Nicklas Backstrom and the Best Hockey Hair of the Early 2011-12 NHL Season

Sure, hockey players are known for missing teeth, black eyes and broken noses. But what makes up for all that is their exceptional hair, that players and true fans affectionately refer to as "flow."

Barry Melrose, Jaromir Jagr and Jeremy Roenick come to mind when thinking about some of the most legendary hairstyles of all time in the hockey world. Since, the torch has been passed on to those like Nicklas Backstrom, Roberto Luongo and Mike Babcock.

There's also a fine line between great flow or hockey hair and hair like that seen on former NHL player Chris Simon. 

In the here and now, though, who has the best hockey hair so far this season?

Here's a look at the best hockey hair of the early 2011-12 campaign.

Ryan Smyth

Ryan Smyth consistently sports a great head of hockey hair, as seen here. Now, it's more of a stylized look than the straight-up mullet he donned in years past. The 35-year-old Alberta native just signed a deal to return to the Edmonton Oilers this past summer. 

Steven Stamkos

For the first time in his short, yet impressive career thus far, Steven Stamkos grew out some lengthy flow. The slicked-back look is a classic, and with his skill, there's nothing "Stammer" couldn't pull off. 

Erik Karlsson

Words can't describe Erik Karlsson's flow. Just look for yourselves. Karlsson ranks amongst the league's top hairstyles without a doubt.

Mike Babcock

Normally, I would include Henrik Zetterberg on a list like this, but he recently snipped his hair in favor of a shorter, more clean-cut look. 

Either way, Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock is guaranteed a spot on such a list. His hair is always as stylish as can be. He even has a Facebook page dedicated to it. 

P.A. Parenteau

P.A. Parenteau rocks the classic hockey flow, stylized and brushed back in front. Although the New York Islanders are currently struggling, sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, Parenteau's hair surely is nowhere near struggling. 

Kevin Westgarth

Although he's only played in six games this season, Kevin Westgarth of the Los Angeles Kings sports some of the best hockey hair you'll ever see. 

The sparingly used enforcer is known for dropping his gloves, and providing the Kings with a shift of energy, even if it means disrupting the flow. 

Martin Havlat

Martin Havlat of the San Jose Sharks, No. 9 pictured on the left, has always sported what is arguably the best flow in the game today.

The Czech native wears the stylized slicked-back like it's his job. When he's playing a top-six role for the Sharks, contributing offensively and flying down the wing, it might as well be his job to let the hair flow in the wind. 

Kris Versteeg

Kris Versteeg has never rocked the hockey hair in his career until now, much like Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos.

The Florida Panthers forward now has a great head of hockey hair, and is playing the best hockey of his career arguably. His 25 points through 20 games is the best 20-game start of any Panthers player in franchise history. I think that's a sign that he needs to keep it.

Ryan Jones

Since first entering the league in 2008, Ryan Jones has always rocked the hockey hair proudly, as seen here with the Edmonton Oilers.

Entering his second full season in Oil Country, Jones has one of the greatest manes in the league.

Nicklas Backstrom

Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals might just have the best flow in the entire National Hockey League. Consistently, the Swedish forward rocks the slicked-back blonde locks. Backstrom is looking to bounce back from a down season last year, and is off to a great start with 22 points in 19 games.