Comparing the Top 25 NHL Players to an NFL Player

With the NFL playoffs in full gear and the NHL excitement heating up with the trading deadline nearing, comparing the top hockey players to their football counterparts seems appropriate at this time of year.

Both sports are very physical, so there are many players who can be compared between the two sports.

Who is your favorite star's NFL counterpart? Let's find out.

I'm sure this will cause a lot of debate, and these comparisons can go a number of ways. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Pavel Datsyuk: Ed Reed

Both Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk and Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed are going to be enshrined in their sport's Hall of Fame, and both are exceptionally good defensively.

Each star is always positioned so well on their respective playing surface and both are leaders.

Henrik Lundqvist: Tom Brady

I realize Henrik Lundqvist doesn't have the playoff success of Tom Brady, but the New York Rangers goalie and New England Patriots quarterback are both on top of their games right now, and both are MVP candidates.

The ladies love them, too, which doesn't hurt.

Sidney Crosby: Matt Forte

Sidney Crosby and Matt Forte are both great players, and both of their injuries this season doomed their respective team's chances of winning a championship.

Without Forte, the Bears' offense is half as good compared to when he's healthy and in the lineup. Same can be said for Crosby and the Penguins.

Steven Stamkos: Arian Foster

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos and Houston Texans running back Arian Foster are both so important to their team's offensive success, and they are the best players on their respective teams.

Both have had breakout seasons recently and their play has not diminished since.

Nicklas Lidstrom: Ray Lewis

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis both have played at a very high level well into their mid-to-late 30s.

Both are exceptional leaders, too, and they will go down as two of the best ever at their respective positions.

Alexander Ovechkin: Larry Fitzgerald

Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald both have great hands, speed and have not won a championship despite being good playoff performers.

These are two of the most talented players in their respective sports.

Shea Weber: DeMarcus Ware

Nashville Predators captain and Dallas Cowboys star DeMarcus Ware are both two of the best defensive players in their respective sports, and each are a nightmare to play against.

Without them, their respective teams would be far less challenging to play against.

Henrik Sedin: Drew Brees

Vancouver Canucks star center Henrik Sedin and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees both put up great regular-season stats, but more often than not, they fail to lead their teams deep into the playoffs. Brees, however, does have a championship ring.

Both players are all-around nice guys, too.

Martin St. Louis: Darren Sproles

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis and New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles are both undersized, but that doesn't prevent them from being huge factors in their team's success each game.

Daniel Sedin: Eli Manning

Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning are both tremendous passers and are hugely important to their team's success on offense.

Both have risen their games in recent seasons and are in the prime of their careers.

Evgeni Malkin: Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh sports stars Evgeni Malkin and Ben Roethlisberger are so vital to their team's performances, and both are no strangers to playing hurt and still performing well.

The Steelers quarterback and the Penguins center are both fantastic passers and leaders for their clubs, too.

Jonathan Toews: Aaron Rodgers

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers are both MVP candidates and mean so much to their team's offensive success.

Both will be great players for many years and likely will win another title after both won their first championship early in their careers.

Henrik Zetterberg: Peyton Manning

Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning have long been two of the best players at their respective positions.

Both are champions and each is so important to the offensive success of their team's.

Zdeno Chara: Rob Gronkowski

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara is the tallest player in NHL history, and fellow Boston sports star Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots is one of the tallest and most intimidating players in the NFL.

Both guys use their height and strength to their advantage, and both have become elite players over the past few seasons.

Duncan Keith: Darrelle Revis

Duncan Keith and Darrelle Revis are two of the best defensive players in their sport, but each has struggled at times this season.

Regardless, both of them will be spectacular defensive players for many seasons to come, and they are both leaders for their teams.

Claude Giroux: Victor Cruz

Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux and New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz are both enjoying breakout seasons and will be household names for many years to come.

Both are top-tier playmakers and are important to their team's offenses.

Corey Perry: Andre Johnson

Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry and Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson are two of the most explosive players in sports, and they are both the MVPs of their teams.

Both have good hands, are playmakers and are elite scorers.

Tim Thomas: Richard Seymour

Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas and Oakland Raiders defensive end Richard Seymour are both veteran players performing very well despite being in their 30s.

Both play crucial parts for their respective clubs in keeping the opposing team from scoring. Each is a former champion, too.

Marion Gaborik: Adrian Peterson

New York Rangers winger Marion Gaborik and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson are both two of the best offensive players in their sports, but they have battled injuries in recent seasons.

When healthy, these two are exceptional at scoring points, or goals, for their teams.

Joe Thornton: Tony Romo

San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo are two players who dominate the regular season but repeatedly fail in important games late in the season.

They are both amazing passers and are worth the price of admission.

Rick Nash: Antonio Gates

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash is a strong offensive player who is relied on to provide much of his team's offense, much like San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates.

Ryan Getzlaf: Patrick Willis

Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf doesn't get the most attention on his team, but his role as a playmaker and a leader is so vital to the success of the Ducks.

The same can be said for San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Patrick Willis, who makes plays and does his job each night without enough recognition.

Patrick Kane: Dez Bryant

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant are both extremely talented, and they have had their own off-the-court/ice incidents they would like to forget.

However, both have very bright futures ahead of them.

Zach Parise: DeSean Jackson

Both Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils and DeSean Jakson of the Philadelphia Eagles are enormous offensive talents who can change games with one play. They both have speed and frequently find themselves involved in scoring plays.

Both are also free agents in the summer, and each could very well be on new teams next season. Parise and Jackson have very bright futures ahead of them.

Phil Kessel: Ray Rice

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel and Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice are both having tremendous seasons, and they have really improved their games since coming into their respective leagues just a few seasons ago.