10 NHL Players Who Can't Grow a Beard

One of hockey's great traditions is the choice many players make to go without shaving during the playoffs.

Unfortunately, some players are simply incapable of growing a respectable beard.

Though the playoffs are months away, that does not change the fact that the skill set of certain NHL stars does not include the ability to grow quality facial hair.

Chris Pronger*

Chris Pronger makes this list via choice.

The 6'6" behemoth of aggression can fittingly grow a beard, but chooses to shave during the playoffs.

He is usually clean-cut throughout the regular season as well.

Valterri Filppula

Valterri Filppula does not make the list by means of personal preference.

This photo is from Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.

The dirt on Filppula's chin may resemble something of a beard, but keep in mind what other players tend to look like that deep into the postseason.

Danny Briere

Danny Briere is an incredible playoff performer, but does so while sporting this look.

He looks like he could shave with a Kleenex.

Marc-Andre Fleury

At least something shows up on Danny Briere's face.

Not a hint of beard graces the cheek area of Marc-Andre Fleury.

Sidney Crosby

Fleury's teammate and captain Sidney Crosby has notoriously terrible facial hair.

However, at least something resembling a beard crawls up his chin towards the ears.

Jonathan Toews

After Crosby won the cup sporting terrible facial hair in 2009, Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks followed suit in 2010.

The extended sideburns really isn't a good look for anyone.

Tomas Kaberle

Another Cup winner without a respectable beard is Tomas Kaberle, now a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

Kaberle follows Fleury's "only near the mouth" facial hair style.

Steven Stamkos

One of Kaberle's opponents en route to his Stanley Cup victory was Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After Stamkos went without shaving for more than a month, he looked more like someone who fell face-first into a pile of dirt than a bearded hockey player.

Perhaps the 21-year-old sniper will get better with age.

Corey Perry

Like Stamkos, Corey Perry's lack of beard at least comes with goal-scoring talent.

Last season, Perry won the Hart Memorial Trophy after leading the league in goals.

Has anyone ever seen Perry with facial hair?

Patrick Kane

Here's a guy who openly acknowledged how bad his playoff beard was, saying "It was pretty embarrassing last year. I've got the playoff mullet going now..."

The mullet worked; two months later Patrick Kane scored the overtime-winning goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals.

B/R Featured Columnist Jason Sapunka cannot grow excellent facial hair either, but is available on Twitter for hockey-related discussions.

Follow @moreSapunka