a TON of skill.

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  3. Rafal Ladysz 11 months ago

    Crosby ain't ahead of Ovechkin. He's just a little cover boy for the NHL cause he's Canadian and he cries when ever he gets hit and the refs usually call it (nice protection). Ovechkin scores goals, racks up points, throws the body and plays every shift like its his last. That's the heart and soul of the NHL.

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    • Ms Staysharp W 11 months ago

      Actually, Rafal, you're wrong.
      In the playoffs, the refs let Sid get absolutely molested by Detroit and he still came out of the playoffs tied for the scoring lead.
      It's a little hard to score when three or four of the other team's guys are laying on you. Ever hear of obstruction? (Only when the refs started calling penalties did things start to even out, if you'll remember games 5 and 6). He did not "cry" as you say. In fact he was tough and tried to mx it up and bulldoze though it to make the plays anyway. In case you didn't realize, Sid is a play maker. When other guys are not on the other end of the play and you can't get to the net because of three guys holding your jersey, then the puck doesn't go in the net.
      You obviously just listen to what other people tell you and don't actually watch the games.
      I am with our author. Sidney Crosby is the most valuable player in the NHL, followed by OV, Heatley...and you forgot Vinny Le Cavalier in there, too!

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  4. Timothy Leary 11 months ago

    if ovechkin were canadian, he would be the face of the NHL. and let's wait to crown crosby to be "simply the best player in the game today" until he proves he can score 40 goals

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      Firstly, I agree about Ovechkin. Crosby got the edge because he is THE face of the NHL.

      And you're saying Peter Forsberg was never the best player in the game since his career high in goals was just 30? Assists are just as important as goals. Every hockey fan knows that.

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    • Timothy Leary 11 months ago

      not at all. assists are equally important as goals, but don't forget that, in hockey, players are credited for secondary assists as well as primary assists. there are no such thing as secondary goals. scoring 60 goals in a season is far more difficult then registering 60 assists. in no way am i taking away from petr forsbergs accomplishments, but he was never deemed the face of the NHL like crosby

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  5. Alan Bass 11 months ago

    i disagree with number one. crosby is only the face of the nhl because he is canadian. if ovie spoke english just as well as crosby, he would be the face, because he is the better player

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    • Nick Colon 11 months ago

      Wrong. Bad comment. Crosby is a better overall guy, but for my money I'll take Ovechkin. Your reasoning is horrible. Language is not the reason at all why Ryan considered Crosby better. If we ranked Crosby and Ovechkin on a scale of one to ten for goals, and assists alone, Crosby would get a 7 for goals, and a 9 for assists. Ovechkin would get a 10 on goals, and a 5 on assists, as Crosby is a more giving player. Ovechkin is a playmaker, and that alone in my book makes him better than Crosby, but if you ask me who's the better player as a whole, Crosby's it. Still think his ego's crap though.

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    • Alan Bass 11 months ago

      no i didn't say ryan's reasoning was because of the language barrier. i'm saying that's why the nhl has crosby as the face of the league. you can't tell me honestly that if ovie was canadian and spoke perfect english that he, too wouldn't be the face of the nhl

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    • Ms Staysharp W 11 months ago

      guys, have you seen OV's face...not very pretty. Sorry.
      Crosby has the whole deal.

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    • Alan Bass 11 months ago

      not pretty? he looks fine!! idk what ur talking about

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  6. Steve C 11 months ago

    lidstrom is number one. every time he is on the ice he makes or breaks games. and the wings won the cup, even though the pens had the supposed 1st and 3rd best players on their team. how are kane and toews 10 and datsuyk and zetterberg dont even make the list?? im not even a wings fan and im pissed

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      Overall popularity and marketability played a part, hence Crosby's #1 over Ovechkin. And I disagree that Crosby isn't the better player. He's the more complete player of the two, no doubt.

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  7. John LoGiudice 11 months ago

    I like the article, but I would have to agree with the people before me. Lidstrom or even Zetterberg are number one. I would also have to consider Ovechkin. I really like Malkin, but the Malkin that has yet to come. I don't think Evgeni has earned #3 yet. Once he masters English, Malkin will show his true worth, a likable and natural leader. The Malkin of 2010-11 may very well be a number 2 or even 1. As for Sydney, a strong, strong number 2, he has to stop worrying about what the refs call and make a bee line for the goal. Crosby has to be less worried about how the goal looks and more about volume. A "garbage goal" looks the same as a 20 foot wrister in the box score. I also think Brodeur no longer belongs on this list. There are plenty of other goalies that belong higher than him today. His place in history and the Hall are assured, though I would argue he benefited more from an amazing defence and a cheat-like Trap more than his own talent. His time has passed along with the return to a Devils' dynasty anytime soon. I also think Price needs another season or two to prove to me that he belongs on the list. Do we have a "second-coming of Jose Theodore" or the real thing?

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  8. Timothy Leary 11 months ago

    give me your reasoning for why crosby is a more complete player of the two

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      Crosby's edges: Better defender, better passer, better leader

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    • Timothy Leary 11 months ago

      is he a better defender? ovechkin was a +28 this season on a team that had been cellar dwellers for quite some time until he miraculously carried them to the playoffs. the penguins are an all-star team with a future all-star goalie and a future hall of fame defenseman in sergei gonchar and a future hall of fame forward in evgeni malkin.

      this season, the pens had four other players not named crosby register at least 60 points. the caps had ONE other player not named ovechkin with at least 60. ovechkin hoisted a team on his back and carried them to the playoffs. the penguins did just fine without crosby. if that doesn't merit most valuable player (the key word here being "valuable" since that's what you decided to name your article), i don't know what does

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    • Ms Staysharp W 11 months ago

      oh, Timothy, you are so obviously a Crosby hater as you only mentioned Malkin as a potential hall of famer and mitted Crosby, who has as much chance as Malkin.

      Don't be a hater. Don't be jealous...

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  9. Greg Punson 11 months ago

    Ovechkin's edges: better scorer, better hitter, more intimidating player. Crosby being a better leader is HIGHLY questionable - I don't know what it's based on. What was very telling is the Pens performance without Crosby: they were just fine. Take Ovechkin off the Capitals, and you have the worst team in the NHL.

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    • Joel Matticks 11 months ago

      a more intimidating player? did you poll every player in the NHL to find that stat? and better hitter hes just bigger so he can throw his body around better. and Crosby is younger than ovechkin and already has the captains 'C' how is that HIGHLY questionable

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  10. deflated 11 months ago

    Roberto Luongo: "He's helped lead them to the playoffs both seasons in Vancouver"

    If the Canucks made the playoffs in 07/08 its news to Vancouver.

    Also Dion Phaneuf more valuable than Lidstrom? Phaneuf wouldn't be in the top 5 d-men let alone the best, he makes horrible mistakes chasing highlight reel hits. And I'm assuming you consider whoever is the current Habs goalie to be the most marketable player in the NHL because Corey Price's on-ice contribution is far, far behind Nabakov, Kiprusoff, Miller, Turco, Giguere...even Toskala would have to be more valuable, he's the only decent player the Leafs have and they're the biggest franchise in the league.

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      If we're basing this on JUST on ice-ability/contributions, obviously Price doesn't make the list over those guys. But again, I'm factoring in their marketabilitiy and populairty as well. And Price is being treated like the second coming right now.

      And I couldn't agree more on the Lidstrom over Phaneuf point as far as being a player goes, but Phaneuf is apart of this new push for young stars the NHL has going. Lidstrom is a great, great player no doubt, but Phaneuf is getting just as much if not more attention, hence his increased value.

      And Chris, thanks for correcting me, my memory is obviously very shoddy.

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  11. Chris Pope 11 months ago

    Nicklas Lidstrom is the best player in the NHL hands down.
    Watch a wings game and try to debate that fact. Seriously.
    There is seriously no D man in the NHL that will touch Nick
    for a Norris in the next 4 years. - Unless he gets injured.

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  12. Chris Pope 11 months ago

    PS - Little known fact, Nick was runner-up in the Norris Trophy Ballot's three straight years before he finally got his first. He then went on a streak of three straight - the first D man to do so since Bobby Orr. With his Norris win this year thats two runs of three straight.

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  13. Steve LaFrance 11 months ago

    Ovechkin is by far, the most important player in the NHL. His passion, ability and excitement are without equal (even by that dynamic duo in Pitt). C'mon, face fact, when Ovechkin put the Caps on his back and made that incredible playoff run, it was dominance not seen since Ignila's heyday. By the way, The entire RED WINGS TEAM should be second. That's hockey.

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    • Joel Matticks 11 months ago

      Ovechkin did put the team on his back but i wouldn't call a 7 game playoff series loss to the flyers an icredible playoff run. your right about the red wings thats why none of them made the list the machine is definatly greater than the sum of its parts

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  14. Steve LaFrance 11 months ago

    Ovechkin is by far, the most important player in the NHL. His passion, ability and excitement are without equal (even by that dynamic duo in Pitt). C'mon, face fact, when Ovechkin put the Caps on his back and made that incredible playoff run, it was dominance not seen since Ignila's heyday. By the way, The entire RED WINGS TEAM should be second. That's hockey.

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  15. Ian Wilson 11 months ago

    Iginla is more valuable than Phaneuf...and Pronger is pretty damn valuable

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  1. Nick Colon 11 months ago

    You gotta be kidding me with the list. I do agree with some guys on the list like Phaneuf, and Crosby, and Ovechkin, but what's the deal with guys like Mike Modano, Brendan Morrow, or Zdeno Chara being left off the list? You mean to tell me two rookie punks (who are very good by the way) are ahead of these true veterans? Tim Thomas, the hardest working goalie in the league is also the most underrated. St. Louis for TB. Joe Sakic for COL. Freakin Ollie Jokinen! The guys been the Florida Panther leader year in and year out! And you put two younsters ahead of him? Come on man. Don't gimme the stars of the game. You want leadership? Tenacity? Grit? I'll take Jokinen over Thornton any day. Good topic, but not well thought out.

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    • Timothy Leary 11 months ago

      you've gotta be kidding me if you'd take jokinen over thornton any day. he's been in the league for ten years and has yet to play a playoff game. thornton plays with as much grit and tenacity as anybody. what are you talking about

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  2. Ryan 11 months ago

    Nick, read my first paragraph. This isn't JUST based on their on-ice contributions. I can't believe I keep having to reitterate this.

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    • Nick Colon 11 months ago

      So Zdeno Chara who's in Africa helping poor children isn't an off ice contributor? Mike Modano who has done countless acts on and off the ice? Ollie Jokinen who's the hardest player in the game, and contributes off ice as well? Your list is sub par. Poor list big time, and poor criteria. If you were an honest NHL fan, you'd have 5 guys on the list that are not close to big names as the ones you mention. Don't worry, you won't have to reiterate that any more. I know your list is poor.

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      First off, lose your attitude. I don't know who you think you are but try speaking without that stick up your rear.

      Secondly, if you want to go on charitble contributions, then I could go on all damn day because MANY players do that. I'm talking in terms of marketability/popularity. Are you still going to argue that Chara, Modano and Jokinen are as valuable? Because if you are, then clearly it's you who needs to learn a bit.

      That's the only reason Kane, Toews and Price made this list at all--they're popular and part of the NHL's move to promote it's young stars.

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    • Ms Staysharp W 11 months ago

      You forgot Vincent LeCavalier...

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  3. Nicholas Case 11 months ago

    Wow. No shocker that people dont give Crosby any respect.

    There's no way Ovechkin rates higher overall that Sid. None. What-so-ever.

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  4. Kristin T 11 months ago

    I would pick AO over Crosby anyday

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  5. Ryan 11 months ago

    If I'm building a team and on-ice performance is the ONLY factor, it's still close. They both have parts of their game that is superior to the other. But Sid is THE face of the NHL. That gives him the edge.

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  6. Mari Lowery 11 months ago

    I'm a HOCKEY fan. Actually my favorite players have always been the guys that don't get much recognition at all from the media and fans, for the most part. You know the ones that play hard every shift and make plays develop center ice, cause turn-overs, etc... Not the big scorers. So, I guess that is the reason I prefer Crosby to Ovechkin. I love watching AO score and embrace his passion and celebration with each goal. However, there is much more to the game of hockey than just goals. Of course that is the main focus and what determines which team wins, that's the reason everyone concentrates on great scoring players. People should attempt to study more of the game. ie: the way a play develops. It takes tremendous vision, creativity and instinct to see the potential for an amazing play... several passes ahead of the goal. Crosby has that ability. That sets him apart from Ovechkin and frankly every other player that is currently playing in the NHL.

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  7. Mari Lowery 11 months ago

    I'm a hockey fan. Actually my favorite players have always been the guys that don't get much recognition at all from the media and fans, for the most part. You know the ones that grind and play hard every shift, that make plays develop center ice, cause turn-overs, etc... Not the big scorers. So, I guess that is the reason I prefer Crosby over Ovechkin. I love watching AO score and embrace his passion and celebration with each goal. However, there is much more to the game of hockey than goals. Of course that is the main focus and what determines which team wins, that's the reason everyone concentrates on great scoring players. People should study more of the game. ie: the way a play develops. It takes tremendous vision, creativity and instinct to see the potential for an amazing play... several passes ahead of the goal. Crosby has that ability. That sets him apart from Ovechkin, and frankly every other player that is currently playing in the NHL.

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  8. Mari Lowery 11 months ago

    sorry, not sure why that posted twice...............

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  9. James Brown 11 months ago

    Again, like many others here, I disagree that Crosby is considered more valuable than Ovechkin. Crosby just doesn't have the presence of Ovechkin. The only reason Crosby is so well recognized is because the NHL wanted to try and market him as a "North American" product. Honestly, he's fallen off from where certain people have tried to place him. Not to say that Crosby isn't an awesome elite player though.

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  10. Nick Colon 11 months ago

    Hey Timothy, you think your a real fan of the game? Anyone who knows anything about hockey knows Ollie Jokinen is the only star on one of the worst NHL teams around. He can't make the playoffs himself retard. He's a better athlete, and a much better NHL player than Joe Thornton who can't even take a team to the finals with all the options he has. He sucked with the Bruins, and he's a star in SJ, with a crap attitude for the game. Don't call yourself an NHL fan. Learn it first.

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      Thornton has been a far better player/producer than Jokinen even before Jokinen finally lived up to his potential. And what is with your hard on for Jokinen? He's MAYBE a top 15 player. It's easy to be the star of a garbage team with no pressure on him.

      Again, you seem confused by all of this. It's based on Marketability/Popularity, Impact on his team when out of the lineup and on-ice impact. Modano is HALF the player he was in his prime and isn't a marketing force outside of Dallas.

      Chara is an elite defender, but again, not a focal point of anyone's marketing plan outside the Boston area. Ditto for Morrow. Same for Jokinen.

      Whether you like it or not, Kane/Toews are going to be talked about/featured a helluva lot more than anybody you mentioned. Sakic was the only one I agreed with and I left him off simply because he doesn't help attract the casual fan like the others do.

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  11. Nick Colon 11 months ago

    Wow...my reason for Jokinen is because he gets no coverage from you fake NHL fans. Modano is still the same leader, just with age, and Chara is the best defenseman in the league besides Lidstrom. Marketability and popularity is crap for your article. If your basing your article on that, then this article shouldn't have even been written with that heading because quite frankly, the phrase "Most Valuable Player" is not defined by your crappy description. Change the title, then we can talk about a decent article.

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  12. Nate Santoianni 11 months ago

    Carey Price should not be anywhere near that list right now. Period

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  13. Cari Willey 11 months ago

    Aside from the goaltenders, a very predictible list.

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    • Nicholas Case 11 months ago

      As of right now the top 10 are fairly cut and dry. Going back before the lock out it was different, but a new guard is coming in.

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    • Cari Willey 11 months ago

      I don't see how you can say "the top ten are fairly cut and dry." This is hockey, not golf.

      I don't know how many times I have to say this: Hockey is not a game of stats.
      Numbers mean nothing. A great player can turn the game around with one interception that may or may not lead to an assist, or a big hit at the right time... And beyond that, hockey is a team sport. These endless articles about the top five, ten, fifty players are ridiculous.

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  14. Brian Sulpher 11 months ago

    As a Flames fan I am shocked to see Phaneuf on there and no Iginla. Phaneuf does some nice things but he hurts the Flames at times too. Iginla is the engine and heart of that team.

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  15. Arthur Shtern 11 months ago

    No Datsyuk or Zetterberg...
    I guess there isn't any respect for the best 2-way players in the league as well as the smartest forwards in the game.
    pshh.

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      Again, as I said to just about EVERYONE....I, as an involved NHL fan, know the value that Zetterberg and Datsyuk have. HOWEVER, they aren't exactly the most visible of guys to the casual fan. That is why they didn't make the list.

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  1. Nick Colon 11 months ago

    Ryan, I don't think your criteria for MVP is good...that doesn't make me a prick. Trust me, I've had my share of comment battles on this site already, and the last thing I want is another. I just don't think it's an efficient article with your criteria and title. Either change the title to make it better, or change the criteria IMO. That would make it better. As for your statement about marketability, if you tell me Zdeno Chara is not marketable, then pass the good stuff, cuz you're high. Chara off ice is one hell of a guy, and on ice is the same. His marketability and popularity is the second highest as a defenseman. Name me two higher. You can't. I'm not a menstruating pissant, I'm an informed fan of the NHL. You name me two more marketable, popular, better on ice and off ice guys, and I'll apologize. Till then, I rest my case.

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  2. Ryan 11 months ago

    No, what makes you a prick is the way you answered. I don't mind that you have issues with my list. But use CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.

    And if you're going to say that Chara is a more marketable star than two exciting young players, then you're the one who's high. If you think the NHL is going to push him over Kane/Toews, get real. And Chara's popularity is second highest according to what?

    Honestly, I think Lidstrom, Phaneuf and arguably Niedermayer get more press than him. Again, good for him in his participation with community services--that's not what was taken into account. And while his value to the league may be high, he's probably 4th or 5th in marketability value. I think you're simply taking a different look at this.

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  3. Rafal Ladysz 11 months ago

    there was no call cause it was a clean hit. Crosby tried to get through it eh? By diving and trying to get a call. Oh and whenever he mixed it up like you said, the refs just happened to break it up before anything could happen cause they dont want the cover boy getting hurt. If you honestly think crosby is better then ovechkin you don't know hockey, nuff said staysharp.

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  4. Rafal Ladysz 11 months ago

    ohh and by the way ovechkin hits people a lot, so its not so easy to cover him. Crosby hasnt thrown a hit yet in his career i dont think, so obviously guys aint gonna be scared to cover him.

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      That last point was hardly one as no one is "scared" to cover Ovy. Also, Crosby has just as much edge, but doesn't have the size. Crosby gets his hands dirty, even fighting to defend a teammate. I'm sorry, but as a hockey fan, Crosby is the better player. Not by much, but he's still the better player.

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    • Joel Matticks 11 months ago

      Crosby has gotten into a fight has ovechkin done that?

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  5. Dave Davis 11 months ago

    After reading the comments concerning Crosby and Ov, did anyone stop to check on what happened when they played against each other. You will find that Crosby has the edge in head to head play. Also, a player with Crosby's skill could scopre many more goals if he would shoot rather than setup goals for his teammates.
    Dave

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  6. Pete 11 months ago

    Part of Ovie's charm is the fact that he's NOT a good ol' Canadian boy. He's simply a unique individual.

    And consider the following quote from him and a mod of it:

    "Russian machine never break"

    "Canadian machine never break"

    Which brings a smile to your face?

    Also, I can point to one game alone that makes him the MVP of at least 2007-2008...the four-goal game against Montreal. It's was like stuffing the heart of Iginla into the body of Scott Stevens, and giving him the hands of Gretzky. The guy is a freak, and we're lucky to be living during the beginning of his career to watch it.

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      We're lucky to be watching him, Crosby, Phaneuf, Price, Malkin, Kane, Toews..all these future superstars and we get to see them from the beginning.

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  7. Rafal Ladysz 11 months ago

    even if crosby wanted to ever fight the refs wouldn't let it happen, you ever notice how whenever he gets into a little scrum they break it up right away. I'd get my hands dirty too if i knew the refs were gonna bail me out in 2 seconds each time. Crosby has talent obviously but hes a little baby. Ovechkin won how many trophies this year compared to Crosby?

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  8. Joe Baggadonuts 11 months ago

    Crosby did fight this year. Saw it in person.

    The Ovie-Crosby debate is great for the NHL. But I'd watch for Malkin, because he's more of a hybrid of the two. He's only going to get better. They all will.

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  9. andrew cadeau 11 months ago

    This list is a bit ridiculous. Seriously. Im a habs fan but to put Price ahead of Luongo? Phaneuf over Lidstrom? Ever check out the rangers' record with Avery in the lineup and their record when he wasnt? Also no Iginla...

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      Again...includes importance to the league in general as far as a marketing standpoint. Please read, people.

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  10. Christine 11 months ago

    Yeah, so who made all of you hockey experts? Seems to me like you should leave the rankings to the professionals. And lets see, hmmm, who did they pick?? Why Sidney Crosby of course. Amateurs.

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    • Jimson Cuenta 11 months ago

      "Yeah, so who made all of you hockey experts? Seems to me like you should leave the rankings to the professionals. And lets see, hmmm, who did they pick?? Why Sidney Crosby of course. Amateurs."

      I couldn't agree more with your comment... In fact, I would have ranked Martin Brodeur as MY #1, lolz :)

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      Which is why you're an idiot.

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  11. Anders Edling 11 months ago

    First of all Dion Phaneuf does not belong on this list over Iginla. I hate both players and the way they play but I remember seeing a lot more of Iginla on NHL commercials for VS and the Play-offs. As for the whole debate as to who is the face of the NHL I think it is hard to argue it is not Crosby, I'm not saying that the NHL should have chosen him over Ovechkin, that's not the point but this list accurately accounts for the fact that the NHL did choose him to be the face of the NHL, thus why Crosby is first.

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  12. Rafal Ladysz 11 months ago

    ovechkins the better player enough said. Exactly why he won the rookie of the year in 05-06 and crosby didnt. Its harder to score goals then get assists. 4 trophies this year to ovie, crosby has what?

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      A hart & art ross. Yeah he must blow.

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    • Anders Edling 11 months ago

      Who cares about the Calder Trophy? Gretzky didn't win it either, with your logic apparently Raymond Bourque is better than Gretzky? I wasn't saying that either one was better with my comment. I'm just saying Crosby is currently more marketable and used by the NHL and probably the Penguins more than Ovechkin. The Capitals weren't leaving Washington before Ovechkin got there and are now staying, like Crosby and the Penguins.

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  13. Rafal Ladysz 11 months ago

    didnt say crosby's shit, the kid's obviously got great talent theres no denyin that.
    Just saying ovechkin's better that's all.

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  14. Matt Eichel 11 months ago

    I'm excited you put Price on the list, but I think that might be true in a few years if he gets the proper development. I agree with some of the comments above that Price, if the pressure gets to him, could be the second coming of Jose Theodore and that would be a disaster.

    But you're right, the NHL does need a fresh faced goalie that plays in the NHL's hottest market and could possibly take the place of Patrick Roy in years to come.

    As for the rest, where's Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Richards, Savard, Lecavalier, Spezza, Heatley. Maybe they could fit on the Top 20 eh?

    Good job anyways.

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    • Ryan 11 months ago

      Not big enough "star power" to make a top 10, but the majority of those listed weren't exactly meant to be treated like nobodies.

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  15. Nicholas Case 10 months ago

    I just wanted to stop in and see what was going on.

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