NHL Geezers: Top Fifteen Performers 35 And Over
An NHL career is definitely on the down slope once a guy hits the age of 35. The grind of season after season takes it's toll on everyone, regardless of age. Sooner or later, it's time to hang up the skates.
There are those who are opting for later.
There are 54 skaters who have seen their 35th birthday at this point of the NHL season. as we near the halfway point of the 2010-11 campaign, a lot of these players are more than holding their own night in and night out.
Here's my list of the top fifteen performers in the league over the age of 35. I gave a bit of weight to age as the big 4-0 was approached, but for the most part, age is just a number for these players.
15. Chris Pronger, 36, Philadelphia Flyers, D
1 of 15
31 Games: 4 G, 11 A, 15 points, +6
Pronger won't get a chance to help the Flyers at the top of the league for the next month and a half, as it was revealed Friday that a broken foot will keep him off the ice for awhile.
Too bad for Pronger and the Flyers, who will now look for 35-year old Kimmo Timonen to continue to play well in Pronger's absence.
14. Tomas Holstrom, 38, Detroit Red Wings, LW
2 of 15
30 Games: 9 G, 7 A, 16 points, +2
Detroit is a regular old age home. They have nine players on their roster over 35. They also have the best record in the Western Conference, so right now this team ain't old, their well-aged.
Holstrom still gets to the net and deposits rebounds for goals. He's spent his whole NHL career with the Red Wings and is signed through next season, when he should still be able to get it done.
13. Roman Hamrlik, 36, Montreal Canadians, D
3 of 15
30 Games: 3 G, 12 A, 15 points, + 9
Hamrlik's power play time on the ice is up in the face of Andrei Markov's injury. Despite missing a couple of games this year with his own knee problems, he has been logging over 20 minutes a night and leads Habs defensemen in scoring.
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12. Mike Knuble, 38, Washington Capitals, RW
4 of 15
30 Games: 6 G, 7 A, 13 points, +4
Right now his numbers look to be a bit off his normal pace, but then again he is playing with a broken jaw. He has three points in his last five games. Defines the term "veteran presence."
11. Brendan Morrison, 35, Calgary Flames, LW
5 of 15
32 Games: 5 G, 14 A, 19 points, +4
Morrison isn't even the oldest forward on his own team (Craig Conroy is 39), but is fourth among all Flames players in points and looks like he could put up similar numbers to last season with Washington.
10. Todd Bertuzzi, 35, Detroit Red Wings, RW
6 of 15
30 Games: 5 G, 15 A, 20 points, +6
The goals are lacking a bit this season, but he is on pace for his best point total in five years and the Red Wings are on top of the West.
9. Saku Koivu, 36, Anaheim Ducks, C
7 of 15
34 Games: 10 G, 7 A, 17 points, -5
He's managed to stay healthy and hold down the Ducks second line this season. Just one point in his last four games, but is still a playmaker and leader on this team. Having a linemate older than him keeps the Geritol jokes pointed at right wing.
8. Steve Sullivan, 36, Nashville Predators, RW
8 of 15
30 Games: 8 G, 10 A, 18 points, +6
Sullivan has two points in his last two games, and is helping the Predators stay in the hunt in the Western Conference. He had the game winner in the shootout win over Columbus this week.
7. Mark Recchi, 42, Boston Bruins, RW
9 of 15
30 Games: 6 G, 13 A, 19 points, +5
Recchi is a great value to the Bruins, who owe him a million dollars for his services this season. Those services include three game-winning goals. He skated in his 1600th career game on Thusday and has moved into 13th place on the all-time scoring leaderboard.
He'll also turn 43 February 1st.
6. Daniel Alfredsson, 38, Ottawa Senators, RW
10 of 15
33 Games: 10 G, 11 A, 21 points, -6
The smooth Swede has three points in his last two games and leads the Senators in goals and points this season.
His plus/minus is shaping up to be his worst since his rookie year back in the 1995-96 season, but the Northeast Division's worst goal differential is not solely his fault.
5. Teemu Selanne, 40, Anaheim Ducks, RW
11 of 15
26 Games: 10 G, 18 A, 28 points, -1
This may be Selanne's swan song with the Ducks. He has been troubled with groin injuries several times so far in his 18th NHL campaign.
However, he is still third on the team in scoring and for a man of his advanced age can still put the puck in the net.
4. Ray Whitney, 38, Phoenix Coyotes, RW
12 of 15
28 Games: 4 G, 17 A, 21 points, +1
Whitney currently has 15 points in his last 14 games with the Coyotes, who signed the veteran winger to a two-year deal this summer.
The elder Coyote is also the team's point leader. He had some issues with his hand early in the season, but now looks healthy and may start finding the net with more consistency.
3. Martin St. Louis, 35, Tampa Bay Lightning, RW
13 of 15
31 Games: 11 G, 26 A, 37 points, +1
St. Louis could potentially log a 100 point season if he stays healthy. He has 18 points in his last 14 games and is third in the league in scoring. He's just behind teammate Steven Stamkos (age 20).
As long as his legs hold up, St. Louis will continue to live up to the terms of his four year extension with the Lightning.
2. Tim Thomas, 36, Boston Bruins, G
14 of 15
21 Games: 14-3-3, 1.63 GAA, .951 Save percentage
Thomas currently leads the league in save percentage and goals against. He wasn't an NHL goalie until the age of 32. Late bloomer, obviously.
1. Nicklas Lindstrom, 40, Detroit Red Wings, D
15 of 15
30 Games: 7 G, 19 A, 26 points, +5
The ageless Swedish wonder scored his first hat trick Thursday night in a 5-2 win over the Blues. The life long Red Wing is on pace for another excellent season, helping to propel Detroit to the top of the Western Conference.
It seems that Lidstrom has been healthy so far this year after battling a knee injury last season. He's one of the smartest players in the league. How long can he keep this up?
Might he have enough strength to hoist a seventh Norris Trophy? Or a fifth Stanley Cup?
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