NHL Playoff Predictions 2011: 20 Players Who'll Grow Sweet Playoff Beards

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin this week and each first round matchup looks to provide entertaining hockey.

If that's not enough for fans though, it also is the beginning of the league-wide Beard-A-Thon. It’s a tradition in the NHL once the playoffs start to not shave until either your team loses or wins the Cup.

It’s always fun to see which players will grow the biggest and best beards and the ones who can barely grow anything (we're looking at you Alexander Semin).

Then, there's the in-betweens: the players that grow some, but it comes in patchy areas (Sidney Crosby being the obvious example of this).

This list is going to focus on the fullest beards: the guys who look like they could step off the ice and onto a Brawny label. 

Here are 20 players who will grow awesome playoff beards this year.

20. Chris Drury

The New York Rangers found out this weekend that they will be the eighth seed in the playoffs, thanks in large part to contributions from their captain Chris Drury.

Another notable contribution of Drury's: his playoff beard.

It probably won't come out as well as in the picture unless the Rangers can make it past the first round or two of the playoffs, but anything is possible.

19. Rob Niedermayer

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 06: Rob Niedermayer #44 of the Anaheim Ducks and brother Scott Niedermayer #27 pose with Scott's sons Logan, Jackson and Josh and the Stanley Cup after their team's victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game Five of the n June 6, 2007 at

The Niedermayers can grow awesome playoff beards. Elder brother Scott obviously grew one of the best ones, even with the gray hairs interspersed in it.

We'll be without Scott Niedermayer's beard this year, as he retired last summer.

Luckily, we will still have the younger Niedermayer, Rob, to fall back on. Rob now plays for the Buffalo Sabres.  

18. Nigel Dawes

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MAY 6: Nigel Dawes #10 of the New York Rangers skates against the Buffalo Sabres in Game Six of the 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 6, 2007 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Sabres won 5-4 to win the series 4-2. (Photo b

Nigel Dawes' team may have changed (he now plays for the Montreal Canadiens), but I'm assuming his ability to grow a full beard has not.

By the looks of it, Dawes will grow a pretty nice beard this playoff season.

17. Ed Jovanovski

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 27: Ed Jovanovski #55 of the Phoenix Coyotes warms up before Game Seven of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on April 27, 2010 in Glendale,

When Ed Jovanovski grows a beard, it makes him look distinguished.

He could look even more distinguished if Phoenix can go far in this year's playoffs.

16. Rick Rypien

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - MAY 11: Rick Rypien #37 of the Vancouver Canucks attempts to control the puck against Brian Campbell #51 and Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs

This picture isn't the best reflection of Rick Rypien's playoff beard, however you can see a glimpse of the fullness.

If Vancouver does well in the playoffs, as expected, he'll grow an even better beard.

15. Shea Weber

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 26: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators stretches prior to a game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 26, 201

Shea Weber has been able to grow a respectable beard, despite not getting past the first round.

Imagine what it could be, if they went farther, although that may not happen this year since they're facing Anaheim.

14. Brooks Laich

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - MAY 11: Brooks Laich #21 of the Washington Capitals sidesteps a hit by Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Mellon Arena on May 11, 2009 in P

Brooks Laich's beard comes in red, which makes it awesome.

This means that he's rocking the red, along with fans.

13. Brian Campbell

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 09: Brian Campbell #51 of the Chicago Blackhawks hoists the Stanley Cup after teammate Patrick Kane scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 and win the Stanley Cup in Game Six of the 2010 NHL Sta

Brian Campbell had one of the best beards on the Chicago Blackhawks by the end of their Stanley Cup run.

The Blackhawks just made the playoffs, which means we'll get at least one series to watch Campbell's beard come in.

12. Todd Marchant

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 05: Goaltender Chris Osgood #30 of the Detroit Red Wings defends the goal against Todd Marchant #22 of the Anaheim Ducks in the first period of Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the

Todd Marchant can grow a nice beard, as evidenced by the picture.

We'll be treated to his this postseason as well.

11. Joe Thornton

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - MAY 21: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks moves the puck while taking on the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on May 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illin

After the San Jose Sharks' season ends, Joe Thornton will return to his job as a lumberjack.

All kidding aside, that's a pretty awesome beard.

10. Kris Draper

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

DETROIT - MAY 10: Kris Draper #33 of the Detroit Red Wings is talked to by linesman Jean Morin after a scrum in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Joe Louis Arena on May 10, 2008 in

Kris Draper has an awesome beard.

Enough said.

9. Brian Gionta

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 24: Brian Gionta #21 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 24, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvani

Brian Gionta can grow a pretty good beard.

This picture does not do it justice.

8. Kimmo Timonen

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 04: Kimmo Timonen #44 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates with his teammates in Game Four of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at Wachovia Center on June 4, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

I never would have expected Kimmo Timonen's beard to come in as full as it does.

I first saw it last year during a press conference. I didn't even recognize him at first. It's an awesome beard.

7. Todd Bertuzzi

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT - MAY 4: Douglas Murray #3 and Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the San Jose Sharks defend against Todd Bertuzzi #44 of the Detroit Red Wings in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on May 4

That's Todd Bertuzzi and his beard.

I guess we've found the Brawny man.

6. Karl Alzner

Karl Alzner's awesome beard is unexpected since he's so young. This was his beard from the Calder Cup playoffs in the AHL.

He'll easily have the Caps best beard this year.

5. Roberto Luongo

That's Vancouver Canucks' goaltender Roberto Luongo showing off his beard.

Imagine how much better it will be Vancouver reaches the SCF, as a lot of people expect them to.

4. Henrik Zetterberg

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT - MAY 27: Henrik Zetterberg #40 (R) of the Detroit Red Wings recieves the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl from NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Jim Gregory after the Red Wings won 2-1 in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game

Henrik Zetterberg is the last Red Wing on the list.

The Red Wings, in general, have great playoff beards and Zetterberg is no exception.

3. Ryan Malone

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - MAY 18: Ryan Malone #12 of the Pittsburgh Penguins speaks during his post-game press conference after his team's victory over the Philadelphia Flyers 6-0 to win game five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

We haven't gotten a chance to see Ryan Malone's beard in a couple years since the Lightning haven't made the playoffs.

Luckily they're there this year and we'll get to see Malone's beard again.

2. Max Talbot

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - MAY 31: Maxime Talbot #25 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action during game four of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings at Mellon Arena on May 31, 2008 in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. The Red Wings defeated the Penguins

Max Talbot truly has one of the greatest playoff beards of all time.

Not the greatest though.

1. Scott Hartnell

Andre Ringuette/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 8: Scott Hartnell #19 of the Philadelphia Flyers flips a puck from a kneeling position during practice for the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Wachovia Center on June 8, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Get

That honor belongs to Scott Hartnell.

That face will haunt children's dreams.