NHL Power Rankings: Players of the Decade

The league has changed so much in the past 10 years.

Martin Brodeur surpassed Patrick Roy's record for most regular-season appearances by a goaltender, and who would have thought in 2000 that the Chicago Blackhawks would become Stanley Cup winners 10 years later?

Truth be told, certain players stand out from the rest, and these are the Top 10 players of the decade. 

10. Peter Forsberg

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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 12: Hockey player Peter Forsberg of Sweden answers questions as he is stopped by reporters at the Main Press Centre during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics on February 12, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Get

The Detroit Red Wings had Sergei Fedorov and the Colorado Avalanche had their European superstar, Peter Forsberg. His hands are legendary and dangerous. 

Forsberg's best year during the 2000s was 2002-03. He played on the famous AMP line. Avalanche fans could not ask for a better lineup. Colorado had Alexandre Tanguay and Milan Hejduk assisting Forsberg with goal after goal. Forsberg led the league in points that year with 106 points. He also won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy.

In the 2005-06 season, Colorado was hit hard by the new salary cap. Forsberg decided to not sign with the Avalanche and signed up with the team that originally drafted him, the Philadelphia Flyers. Although Forsberg was injured in the season and only played 60 games, he still managed to get 75 points in the 2005-06 season.

Forsberg was plagued with injuries after the 2006 season and never fully recovered. Perhaps he was injury-prone due to the fact that he always played hockey like he was still a rookie. If Forsberg played a little more conservatively, maybe he would have had better seasons later on in his career, but that would not be Forsberg. He always gave it his all. 

9. Martin St. Louis

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - DECEMBER 11: Martin St Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates during the pre-game warmup prior to NHL action on December 11, 2010 against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Im

Martin St. Louis was the main force behind the Tampa Bay Lightnings' 2004 Stanley Cup Team. In Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in '04, the Calgary Flames forced overtime. Calgary's gritty style of play in 2004 was deadly. They knew how to check and gain control of the puck, and their goaltender, Miikka Kiprusoff, stopped everything. St. Louis gave it his all, and he scored. 

At the end of the 2003-04 season, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award and the Art Ross Trophy. He was the first since Wayne Gretzky to win the Art Ross Trophy, the Stanley Cup and the Hart Memorial Trophy all in the same season.

In 2007 he topped his previous record of 94 points in a season when he scored 102 points. St. Louis has been solid in the 2000s. St. Louis' lowest-earning season was 61 points, back in 2005-06. 

8. Roberto Luongo

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 17: Goaltender Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks takes a breather during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 17, 2010 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Roberto Luongo found his game in the 2000s. When the Florida Panthers acquired Luongo in 2000, he was described as the franchise guy. Luongo was under a lot of pressure to be the face of the franchise, and he delivered, but his full potential was not fulfilled. When the NHL changed the regulation of the goalie pads, Luongo's game improved. 

The smaller pads allowed his butterfly style of goaltending to move quicker than ever. Many goaltenders during this time had to rediscover their game, but Luongo was only improving. In 2004, he received his first nominations for the Vezina Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award for his goaltending. 

Luongo was then traded in a blockbuster trade to the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks were in need of a goaltender, and his debut put him to the test. He made his debut against the Detroit Red Wings on October 5, 2006. He led the Canucks to a 3-1 victory. He quickly became a fan favorite and was named captain in 2007. He was the first goaltender to be named captain in 59 years, though he stepped down from that role in 2010.

Although Luongo has not won a Stanley Cup, he did help Canada win a gold medal in 2010. Canada was off to a rocky start in the Olympics. Martin Brodeur was not producing the way he was expected to and head coach Mike Babcock made the decision to switch and use Luongo. Once Luongo was in net, Canada changed its game and was able to win. 

7. Nicklas Lidstrom

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 23: Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on December 23, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Nicklas Lidstrom is not only the ideal defenceman but one of the most underrated captains during the 2000s. He is not a big checker or a fighter, but he is there to do one thing: stop power forwards from scoring. He is arguably one of the best defensemen of all time. In the 2000s, his game took off.

Lidstrom's defensive game improved dramatically, and the league took notice. He won six Norris Trophies during the 2000s and has been to almost all of the All-Star games. He has won two Stanley Cups, serving as captain in one of them.

Lidstrom broke many records during the decade:

- First European Norris Trophy winner (2000–01).

- First European-born and trained captain of a Stanley Cup-winning team (2008).

- First European-born and trained defenseman to reach 1000 points.

- Sixth defenseman (and 28th player overall) to reach 800 career assists.

- Most games played by European (1412).

- Most games played by a defenseman in a career spent with one team (1412)

- Oldest player to record his first hat trick (40 years old)

- Oldest defenseman to record a hat trick (40 years old)

He may be getting old and not putting up the numbers he used to, but he is still one of the best in the NHL.

6. Dany Heatley

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 08: Dany Heatley #15 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 8, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sharks defeat the Flyers 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Gett

In the early 2000s, Heatley was a top rookie forward. By the late 2000s he was one of the league's best scorers. He entered the league on a high winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie. After a tragic car accident in 2003, Heatley requested a trade from the Atlanta Thrashers and was dealt to the Ottawa Senators in the 2006-05 season. 

In Ottawa he accelerated as a player. He joined the team and formed "the Pizza line" with teammates Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. The Senators were already a powerhouse, and adding Heatley was a perfect fit. In his first season as a Senator, he surpassed his Thrashers record and scored 50 goals, with 53 assists, for 103 points. He broke the Senators' team record and was the first to score 50 goals in a single season. The next season he surpassed his record by scoring 50 goals notching 55 assists for 105 points. He broke another team record for the most points by a single player in a season.

Heatley helped the Senators get to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time. The Ducks defense proved too much for the Senators, though, and they lost.

Heatley made a request to leave Ottawa in 2009. On September 12, 2009, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He joined the Sharks All-Star filled lineup. The Sharks seemed to have as many All-Stars as the Red Wings, and the trade only increased the chances for San Jose to win a cup. In his first season as a Shark, he scored 39 goals, with 43 assists, for 82 points. 

Heatley found himself in a Conference Final yet again, but Chicago's offense proved to be too much for the Sharks. Heatley is setting up his fellow teammates instead of getting the goal, and as a result he is a better team player.

5. Ilya Kovalchuk

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NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 12: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils takes a break during warmups before a hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at the Prudential Center on November 12, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Image

The New Jersey Devils lucked out when they acquired Ilya Kovalchuk from the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009-10 season. Kovalchuk gained attention right from the start when he entered the NHL in 2001-02. He played 65 games and was able to score 51 points. Things only improved from there. 

In his second season he was able to score 41 goals, tying Jarome Iginla and Rick Nash for the most goals in the league. After the NHL lockout in 2005, Kovalchuck returned to the Thrashers and was the first Thrasher to score 50 goals in a single season. That year he finished third in NHL in scoring. 

During the 2006-07 season he scored 46 goals and 34 assists for 76 points. This was the first season that he dropped points from the previous season. Despite this, the Thrashers for the first time in their franchise history made the playoffs. Atlanta lost in the first round to the New York Rangers, but history was made, and Kovalchuk got his first taste of what it was like to have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. 

Atlanta lost its captain, Bobby Holik, to the New Jersey Devils in the 2008-09 season. Atlanta was without a captain, and on January 11, 2009, Kovalchuk was named Holik's successor. It was rumored that year Atlanta was having difficulty re-signing Kovalchuk. While captain, he was able to get a 91-point season. Making him captain looked like a sign that he was there to stay; however, things did not last long.

Kovalchuk's contract was expiring, and the Thrashers were not getting any closer to an agreement. Rather than losing him to the free agency, Atlanta decided to trade him. On February 4, 2010, the deal was final, and the New Jersey Devils were able to obtain him in trade for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier and a first-round draft pick (2010).

After the 2009-10 season was over, New Jersey was able to keep their new superstar. Kovalchuk always finds a way to score, making him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league. 

4. Evgeni Malkin

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 06: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins warms up before the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on November 6, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Penguins defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in an overtime shootout

Without Evgeni Malkin, the Pittsburgh Penguins would probably be without a Cup. The Penguins do have Sidney Crosby, but Malkin was the key to their 2009 Stanley Cup victory. During the 2009 Stanley Cup run, Malkin had 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points in 24 games. Everyone was keeping an eye on Sidney Crosby during the playoffs, leaving Malkin to score. As a result, he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, and he was the first Russian-born player to win it.

His success was not only in the playoffs but in the regular season, as well. In his rookie season alone he had 85 points and scored at least one goal in his first six games. The last time somebody achieved this was in the 1917-18 season. Malkin won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top rookie in 2006-07. 

In his second season he helped the Penguins to get to the Stanley Cup. They were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings, but Malkin took this in stride and learned from it. The next season he was back for a rematch, and history was made. 

Malkin has only played in the NHL for five years. Within those five years he has accomplished so much. Some of his accomplishments include:

- Calder Memorial Trophy (2007)

- World Championship All-Star Team (2007, 2010)

- Art Ross Trophy (2009)

- 2009 Stanley Cup champion  

- 2009 playoff scoring leader

- Conn Smythe Trophy  (2009) 

- Longest point streak by a Russian player in the NHL (15 games)

- Most consecutive postseason games with multiple points for the Pittsburgh Penguins (six games)

Malkin is the other half to Crosby, and the two of them together equal one powerful Pittsburgh team. 

3. Alexander Ovechkin

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 01: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates a goal against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on December 1, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Capitals beat the Blues 4-1. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty I

No one person has changed the face of the Washington Capital hockey more than Alexander Ovechkin. His quick hands and speed are deadly. In his 2005-06 rookie season he scored 106 points. He led all rookies in shots, goals, points and power-play goals. He was a clear candidate and winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie. 

Ovechkin quickly became not only a Capitals' favorite but a league favorite. He was awarded the key to the city in Washington D.C. and was put on the cover of an EA video game. 

In his second season he scored 46 goals, with 46 assists, for 92 points. After the accomplishment of his first season, he was voted in and appeared in the NHL All-Star Game. The Capitals signed Ovechkin to a 13-year contract in 2008 and with good reason. He has won the Calder Memorial Trophy, Kharlamov Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award, the Art Ross Trophy and Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. The only thing Ovechkin has not won is a Stanley Cup.

His numbers continue to grow, and in the years to come he is headed for greatness.

2. Martin Brodeur

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NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 15: Goalie Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils enjoys a laugh during warmups before a hockey game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Prudential Center on December 15, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Get

There are two goalies who stand out as the best in the NHL. Those goalies are Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur. Brodeur is currently the record holder for regular season wins, shutouts and games played. His style cannot be matched or compared. When it comes to goaltending, most goalies either use the traditional standup or butterfly techniques. Brodeur uses both.

He has spent his entire career with the New Jersey Devils organization, and not many goaltenders can say that. In 2009 Brodeur broke Patrick Roy's records, including:

- Most career wins, +551.

- Most playoff shutouts, tying Patrick Roy (23).

- Most minutes played (60,235+ minutes).

- Most games played (1,029)

He even broke Terry Sawchuk's longtime record of most regular-season shutouts of 103. He began the 2000s with a Stanley Cup ring and was headed for greatness. He helped Team Canada win its first gold medal in hockey in more than 50 years. He followed that up with another gold medal in 2010. 

When the NHL decided to make the trapezoid rule to prevent goalies from playing the puck behind the net, former Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke signaled out Brodeur. Brodeur was a master of playing the puck behind the net. 

Brodeur won two Stanley Cups (2000 and 2003) in the 2000s. He surpassed longtime rival Patrick Roy's record and secured his place in hockey history as the best goalie of all time, and his record should be safe for a long time.  

1. Sidney Crosby

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 16: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores at 4:37 of the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Flyers 5-1.

Love him or hate him, you have to admit the kid has talent. Sidney Crosby entered the league with high expectations, and for good reason. Crosby had the talent, and he knew he had to deliver. In his rookie season (2005-06) he scored 39 goals, with 63 assists, for 102 points. He was not the youngest player to have scored 100 points in a season but was the first to have 100 points and 100 penalty minutes in one season. 

Crosby learned from his first season and improved in his second. He finished the season with 36 goals and 84 assists. Not since the days of Wayne Gretzky had a teenager lead the league in scoring. He was only 19 years old at the time, and he was already making history. With the addition of Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, the Pittsburgh Penguins made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Although the Penguins lost, Crosby was named captain on May 31, 2007. He became the youngest team captain in NHL history. 

That year he won the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award. He became the youngest player to win the Lester B. Pearson Award and the second-youngest behind Gretzky to win the Hart Memorial. 

The 2007-08 season would prove that Crosby could lead. He led the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup appearance since 1992 when Mario Lemieux led the team. Pittsburgh was the underdog, but the Pens did have hope. They had a new power forward named Marian Hossa. The Finals started, and the Penguins put up a fight but fell to the Detroit Red Wings, and a rivalry was born. 

The following season Crosby had 103 points entering the playoffs and returned to the Stanley Cup Finals against Detroit. In an epic seven-game match, Crosby finally got his Stanley Cup. He was the youngest captain to win a Cup in NHL history. Crosby has won many awards, but none are as great as that first Stanley Cup. 

In five short years, Crosby has become a player to be reckoned with.