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2009-10 NHL Season Predictions - Eastern Conference

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:04:35 +0000

Okay, the other day I put together my rankings and 2009-10 NHL season predictions for the Western Conference. I managed to get that one in under the wire before the puck drop October 1st. However, I have been pretty busy watching, listening to, reading about, and basically living hockey for the past few days so I am a few days behind on getting my Eastern Conference preview up. Sorry 'bout that.

Keep in mind that these rankings don't necessarily reflect how I expect the actually standings to wind up. The NHL's silly rule that division winners are automatically ranked in the top 3 in the conference will mess with the standings. This list simply ranks the teams from best to worst (in my opinion). Without further ado, here are my NHL Eastern Conference power rankings.

1st - Washington Capitals

Though it may come to a surprise to some to find the Capitals ranked at the top of the heap I believe this is the year that Alexander Ovechkin will really establish himself as a true leader. He has been an NHL superstar since game one of his rookie season, and no one can question his desire to win. However, I think that watching Sidney Crosby lead his team to a Stanley Cup victory last season has taught Ovechkin that it will take more than his incredible individual skill to capture hockey's ultimate prize. I think he will be a better leader both on and off the ice, and he will elevate the intensity and will to win of fellow stars like Mike Green, Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom.

The one big question for Washington is their goaltending. If Semyon Varlamov can live up to the potential that he showed in last year's playoffs this Washington team will really be a force to be reckoned with and has to be considered one of the most dangerous Stanley Cup contenders.

2nd - Boston Bruins

The team that was the "Beast of the East" last season slips to number 2 in the rankings in my mind. Not necessarily because they are any worse, just that I think Washington will improve significantly. However, the Boston Bruins had a lot of things go right last season, including an incredible year by goaltender Tim Thomas and unexpected contributions from guys like David Krejci and Blake Wheeler. If Thomas can duplicate his Vezina Trophy winning season, Zdeno Chara can continue to be a force at both ends of the ice and their young players like Milan Lucic, Krejci, and Wheeler can continue to improve the Bruins will once again be a handful for any team that matches up against them.

The loss of budding star Phil Kessel is an area of concern for Bruins fans. He led the team in goals last year with 36. However with a healthy Marco Sturm, and with Patrice Bergeron fully recovered from the devastating concussion he suffered a few years back the loss of Kessel might be insignificant.

3rd - Philadelphia Flyers

In my mind there really isn't anything to choose between the Flyers and the team I have ranked 4th (spoiler: It's the Penguins), and the two could easily be reversed. I do believe the Flyers will be significantly improved from last year, for several reasons.

First and foremost in the acquisition of former Norris and Hart Trophy winning defenseman, Chris Pronger. Yes, Pronger is on the downslope of his impressive career, but he is still one of the league's premier rearguards, is a physical force, and plays huge minutes in all situations. Between Pronger, Kimmo Timmonen, and up and coming star Braydon Coburn the Flyers are solid on the back end.

Up front they are looking just as good. Their young stars like Mike Richards and Jeff Carter will be even better this season, and established stars like Simon Gagne and Daniel Briere will give the Flyers plenty of offensive depth that will give opposing coaches nightmares if they try to match lines.

The big question mark, as it always seems to be with the Flyers, is in goal. The off-season acquisition of Ray Emery did little to ease the minds of frustrated Flyers fans, who've been waiting since the days of Ron Hextall for the team to acquire a bona fide star goaltender. However, Emery has taken a team to the Stanley Cup Finals in the past, and he has the skill set to get the job done. His problems tend to be of the off-ice variety and it remains to be seen if he can focus on the job at hand without being a distraction for his teammates.

4th - Pittsburgh Penguins

There is little question that the top half of the Eastern Conference standings will be a logjam, and any of the 4 teams I've listed so far could finish on top. The Pittsburgh Penguins are of course the defending Stanley Cup champions, and boast not one, but two of the game's biggest superstars in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Both of these guys will be in a battle with Ovechkin for the Hart and Art Ross trophies this season.

With a supporting cast that includes Jordan Staal, Sergei Gonchar, Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz the Pens have plenty of firepower and should have no problem putting the puck in the net. Scoring has never really been the issue in Pittsburgh though. When they've stumbled the past few years it has always been the inability to keep the puck out of their own net that was the cause.

With his clutch performance in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals last year, Marc-Andre Fleury has almost certainly banished any demons that had been haunting him since the early days of his career. He is arguably the most athletic goalie in the league, and with some structure and better positional play he has matured into one of the NHL's premier goalkeepers. As long as there is no backslide to his game this season the Pens have to be considered a strong threat to repeat as Stanley Cup champs.

5th - New Jersey Devils

With Martin Brodeur between the pipes the Devils are going to be a threat each and every night. With the most regular season wins in NHL history, Terry Sawchuk's record for career shutouts firmly in his sights, 3 Stanley Cup rings and 4 Vezina Trophies on his mantle Brodeur is making a strong case as the best goalie of all time. However, no matter how good a goalie is he needs some help and though the Devils might not be the most offensive talented teams on this list, stars like Zach Parise, Patrick Elias, Travis Zajac, and Brian Rolston the Devils should score enough goals to squeak out plenty of victories this season.

With the return of defensive guru Jacques Lemaire as their head coach the Devils should be even more adept than usual at keeping the puck out of their net. Look for Brodeur to have a stellar statistical season this year.

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John Tavares Scores Goal In First NHL Game

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:41:02 +0000

Though a player's first game is obviously not going to be indicative of an entire career, there is something to be said for getting things started off right. Tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins John Tavares joined players like Islanders legend Mike Bossy and Penguins great Mario Lemieux by scoring in his first NHL game. As of this writing Tavares is on an 82 goal pace this season. Watch out Ovechkin, you've got some competition for the Rocket Richard Trophy this year! I'll have the video of Tavare's first NHL goal up later tonight.

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Andrei Markov Suffers Devastating Injury - Out 3-4 Months

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:08:01 +0000

Andrei Markov

Despite the fact that the Canadiens opened up their season on a positive note, getting a clutch performance in goal from Carey Price and a last minute overtime goal from Josh Gorges to defeat the arch nemesis Toronto Maple Leafs last night, there is nothing but doom and gloom in the city of Montreal today.

After a seemingly innocuous collision with goaltender Carey Price, the Habs #1 defenseman, and arguably the best player on their roster limped off the ice following the tangle up. Well, it turns out it was not such a harmless collision after all as it was revealed today that Andrei Markov suffered a torn tendon in his ankle, will have to have surgery to repair said tendon, and will be out until after the Olympic break.

The news is an absolutely devastating for the Habs. Predicted to be a bubble playoff team, the Habs' chances of making the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs just took a huge hit. Markov quarterbacks their powerplay, by far their leading scorer from the back end, their best puck-moving defenseman, and the key to jump-starting their offense, and he plays in all crucial situations. In others words, he cannot be replaced.

Now, no doubt GM Bob Gainey, coach Jacques Martin and the players will feed media and fans the usual stuff about how injuries are part of the game, and everybody will have to be a little bit better to overcome the loss of their best player. However, those are just empty words - Markov's absence leaves a gaping hole on the blueline and in the locker room, and there is no getting around that.

So what is the solution? If the team can hold it together for the first month of the season there is no reason for Gainey to press the panic button. However, if the team shows signs it can't properly function without Markov then Gainey will have no choice but try to improve the situation via the trade route. A terrible month of October might very well be the difference between the club making the playoffs, or missing the post-season for the second straight season, an event that would have fans in the city of Montreal howling for blood.

However it plays out there can be no denying that Montreal just became an easier team to play against, and goaltender Carey Price, who looked so good in the opening game against Toronto, is going to have to be just as good going forward to give his team a chance to win without their star.

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2009-10 NHL Season Predictions - Western Conference

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:32:31 +0000

Nothing like leaving it to the last minute With the puck set to drop on the NHL season in less than 2 hours, I figured I should get my butt in gear and put together my 200-10 NHL season predictions. I'll break down how I expect the teams to finish in the Western Conference (I'll do the Eastern Conference tomorrow). This has become a much more difficult job in this age of parity, but I shall endeavor to do my best. At the end of the season I will revisit this post and see just how right (or wrong) I was.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1st - Vancouver Canucks

I know that many hockey pundits are predicting the San Jose Sharks or perennial Stanley Cup contenders the Detroit Red Wings to capture first place in the Western Conference. Ever the contrarian I picked the Nucks to take the honors this year. With a healthy Roberto Luongo in net and a defensive core that is the envy of the league the Canucks will be an absolute nightmare for opposing teams to score against. Up front look for the Sedin twins, fresh off signing a new long term deal to have their best season yet, and for players like Kyle Wellwood, Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler to have career years. Last, but not least, look for off-season acquisition Mikael Samuelsson to have a big impact. In limited minutes with a deep Detroit Red Wings team Samuelsson still put up respectable offensive totals. In an increased role with the Canucks he should have his best offensive season to date. With a stingy defense and an improved offense the Vancouver Canucks should have what it takes to capture the Western Conference title.

2 - San Jose Sharks

Few teams in the league have performed as consistently in the regular season than the San Jose Sharks, and the 2009-10 season shouldn't be an exception. With the acquisition of Dany Heatley from the Ottawa Senators the Sharks now boast the most deadly one-two punch in the league. With Joe Thornton dishing him soft passes all season long Heatley should absolutely light it up this season. Look for him to eclipse the 50 goal mark for the third time in his career.

However, the Sharks have plenty of assets beyond those two superstars to challenge for tops in the conference. With Evgeni Nabokov in net, Dan Boyle and veteran Rob Blake anchoring the blue line, and a supporting cast up front that includes Patrick Marleau, Devon Setoguchi, Ryan Clowe and Joe Pavelski the Sharks have a balanced attack that should have them near the top of the league in goal scoring.

3 - Chicago Blackhawks

Yes, there's the contrarian in me coming out again. While most in the hockey world are giving the Detroit Red Wings the Central Division title I believe it will be the Blackhawks year to finally dethrone the mighty winged wheel. With young stars like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook all moving closer to their primes, look for the Blackhawks to improve on their 104 point total of last season. The Hawks have an embarrassment of good young talent, and the only question mark surrounding this team is their goaltending. With the departure of Nikolai Khabibulin to the Edmonton Oilers, the number one guy between the pipes is Cristobal Huet. If he can live up to the promise he showed in the past as a member of the Montreal Canadiens the Hawks could be a strong contender for the Stanley Cup come this spring.

4 - Calgary Flames

Speaking of defensive cores that are the envy of the league, the Calgary Flames have more than their fair share of stallions in their blueline stable. In the off-season they nabbed prized free agent puck-moving defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. With the addition of Bouwmeester the Flames have 3 defensemen that could arguably make Team Canada's Olympic team this February, as Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr are all getting strong consideration from Steve Yzerman et al. If Miikka Kiprusoff can return to form this year opposing teams will have a hell of a time bulging the twine this season.

Up front the Flames will once again be led by their captain, Jarome Iginla. Look for Iggy to improve upon his 35 goal total from last season. However, the big key to the Flames' offense will be Olli Jokinen. If he can live up to the huge expectations that came with him when he was traded from the Phoenix Coyotes at the deadline last season then he will take some of the pressure off Iginla and help the Flames challenge the Canucks for the Northwest division title.

5 - Detroit Red Wings

Yes, for the first time in a long time the Detroit Red Wings could find themselves without home ice advantage when the puck drops on the 2010 NHL playoffs. Yes they still have 2 of the best two-way forwards in the league in the slickly skilled tandem of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. However, they lost some of their depth as Mikael Samuelsson signed with Vancouver, and Jiri Hudler defected to the KHL. The signing of Todd Bertuzzi will do little to offset the impact of losing Samuelsson and Hudler.

On defense perennial Norris Trophy candidate Nicklas Lidstrom is another year older, as is goaltender Chris Osgood, and fatigue could start to become a factor as the season progresses.

The greatest reason for Detroit's fall will be due to the improvement of the other teams in their division. In years past the Wings absolutely feasted on their weak sisters in the Central Division. However, with the improvement of the Blackhawks, Blues and Blue Jackets the Wings are going to work much harder for every point they get in inter-divisional match-ups this season.

6 - Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks came within a whiskers' breadth of taking out the Detroit Red Wings in last spring's playoffs, and the 2007 Stanley Cup champions might just be the dark horse in the Western Conference race. With a first line that boasts Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan the Ducks have one of the best lines in the league, and with their combination of skill and grit they will be all but uncontainable in the offensive zone.

The off-season acquisitions of Saku Koivu and Joffrey Lupul, and the return of the Finnish Flash Teemu Selanne will give some balance to the Ducks' attack, and with Scott Niedermayer on the back end making the first pass the Ducks will be deadly in transition.

However, the Ducks did suffer some losses in the off-season, losing both Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin to the Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs respectively the Ducks are significantly weakened on defense, and Niedermayer will be hard-pressed to fill the void left by those two. However, as long as goalie sensation Jonas Hiller can continue to improve the Ducks should still be able to outscore the opposition more often than not.

7 - St. Louis Blues

With a core of young talent that rivals teams like Chicago and Washington the St. Louis Blues could play spoiler on many nights, and should make the playoffs this year with room to spare. With a group of young stars like T.J. Oshie, David Backes, Patrick Berglund, David Perron and Erik Johnson the future looks very bright indeed for a Blues team that has struggled for several seasons now. Veterans like Paul Kariya, Keith Tkachuk and Barrett Jackman will bring veteran leadership to the group, and Kariya and Tkachuk should still be regular contributors on the score sheet.

As with several other teams it will ultimately be goaltending that decides how the Blues fare this season. Chris Mason has shown flashes of brilliance in his relatively brief NHL career. If he can find his A game this year the Blues will be a team that no one will want to face come playoff time.

8 - Columbus Blue Jackets

This was the toughest pick to make. I really like the potential of the Los Angeles Kings, but ultimately it was goaltending that gave Columbus the nod. In sophomore Steve Mason the Blue Jackets have a goalie that will be in the conversation with Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo as the NHL's best goalie for years to come. He was absolutely phenomenal in his rookie campaign and boasting a poise and a confidence belying his young age there is no reason to believe that he won't be even better this year.

Rick Nash, freshly signed to a long-term deal, should be poised to have his best offensive year to date. Firmly in his prime and challenging for a spot on Team Canada's Olympic roster Nash will be more of a handful than ever for opposing defenders.

And don't forget Ken Hitchcock. The Blue Jackets might not be blessed with an abundance of offensive talent, but their coach knows how to get the most out of his players on the defensive side of the puck. With Mason in net, look for the Jackets to win a lot of low scoring games again this season.

9 - Los Angeles Kings

As I said above it was a tough call predicting the Kings wouldn't quite manage to squeeze into the playoffs. I'm just not sold on goaltender Jonathan Quick yet. However, if Quick can prove me wrong, and plays well consistently the Kings could surprise a lot of people in the Western Conference. With offensive stars like Anze Kopitar, Alexander Frolov, Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty the Kings should have no problem putting the puck in the net. If they can do a better job of keeping the biscuit out of their own basket they could definitely overtake the Jackets for that coveted eighth and final playoff position.

10 - Edmonton Oilers

Beyond the acquisition of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin the Oilers haven't done a great deal to change up the roster that missed the playoffs last year, so it is hard to imagine the Oilers making the playoffs this season. Granted, they've made a major coaching change, bringing in veteran coaches Pat Quinn and Tom Renney to guide the team, and this move might help their young players improve incrementally. However, the teams they are chasing have improving young players as well, so there is little chance of the Oilers will squeak into this year's playoffs.

11 - Nashville Predators

It's hard to believe that a few short years ago the Predators were one of the best teams in the Western Conference and were considered by many as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. It just goes to show how fast a team can fall in this era when there is so much parity in the NHL. With a defensive core that boasts Shea Weber, Dan Hamhuis and Ryan Suter the Preds are looking okay, but up front they have more questions than answers. Players like Steve Sullivan and Jason Arnott are starting to get long in the tooth, and though guys like David Legwand, Martin Erat and J.P. Dumont are decent in support, overall they just don't have the offensive depth to challenge for a playoff spot.

The one silver lining for Nashville fans might be in goal, where Pekka Rinne seemingly came out of nowhere to scoop the number one job last season. If he can continue to improve and post as many shutouts as he did last season he will help keep Nashville in the hunt to potentially challenge for 8th spot in the conference.

12 - Dallas Stars

This is a hard team to get a handle on, and the Dallas Stars might wind up finishing significantly higher than the 12th place spot I've allotted them. At 39 years of age Mike Modano is clearly in the twilight of his career, but with Brad Richards, Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro all in the prime of their careers there is plenty of potential there. Also up front they have young players with plenty of potential of their own. Loui Eriksson and James Neal both exceeded expectations last season, and junior sniper Jamie Benn was a standout in the pre-season.

On defense the picture is a little murkier. Defending by committee might be the motto of this group as there really isn't a bona fide top pairing among them.

Ultimately it will likely be the play of Marty Turco that decides if the Stars can bounce back this season. Turco had an off year by his standards last season with a 2.81 GAA and a woeful .898 save percentage. He'll have to be a whole lot better if the Stars want to get back to the playoffs.

13 - Minnesota Wild

I have a feeling the next few seasons aren't going to be much fun for Minnesota Wild fans. With the departure of defensive coaching guru Jacques Lemaire the club is left with a roster that doesn't really suit the up-tempo style that new coach Todd Richards promises. New-comer Martin Havlat can be a force, but only if he can stay healthy. Strangely ironic that the Wild would finally get rid of one fragile star in Marian Gaborik only to snatch up another in Martin Havlat.

The ace in the hole for the wild is Finnish goaltending sensation Niklas Backstrom. Over the past 3 seasons Backstrom has been among the league leaders in GAA and save percentage, and has single-handedly won several games for the Wild over that stretch. He will be a lot busier with the departure of Jacques Lemaire. If he can handle the increased workload the transitional process might not be quite so painful for fans.

14 - Colorado Avalanche

Once a perennial powerhouse the once mighty Avalanche have fallen on hard times indeed. It is little wonder that Joe Sakic decided to call it a career, as the immediate future looks pretty bleak for the Avs. Beyond the budding superstardom of Paul Stastny and the potential of the 3rd overall draft pick Matt Duschene, there is little for Avs fans to get excited about in the near future, and those who remember the glory days of Sakic, Forsberg, Blake and Roy are going to have to live on those memories for a while yet. The Avs will only avoid the basement of the Western Conference because the team that I've got pegged to finish 15th is such a mess.

15 - Phoenix Coyotes

It is a shame for fans and players of the Phoenix Coyotes that their team is in such turmoil. The franchise has been caught in the middle of a lengthy legal battle between multiple parties for months and has seen head coach Wayne Gretzky move on in recent days. In fact the future of hockey in Arizona is very much in doubt. With all these clouds hanging over their heads it is pretty unreasonable to expect the players on the team to be able to go about business as usual at the rink without becoming more than a little distracted.

Even if everything was rosy in Phoenix on the business side this is a team that would struggle to make the playoffs. Sure they have some potential in young players like Peter Mueller, Martin Hanzal and Mikkel Boedker, but those players aren't quite there yet, and veterans like Shane Doan and Ed Jovanovski cannot shoulder the entire load by themselves.

Hopefully all the confusion surrounding the franchise will eventually be ironed out and whether they stay in Phoenix or move to another hockey market they can once again contend for a playoff spot in a few years.

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Best Hockey Players of All Time - Top 50 Greatest NHL Stars Ever

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:24:37 +0000

This list of the top 50 greatest NHL hockey players of all time is bound to create some controversy. NHL hockey is nearly a century old, and few people alive today have been around since the birth of the league. Around the water cooler we banter about who was the best, and our views are often biased towards players on our favorite teams. When I set out to create this list I had it in mind to try and be as objective as possible, and I hope I achieved that goal. There are a few things to note before I begin. First of all, there are no goalies on this list. In my opinion the goal position is so radically different from the defense or forward position that it is impossible to compare the men who tend the nets with those who wander the ice freely. Also, though you will see some active players on the list, none without at least a decade of NHL experience will appear. With career numbers and longevity both factors in building the list, newer players just haven’t established enough of a resume to warrant their inclusion. Barring major health problems there is no doubt Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin will one occupy high spots on this list, but with only a few years of NHL experience under their belts they will still have to wait a few years to get their due. With those exceptions noted here are my picks for the best NHL players of all time:

50 – Sergei Fedorov

Sergei Fedorov

Some might raise eyebrows at Fedorov’s inclusion on this list. Fans who’ve begun to follow the sport only recently have only seen him as a role player in the twilight of his career. However, at his peak in the mid-90s, he was arguably the best two-way player in the game, winning a pair of Selke Trophies as the NHL’s best defensive forward, as well as a Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP. He was a key component of the Detroit Red Wings team that won two Stanley Cups in the 1990s, and his skating prowess, his vision on the ice and his incredible hockey sense at both ends of the ice made this Russian superstar the complete package.

49 – Bernie Geoffrion

Bernie Geoffrion

The man they called Boom Boom is most famous with popularizing the slapshot, but he was also a major reason why the Canadiens won a record-setting 5 consecutive Stanley Cups in the late 50s. In the 1960-61 season he became only the second player in NHL history (after teammate Maurice Richard) to score 50 goals in a single season, and fell just 7 goals shy of notching 400 in his Hall of Fame career.

48 – Ron Francis

Ron Francis

Underrated his entire career, there will no doubt be some who protest this franchise player’s inclusion on the list of the greatest NHL hockey players. However, even ignoring the many intangibles this guy brought to the rink just by pure numbers alone he deserves to be recognized among the game’s greats. As every hockey fan worth their salt knows Wayne Gretzky is the all time leader in career assists. Who’s second? That’s right, Ron Francis. With 1,249 career helpers and 1,798 career points he ranks higher than most of the people ahead of him on this list. However, points alone don’t make a great player. Francis also delivered when it really counted, and Mario Lemieux will tell you Francis was a huge reason why the Penguins won back to back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 92.

47 – Brad Park

Brad Park

Though the forwards might get all the glory, it is the rocks on the back end that are the true backbone of any great team. Brad Park was not only great in his own end, he was also pretty darn good on the offensive side of the puck, racking up points with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings during his career. When the dust settled he had 896 points in 1,113 career games. As good as Park was he never won a Norris Trophy, mostly due to the fact that Bobby Orr was racking up 8 Norris wins in the prime of Park’s career. Perhaps Park’s most notable achievement was the fact that he made the playoffs every single season of his 18 year. Unfortunately that incredible consistency was never rewarded, as Park never managed to get his hands on the Stanley Cup.

46 – Dit Clapper

Dit Clapper

Not only one of the NHL’s greatest players, but also one of its greatest names. Aubrey “Dit” Clapper spent his entire NHL career with the Boston Bruins in the 20s, 30s and 40s, and in the twilight of his career he took on coaching duties as well. He was the first NHL player to enjoy a 20 year career, and managed to rack up a respectable 474 points in 824 games as both a defenseman and a forward in a low scoring era. He helped the Bruins win 3 Stanley Cups during his tenure there, and his number 5 was retired by the team once this Hall of Famer’s playing days ended.

45 – Elmer Lach

Elmer Lach

In 1944-45 Maurice Richard turned the hockey world on its ear, scoring an incredible 50 goals in 50 games. However, it was Elmer Lach who led the league in points and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP that year. Lach is one of the least heralded of the great Montreal Canadiens from years gone by, but his numbers show he had talent to burn. He led the league in scoring again in 1947-48 and took home the first ever Art Ross Trophy that season for his efforts. He would finish his career averaging nearly a point a game, was a first team all-star on three separate occasions and helped his Canadiens win 3 Stanley Cups during his time with the club.

44 – Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios

This guy belongs on the list just for his incredible longevity alone. At 47 years of age Chelios is the second oldest player in NHL history behind only Gordie Howe, who came back to play with sons Mark and Marty at the ripe old age of 52. Though these days Chelios watches the games from the press box more often than not, back in the 80s and 90s he was one of the most feared defenders in the league, not only for his offensive prowess, but for his incredible will to win and his penchant for using his stick as a weapon. He has won 3 Norris Trophies, 3 Stanley Cups as a member of both the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings, and has played more playoff games than any other player in the history of the NHL.

43 – Brett Hull

Brett Hull

Though he might not have earned as high a spot as his famous father, Brett Hull actually finished with 131 more goals than the Golden Jet, and ranks 3rd all time with 741 career snipes. Known as a shooter, Brett Hull’s one-dimensional play kept him from attaining a higher spot on the list of the greatest hockey players ever, but he was so good at that one thing that keeping him off the list would have been a crime. His 86 goal season in 1990-91 is the second highest single season total in NHL history, and was the second of three consecutive seasons where the right winger eclipsed 70 goals. Even Hull’s harshest critics can hardly dispute he is one of the greatest snipers to ever fire a hockey puck. Brett Hull Blues Jerseys

42 – Peter Stastny

Peter Stastny

Another controversial choice, considering he never won a Stanley Cup, an Art Ross Trophy, or a Hart Trophy. However, Peter Stastny had the distinct disadvantage of playing the prime of his career in Wayne Gretzky’s enormous shadow. Without Gretzky in the picture there is little doubt that Stastny would have brought home plenty of hardware, and with the exception of The Great One no one scored more points in the 80s than this Slovakian superstar. Peter Stastny Jerseys

41 – Newsy Lalonde

Newsy Lalonde

I go back into the annals of NHL history for my next selection. In 2006 Evgeni Malkin tied one of the NHL’s oldest records when he scored a goal in each of his first 6 career games. The man whose record he tied was Newsy Lalonde. Lalonde also has the distinction of scoring the first goal in NHL history, a feat he achieved in 1917 while playing for the Montreal Canadiens. The only thing that keeps him from a higher ranking is his relatively short NHL tenure. Lalonde only played 99 career regular season games, barely more than a single season’s worth in this day and age. However, he made the best of that relatively short time, scoring an incredible 124 goals in that span.

40 – Charlie Conacher

Charlie Conacher

From a legendary Montreal Canadien to a legendary Toronto Maple Leaf. Charlie Conacher starred with the Buds in the 1930s. He helped the club make it to 5 Stanley Cup finals during his playing days, capturing the silver chalice in 1932. He also led the league in scoring on 2 separate occasions and in goals in 5 seasons. Though he would go on to play with the New York Americans and Detroit Red Wings he will always be remembered as Leaf and is widely considered one of the greatest Toronto Maple Leafs of all time.

39 – Tim Horton

Tim Horton

One of the most physically punishing players ever to play in the NHL, Tim Horton could crack ribs with his famous bear hugs. He played an incredible 24 seasons before a 1974 automobile accident ended his life and his career. During his playing days he put up a respectable 518 career points and his 1,611 career penalty minutes give tribute to his ornery style of play, and he helped the Punch Imlach-led Leafs win 4 Stanley Cups in the 60s. For those who are wondering, yes he was also the founder of the Tim Hortons franchise.

38 – Peter Forsberg

Peter Forsberg

Based on pure talent alone this Swedish phenom would be much higher on this list. However, chronic injuries plagued Forsberg throughout his career, and he was unable to put up the kind of numbers that you’ll see from many others on this list. However, at the peak of his game between 1995 and 2003 Forsberg was arguably as good as any player in the game, averaging well over a point per game, and helping his Colorado Avalanche to 2 Stanley Cups. He was nearly unstoppable down low, and in my opinion his on-ice vision and his ability to pass through sticks is only second to Wayne Gretzky in the last thirty years.
Peter Forsberg Jerseys

37 – Syl Apps

Syl Apps

Though at 6 feet and 185 pounds Apps would be pretty average by today’s NHL standards back in the 30s and 40s he was an absolute beast, physically dominating his opponents with his sheer size. He wasted no time making his presence felt in the NHL, winning the inaugural Calder Trophy in 1937 as the NHL’s best rookie. Apps played his entire 10 year NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was a model of consistency, scoring over 20 goals 6 times during that span and finishing his career with a better than point per game average (432 points in 423 games). Despite his size, Apps only spent 56 minutes in the sin bin during his career, winning the Lady Byng as the league’s most gentlemanly player in 1942. Apps would help the Leafs to 3 Stanley Cups during his tenure, and though he never won a Hart Trophy or led the league in scoring he was certainly one of the NHL’s best player during that era.

36 – Cy Denneny

Cy Denneny

This legendary Ottawa Senator has the dubious distinction of winning the NHL scoring race with the lowest total points in a season. In the 1923-24 season he finished with 22 goals and 1 assist to lead the NHL with a mere 23 points. He played 11 seasons with the Sens, helping the team to 4 Stanley Cup championships during that time. Denneny was one of the most prolific goal scorers of his era, and he netted a whopping 246 goals in just 326 career games.

35 – Gilbert Perreault

This slick Buffalo Sabre center is generally considered to be one of the greatest players who never won a Stanley Cup. Perreault, who starred alongside Rick Martin and Rene Robert on the French Connection Line in the 1970s, played all 1,191 games of his NHL career as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, racking up 1,326 points over that time. Despite his inability to win the big prize few who saw this incredible player during his prime would dispute his spot on this list.
Gilbert Perreault Jerseys

34 – Jari Kurri

Jari Kurri

Though some critics might argue that Kurri’s NHL success came mainly from riding the coattails of Wayne Gretzky during the duo’s run with the Oilers in the 1980s. However, Kurri’s incredible individual skill and his on-ice intelligence became readily apparent when Gretzky was traded in the summer of 1988 in a blockbuster trade that sent number 99 to the Los Angeles Kings. Kurri would hardly miss a beat, despite his superstar linemate’s absence, scoring 102 and 93 points respectively in the next 2 years. Kurri won 5 Stanley Cups during his playing days, and his 1,398 career points rank him third behind only Jaromir Jagr and Stan Mikita in career scoring by European born players.
Jari Kurri Jerseys

33 – Joe Malone

Joe Malone

It is hard to compare players that played in such completely different eras. However, when a player scores 44 goals in a 20 game season it is hard to find a valid reason to keep him off the list of the greatest players of all time. Malone, much like Newsy Lalonde, had a relatively short NHL career, but in only 125 games he managed to bulge the twine a jaw-dropping 146 times. He holds the NHL record for the most goals in a single game with 7, and is the only player in league history to score 5 goals in a single game 3 times in a single season.

32 – Henri Richard

Henri Richard

Though not as famous as his brother, Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the man known as the Pocket Rocket was a pretty darn good player in his own right. Richard spent his entire 20 year career as a member of the Montreal Canadiens, scoring over 1,000 points as a forward for the club. However, it is his Stanley Cup success that is his most impressive achievement. Richard doesn’t even have enough digits on both hands combined for all his Stanley Cup rings, and the 11 he won as a player is an all time NHL record. No, he didn’t have the flash and dash of his brother, but his consistency and his skill earn him a deserving spot on this list of the greatest players in NHL history.

31 - Joe Sakic

Joe Sakic

Though his nickname may be Burnaby Joe, this slick center with one of the game’s best wrist shots has spent his entire career as a member of the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. Sakic is generally regarded by his peers and by fans of the game as one of the classiest players to ever pick up a hockey stick. Sakic is the scoring leader among active NHL players, with 1,641 career points at the time of this writing. He has helped the Avalanche to 2 Stanley Cups and has a Conn Smythe as the Stanley Cup playoff MVP after an incredible 18 playoff goal performance in 1996. Over the past two seasons Sakic has been plagued by injuries, and hopefully we haven’t seen the last of this classy player. If he can stay healthy I have no doubt he still has some great hockey left in him.
Joe Sakic Jerseys

30 – Milt Schmidt

Milt Schmidt

One of the greatest Boston Bruins of all time Milt Schmidt played for the Bs his entire 16 year NHL career between 1937 and 1955. Even more incredibly he missed 3 full seasons in the 40s as he served his country in World War II. Despite his 3 year absence Schmidt didn’t miss a beat on his return to the NHL. When the dust settled on his career Schmidt had 575 points in 776 games, 2 Stanley Cups and a Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.

29 – Dickie Moore

Dickie Moore

It is little surprise that the team with the most Stanley Cup victories in NHL history would also have the most players on the list of the best hockey players of all time. Dickie Moore was yet another member of the fabled Montreal Canadiens franchise that was so dominant in the late 50s. Moore might not have the star power of the Richard brothers, Jean Beliveau, or Bernie Geoffrion, but on any other team the spotlight would have shone brightly on him. He racked up 608 points in 719 career games, won 6 Stanley Cups, and capture 2 Art Ross Trophies as the league’s leading scorer during his playing days.

28 – Larry Robinson

Larry Robinson

Yes, another Montreal Canadien legend. (Sorry Leafs fans). In the 1970s Larry Robinson helped form the triumvirate of defenseman that was simply called “The Big Three”. One of the best puck rushers of his era, Robinson was key in igniting the vaunted Canadiens offense, and his 958 career points put him high on the list of the best offensive defensemen in NHL history. Though Robinson went on to finish his Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Kings he will always be remembered as a Montreal Canadien, the team for which he won 2 Norris Trophies with and helped hoist the Stanley Cup on 6 different occasions.
Larry Robinson Jerseys

27 – Paul Coffey

Paul Coffey

If anyone could make an argument for anyone besides Bobby Orr when discussing the best offensive defenseman of all time it would be for this man. Coffey, arguably the best skater to ever lace them up in the NHL was a force to be reckoned with, particularly during his time with the powerful Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s. Coffey eclipsed the 100 point mark in 5 separate seasons, including the 1985-86 campaign when he racked up 48 goals and 138 points. He is 2nd all time to only Ray Bourque in career scoring by a defenseman with 1,531 points. Coffey’s abilities landed him the Norris Trophy on three separate occasions, and most importantly he has hoisted the Stanley Cup 5 times. Not only is he one of the greatest players of all time, he is without question one of the most entertaining as well.
Paul Coffey Jerseys

26 – Ted Lindsay

Ted Lindsay

It seems strange to see a man with the nickname “Terrible” on a list of great players. However, it was his reputation for meanness rather than his skill set that earned him the moniker. Ted Lindsay labored in Gordie Howe’s enormous shadow on one of the greatest lines in hockey history, the Production Line of the Detroit Red Wings. Though he didn’t rack up as many points as his famous linemate, Lindsay knew where the net was, and his 851 career points and his Art Ross Trophy back that up. With more than 1,800 career penalty minutes Terrible Ted Lindsay was no stranger to the sin bin either, and any player who played against him back in the day probably has some scars to prove it.
Ted Lindsay Jerseys

25 – Marcel Dionne

Marcel Dionne

At the time of his retirement the player known as “the Little Beaver” ranked 2nd behind only Gordie Howe in career goals in points. Though he has since been reeled in by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Ron Francis (points) and by Brett Hull (goals) his positions as 5th and 4th in each respective category is nothing to sneeze at. Unfortunately this member of the “Los Angeles Kings’ Triple Crown Line’s remarkable offensive talents yielded very little reward in the way of hardware. Marcel Dionne is arguably the best player who never won a Stanley Cup. He did enjoy some success on a personal level, beating out a young Wayne Gretzky in the 1979-80 season to capture both the Art Ross Trophy, and his second consecutive Lester B. Pearson Trophy as the league’s best player as voted by his peers.
Marcel Dionne Jerseys

24 – Steve Yzerman

Steve Yzerman

This former Detroit Red Wings’ superstar ranks with players like Jean Beliveau, Igor Larionov and Joe Sakic in the discussion of the classiest hockey player of all time. When he broke into the league in the early 80s he was an offensive dynamo and between 1987 and 1993 he broke the 100 point plateau six times and the 60 goal mark twice. However, as his career progressed he added defensive structure to his game, and his incredible two way play, his leadership and his determination would help him go on to win 3 Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy and an Olympic gold medal. He finished his amazing career with 692 goals and 1,755 points and will be a first ballot shoe-in for the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Steve Yzerman Jerseys

23 – Frank Mahovlich

Frank Mahovlich

Arguably the greatest Toronto Maple Leaf of all time the man known as The Big M played 19 NHL seasons with the Leafs, Wings and Canadiens before making the jump to the rival WHA in 1974. During that time Mahovlich was incredibly consistent and his point totals in his final 3 NHL seasons were higher than any other 3 year period of his career. During his time he netted 533 career goals, and totaled 1,103 points helping his teams to 6 Stanley Cups along the way.
Frank Mahovlich Jerseys

22 – Bobby Clarke

Bobby Clarke

Though some might question his managerial skills few can dispute this Philadelphia Flyer’s incredible determination, grit and will to win. Bobby Clarke would do whatever it took to win a hockey game (just ask Valeri Kharlamov) and he led his Broad Street Bullies to 2 Stanley Cups during the 1970s, and was a key component of the Team Canada team that beat the Soviets in the 1972 Summit Series. Clarke wasn’t just grit though. He had plenty of raw talent and he racked up 1,210 regular season and 119 playoff points during his spectacular career. His success on the ice also translated to individual awards, and he carried home the Hart Trophy 3 times and the Selke Trophy once during his Hall of Fame career.
Bobby Clarke Jerseys

21 – Jaromir Jagr

Jaromir Jagr

It almost pains me to include a man who squandered so much talent, took so many nights off, and complained so much a spot amongst these other legends on the list of the greatest hockey players of all time. However, I cannot ignore his incredible raw talent, and thus must give him his due. Jaromir Jagr might just be the most offensive gifted player to ever pick up a hockey stick, and when he was so inclined he could turn an entire team inside out twice before finishing the play with a highlight reel deke on the goalie. His prolific scoring ability landed him 5 Art Ross Trophies, and a Hart Trophy. As a sidekick to Mario Lemieux he captured two straight Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early 90s. If the sun has set on his incredible career then he is already among the all time leaders in all offensive categories, with a staggering 646 goals and 1,599 points to his credit. Say what you will about his competitive drive, but anyone who saw this guy play cannot deny he is one of the NHL’s all time most talented players.
Jaromir Jagr Jerseys

20 – Red Kelly

Red Kelly

Another legend from days gone by marks the entrance into the top 20 NHL players of all time. Leonard “Red” Kelly split his NHL career between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. He was an incredibly versatile player, starring at both the defense and the forward positions. In Detroit he was overshadowed by legends like Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, however it was his puck-moving ability that jumpstarted that powerful team’s offense, and helped the club win 4 Stanley Cups during Kelly’s tenure there. He was just as good in Toronto, moving up to center Frank Mahovlich. The duo was all but unstoppable and they led the Leafs to 4 Stanley Cups in the 1960s. With 8 Stanley Cups in all, 4 Lady Byng Trophies, and a Norris Trophy there can be little question that Red Kelly holds a deserving spot on this list.

19 – Denis Potvin

Denis Potvin

It is a testament to just how many great players have graced NHL rinks over the years when a player as good as the Islanders’ Denis Potvin was can barely crack the top 20. The powerful Islanders teams of the early 80s had stars like Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier lighting the lamp consistently at the front end, but it was Potvin who was the linchpin of the team and was an offensive star on the back end. He was the first defenseman to score over 1,000 career points, and he added 164 points in the playoffs for good measure. Over his career he won 4 Stanley Cups and 3 Norris Trophies. Such is his legend that the chant “Potvin sucks!” can still be heard many nights in Madison Square Gardens, the home of the Islanders’ cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers. How is that for making an impact?
Denis Potvin Jerseys

18 – Eddie Shore

Eddie Shore

The Boston Bruins have to be the luckiest franchise in NHL history when it comes to the blueline. They’ve seen the likes of Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, Brad Park, and of course, this old-time hockey legend grace the back end through their history. Shore spent all but 10 games of his NHL career with the Boston Bruins, potting 105 goals and 284 points in 553 games in an era when most defensemen contributed very little to their team’s offense. Shore won the Hart Trophy 4 times during a 6 year span in the 30s, and is the only defenseman in NHL history (including Bobby Orr) to win the coveted trophy that many times.

17 – Phil Esposito

Phil Esposito

Before Wayne Gretzky came along and annihilated the NHL record book, Phil Esposito’s 76 goals and 152 points were by far and away the highest single season totals in both categories. During his incredible career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers the outspoken superstar racked up over 700 goals and 1,590 points, and at the time of his retirement in 1981 he ranked 2nd all time behind only Gordie Howe in both those categories, nabbing himself 5 Art Ross Trophies and 2 Harts along the way.

16 – Bryan Trottier

Bryan Trottier

With 95 points and a Calder Trophy in his rookie year Bryan Trottier wasted no time serving notice to his peers that he would be a force to be reckoned with in the NHL. Not only was he an offensive dynamo, eclipsing the 100 point barrier 6 times in his career, he was also an underrated defensive player, and pound for pound was one of the toughest players to ever lace up the skates. Trottier teamed up with Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies to form one of the best lines in NHL history, and together they helped the Islanders win 4 straight Stanley Cups in the early 1980s. Trottier would go on to win 2 more cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, giving him 6 in total, to go along with his Hart, Conn Smythe, Art Ross and Calder Trophies.
Bryan Trottier Jerseys

15 – Stan Mikita

Stan Mikita

Long before Jari Kurri and Jaromir Jagr came along this guy was showing that Europeans could be superstars in the NHL. Though it has been almost 3 decades since he played an NHL game, his 1,467 career points ranks him second all time behind only Jaromir Jagr in scoring by a European born player. He and Bobby Hull formed one of the deadliest duos in NHL history, starring for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 60s and 70s. During that span Mikita captured 4 Art Ross titles and 2 Harts, was a 6 time first team all star and helped his Blackhawks hoist the Stanley Cup in 1961.
Stan Mikita Jerseys

14 – Ray Bourque

Ray Bourque

What’s a guy got to do to crack the top 10 NHL players of all time? Apparently being the all-time leading scorer on defense with 410 goals and 1,579 points is not enough. How about a Calder Trophy and 5 Norris Trophies? Not good enough apparently. 1,612 regular season games and 214 playoff games? Still nope. 180 playoff points and a Stanley Cup? Alright, you get the point. This guy was one of the best ever. It’s hard to believe there are 13 guys ahead of him.
Ray Bourque Jerseys

13 – Howie Morenz

Howie Morenz

One of the NHL’s first true superstars, Howie Morenz dominated the game in the 20s and 30s. While starring with the Montreal Canadiens he led the fabled club in scoring in 7 consecutive seasons, helping them to 3 Stanley Cups, and nabbing himself 3 Hart Trophies as the league MVP to boot. In 1945 when the Hockey Hall of Fame opened his doors, Morenz was among its first 12 inductees, and is considered by many to be the greatest player of the first half of the 20th century.

12 – Nicklas Lidstrom

Nicklas Lidstrom

This might be a controversial choice, but I have a hard time ranking this guy any lower. He is the closest thing I have seen to a machine in my many years of watching NHL hockey, and he always seems to make the right decision with or without the puck. Sure, many of the players on this list might have more flash or might make the highlight reel more often, but Lidstrom just goes about his business with remarkable consistency and simply put, this guy doesn’t know how to lose. With 6 Norris Trophies he ranks behind only Bobby Orr (8) and Doug Harvey (7) for the most ever. He has 4 Stanley Cup rings and came within a whiskers breadth of making it 5 this past spring when his Detroit Red Wings bowed out to Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Nicklas Lidstrom Jerseys

11 – Guy Lafleur

Guy Lafleur

One of the most popular and electrifying players of all time, Guy Lafleur is one of the true icons of the game. Lafleur flying down the right wing, blond hair flying as he unleashes a devastating slapshot is one of the enduring images in all of sports. However, this guy, much like Ovechkin now, wasn’t just charismatic – he was a true superstar. He accumulated an incredible collection of trophies during his career including 3 Art Ross Trophies, 3 Lester B. Pearsons, 2 Harts, a Conn Smythe and 5 Stanley Cup rings. He is the Montreal Canadiens’ all time leader in both assists and points, and ranks second in both goals and popularity with Habs fans to only the great Rocket Richard.
Guy Lafleur Jerseys

10 – Mike Bossy

Mike Bossy

The greatest pure goal scorer in NHL history is also one of the top 10 greatest NHL hockey players of all time. Forget Gretzky, Lemieux, Ovechkin or Brett and Bobby Hull, when it came to snapping the puck in the net, nobody did it better than this guy. Much like his Islander linemate, Bryan Trottier, Bossy made an impact in his first season in the big league, setting an NHL rookie record and nabbing the Calder Trophy by scoring 53 goals that year. That was just a sign of things to come. The following year he would score 69 – the second highest single season total in NHL history at the time. He would eclipse the 60 goal mark 4 additional times in his career, and in 1980-81 became the first player since Maurice Richard to score 50 goals in 50 games, and set an NHL record (later broken by Gretzky) by scoring 9 hat tricks that same season. Though his remarkable career was cut short by injuries he set an NHL record scoring 50 goals or more in each of his first 9 NHL seasons, and he finished with 573 goals and 1,126 points in only 752 games, helping his Islanders to 4 Stanley Cups, and earning himself a Conn Smythe Trophy along the way.
Mike Bossy Jerseys

9 – Bobby Hull

Bobby Hull

Sorry Brett, but your dad was better. Another one of the true icons of the game, The Golden Jet not only had a wicked shot, but was one of the fastest skaters to ever patrol the wing. He played 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before a lucrative $1,000,000 contract lured him to the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA. In 1966 he became the first player to score more than 50 goals in a single season, bulging the twine 54 times that year, 1 of 5 times he would reach the 50 goal plateau. Had his WHA years instead been spent in the NHL he would no doubt challenge Wayne Gretzky’s career goals mark of 894. Hull had 610 in the NHL and an additional 303 in the WHA during his magnificent pro hockey career.
Bobby Hull Jerseys

8 – Mark Messier

Mark Messier

Often referred to as the greatest leader in professional sports Mark Messier spent the early part of his career in the shadow of Edmonton Oilers teammate and friend Wayne Gretzky. During that time Messier was a prolific scorer, but his leadership abilities didn’t become apparent until Gretzky was traded to Los Angeles in 1988. Messier would take over the captaincy of the Oilers and in 1990 led the Oilers to a 5th Stanley Cup, and their only one without Gretzky. However, Messier’s greatest moment as a captain came when he led the 1994 New York Rangers to dramatic 7 game semi-finals and finals wins over the New Jersey Devils and the Vancouver Canucks to deliver long-suffering Rangers fans their first Stanley Cup since 1940. With 2 Hart Trophies, a Conn Smythe and 6 Stanley Cups Messier is one of the most decorated players of the modern era, and his 1,756 career games and 1,887 career points rank him 2nd all time in both categories.
Mark Messier Jerseys

7 – Doug Harvey

Doug Harvey

One of the best offensive defensemen of all time, Doug Harvey was the key to the vaunted Montreal Canadiens’ offense of the 1950s. He was a member of the Habs from 1947 until 1961, helping them to 6 Stanley Cups along the way. He also all but owned the Norris Trophy during that era, winning 7 of them in an 8 year span. Though his 540 points might pale in comparison to the totals of some other defensemen on this list, don’t let the numbers fool you. Anyone who saw this guy play in his prime will tell you in this case the numbers lie. Only Bobby Orr was better at the position, plain and simple.

6 – Jean Beliveau

Though some might argue I have this guy a little high up on the list in my opinion his combination of leadership, skill, class, and his incredible ability to win makes him deserving of the number 6 spot. Beliveau racked up 507 goals and 1,219 points in his 20 seasons with the Habs, winning the Stanley Cup exactly half of those years. Though he didn’t put up massive single season numbers like some of the others mentioned here, he was a model of consistency, averaging better than a point per game over his lengthy career. Incredibly Beliveau’s 10 Stanley Cup rings as a player (the second most ever) were just the beginning. He went on to earn 7 more rings as an executive with the club and his 17 total Stanley Cup rings are more than anyone else in the history of the sport.

5 – Maurice “The Rocket” Richard

Maurice Richard

Arguably the sport of hockey’s greatest legend Maurice Richard was also arguably its greatest goal scorer. Not a pure sniper like Bossy or Hull, or a human highlight reel like Ovechkin or Bure, Richard just had a desire to get to the net with the puck unmatched by anybody before or since. In the 1944-45 season he became the first player to score 50 goals in a single season, accomplishing the feat in just 50 games, a record that would go unmatched for 36 years. He would go on to score 544 goals in his Hall of Fame career, winning 9 Stanley Cups along the way, and though he only won 1 Hart Trophy and never led the league in scoring you’d have a hard time finding anyone who doesn’t have this guy as one of the top 5 greatest NHL players ever.
Maurice Richard Jerseys

4 – Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux

In terms of pure talent with the puck this “magnificent” player is the greatest ever in my opinion. With tremendous grace belying his hulking size Mario routinely made seasoned NHL defenders look like Pee Wee players as they tried helplessly to stop him. When Wayne Gretzky started putting up such huge numbers in the 80s it seemed impossible that any of the records he was setting would ever be broken. People started to imagine otherwise when Mario hit his prime. Unfortunately health problems interfered and Mario’s true potential was never reached. However, in the 915 career regular season games he did play Mario had a staggering 690 goals and 1,723 points. He grabbed 6 Art Ross Trophies, 3 Hart Trophies, 2 Conn Smythes, a Calder, 2 Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal, and had he enjoyed a healthy 20 year career there is a good chance that at least some of Wayne Gretzky’s scoring records would belong to Mario.
Mario Lemieux Jerseys

3 – Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe

If you’ve got the nickname Mr. Hockey there is little doubt that you are one of the best hockey players ever. Gordie Howe was a dominant force, both physically and on the score sheet, in the NHL for decades. He played his first NHL game way back in 1946 and his last in 1980, consistently piling up points and penalty minutes along the way. Amazingly Howe only cracked the 100 point plateau once in his incredible career. Even more amazingly he did it at the age of 40! At the time of his retirement in 1980 he led in all major offensive statistical categories with 801 goals, 1,049 assists and 1,850 points. He won 6 scoring titles and was voted NHL MVP on 6 separate occasions, and helped the Wings win 4 Stanley Cups during their dominance in the early 50s.
Gordie Howe Jerseys

2 – Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr

This one was closer than most people might have it. Bobby Orr was, in my opinion, the most dominant player in the game in any era, and if he, like Lemieux, had had the luxury of a long, healthy career I have no doubt he would be at the pinnacle of this list. Orr simply played the game at a different speed. He owned the puck, he owned the ice, and when he was on his game he was closer to unstoppable than any other player ever. He racked up 8 straight Norris Trophies, 3 Harts, 2 Conn Smythes and a Calder. However, most amazing was his 2 Art Ross Trophies. That’s right, he led the league in scoring twice, as a defenseman! He holds the single season record for points by a defenseman with 139, the 2nd highest total for goals with 46 and racked up 915 points in just 657 career games. It truly boggles the mind to wonder what this guy could have done in his NHL career with 2 healthy knees.
Bobby Orr Jerseys

1 – Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky

With the incredible number of NHL records he holds it is very difficult for anyone to argue against Wayne Gretzky as the greatest NHL hockey player of all time. He not only holds the records in all major statistical scoring categories, he is a country mile ahead of his competitors! His 2,857 career points put him almost 1,000 points ahead of his next closest competitor. Considering that competitor (Mark Messier) played in the same era and on the same great team for the bulk of his career it is just mind-boggling that Gretzky was able to distance himself by such a margin. He owned the NHL in the 80s, winning the Hart and Art Ross year after year. He led the Oilers to 4 Stanley Cups, setting numerous playoff scoring records along the way. He is the undisputed greatest playmaker in NHL history and his 1,963 career assists are more than 700 ahead of Ron Francis who sits in 2nd place. There is so much more I could say, but I think you get the drift. Wayne Gretzky’s holds a deserving spot at number 1 on the list of the greatest NHL hockey players of all time, and I can promise you won’t see him dethroned any time soon.
Wayne Gretzky Jerseys

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Phil Kessel - Will He Be a Boom or a Bust in Toronto?

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:51:32 +0000

Phil Kessel

You knew when Brian Burke accepted the job as the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs that he wasn't going to waste much time putting his own unique "stamp" on the team. He has a philosophy that a good hockey team should be comprised of 2 highly skilled lines, and 2 gritty lines that are capable of doling out physical punishment. He has been busy working the phones, acquiring gritty players like Colton Orr, Mike Komisarek, and Garnet Exelby. However, Leafs fans were waiting for him to pull the trigger on a deal to acquire some more skill up front, a superstar that could help fill the void that has been gaping since the departure of Mats Sundin. Well, Burke finally pulled the trigger, acquiring Phil Kessel from the Boston Bruins. Kessel had 36 goals and 60 points last year with the Bruins, his best season of his 3 year career. However, does his potential live up to the steep price (2 first round picks, and a second round pick) that Burke had to give up to get him, and the $27 million he will earn over the next five years?

Many are skeptical that Kessel will be a dominant force to live up to the huge expectations that will come with earning that kind of money, particularly in a hockey mad market like Toronto. In Boston last season he played alongside Marc Savard and Milan Lucic and the trio comprised one of the best lines in the league. However, Kessel's doubters point out that Kessel's 36 goal total was due in large part to playing with one of the best passers in the league in Savard, and because he enjoyed the protection of one of the league's toughest power forwards in Lucic.

Those doubters have a very valid point, particularly in light of the fact that Kessel won't have a whole lot of help on the offensive side of the puck in Toronto. Not only did he have Savard and Lucic to play with in Boston, but the Bs had so many other talented forwards that opposing teams were forced to deploy their best defensive assets against multiple lines, allowing Kessel a little more room to utilize his speed and skill. Playing in Toronto he'll have no such luxury, and he can look forward to facing opposing teams' best checking line and their top defensive pairing night in and night out.

Against such odds it is hard to imagine his goal total going up this season, and if Kessel doesn't score he certainly won't come close to earning the large paycheck he will collect. He is one of the softest players in the league, throwing a body check once every February 29th. His defensive game is tantamount to Colton Orr's scoring prowess, so you can forget about seeing him on the penalty kill.

Kessel better score early and often if he wants to survive in Toronto. If he doesn't have a big offensive impact in his first 10 games fans and media alike will be all over him and getting caught in that pressure cooker might have a negative impact that will start a downward spiral that could make the whole season a write-off.

All that being said, Kessel does have world class skill. He has a deadly shot combined with world class acceleration and a quick pair of hands. He can fire a shot at full velocity even in traffic, and his small size and escapability allows him to elude opposing teams' larger slower defenders on a nightly basis.

As I stated above it is key that Kessel get off to a fast start in Toronto. He, like most other players, thrives when he is playing with confidence. If he can get a few pucks in early he will quickly become a media darling rather than a scapegoat, and his time in Toronto will be a whole heck of a lot more comfortable. Will he ultimately be worth 3 picks and $27 million? Only time will tell. I believe he has the potential to be a 50 goal scorer in this league, but that has been said about a lot of players who never amounted to anything at the NHL level. One thing is for sure, whether it is positive or negative you can expect to hear plenty about Phil Kessel in the Toronto media in the years to come.

Check out our selection of Phil Kessel Maple Leafs jerseys

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Theoren Fleury Retires

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:58:50 +0000

Theoren Fleury has made it official, calling it a career today, and coming full circle as he retires a Calgary Flame, the same team he started his NHL career with more than two decades ago. Fleury was released last week after a spirited comeback bid that had many longtime Flames fans cheering him on. However, at the not-so-tender age of 41, and competing against 14 forwards all on one way contracts, the odds of Fleury cracking the Flames roster were slim indeed, and though he was certainly a fan favorite ultimately GM Darryl Sutter and coach Brent Sutter had to do what was best for the team, and gave Fleury his walking papers.

Fleury broke into the NHL with the Flames back in the 1988-89 season and immediately proved he could be an impact player despite his diminutive size, potting 34 points in 36 regular season and additional 11 playoff points in helping the Flames to the franchises first and only Stanley Cup championship that spring. Fleury would continue playing with the club until 1999, scoring 830 points over that span, the second highest career total in club history behind only Jarome Iginla's 851. With the Flames Fleury twice eclipsed 100 points, and had his best season in 1990-91, scoring 51 goals.

In 1999 he was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche, and from there had stops with the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. However, ongoing substance abuse problems ultimately saw him exit the NHL in 2003.

Fleury retires with over 1,000 NHL games under his belt, and during that time he averaged better than a point per game in both the regular season and the playoffs. He will certainly be remembered as one of the most popular players ever to suit up for the Calgary Flames, and there can be little dispute that he is one of the best "small guys" to ever play in the NHL.

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Who Will Be The Next Captain of the Canadiens?

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:44:15 +0000

The Montreal Canadiens organization, as every hockey fan knows, is the most decorated in the history of the NHL. With over 100 years of tradition that has seen them hoist the Stanley Cup on 24 different occasions the Habs are a proud team that has seen some of the game's greatest legends grace their roster.

Many of those all-time greats wore the 'C' for the Habs, leading the Canadiens to Stanley Cup glory in decades gone by. Greats like Newsy Lalonde, Toe Blake, Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau and Bob Gainey have all helmed the mighty Canadiens. Hockey Hall of Famers, every one of them, who lived up to the proud tradition of those who went before them.

In recent years the Habs haven't had the success they once enjoyed as an organization, but great players like Guy Carbonneau, Vincent Damphousse and most recently Saku Koivu acquitted themselves well in the role, handling the immense pressure and scrutiny in the hockey-mad city of Montreal with aplomb, while still managing to deliver on the ice on a nightly basis.

However, with the off-season departure of long-time captain Saku Koivu, who has now gone to the San Jose Sharks the Habs are left with a vacancy for the post of team captain. Even worse, it is a challenge to name a player who could be considered a strong candidate for the role.

A big part of the problem is the huge turnover in the roster of the Canadiens. This is a totally different team than the one that was ushered out of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Boston Bruins last spring. Stars like Koivu, Mike Komisarek, Alexei Kovalev, Christopher Higgins, Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang are all gone. Some of the players who've taken their place include Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, Travis Moen, and Hal Gill. Habs fans are going to have to check their programs very carefully at the Canadiens' home opener to try and pin down who's who out on the ice.

With leaders like Koivu, Kovalev and Komisarek out of the mix there is a definite dearth of Habs remaining from last year's team that would be a good fit as team captain. Andrei Markov would be the first name that leaps to mind, but newspaper reports state that the quiet Russian star was indeed offered the post, but has declined to take the team up on their offer.

Scott Gomez's name has been bandied about in musings as well. He will be the Habs' highest paid player, and has a ton of experience as a member of two Stanley Cup winning teams in New Jersey. However, expectations are going to be sky high this season for Gomez to produce offensively. Add to that the enormous pressure of being a captain in Montreal, and the fact that he has yet to play a game in a Habs uniform and it seems like a pretty unfair burden to put on him no matter how much money he will be making.

It is indeed a conundrum with no clear solution, and is mute evidence that the legendary tradition and leadership of the Canadiens' organization has fallen a long way since the days of Maurice Richard and Jean Beliveau. Hopefully for the sake of the team and for the sport itself Gainey can right the ship in the not-too-distant future.

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Will Dany Heatley Challenge for the Rocket Richard Trophy?

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:49:54 +0000

Well, the Dany Heatley saga is finally over, and though Ottawa Senators fans are probably wishing him good riddance at this moment, San Jose Sharks fans are preparing to welcome him with open arms. The same can be said of the management, coaching staff and his new San Jose Sharks teammates. After all, it isn't everyday that a team gets a 2-time 50 goal scorer added to their lineup.

However, the player most excited to see Dany Heatley in a San Jose Sharks jersey has to be Joe Thornton. The towering center is arguably the best passer in the game, and with a pure shooter like Heatley as his wingman he has a good shot of piling up enough assists to challenge for the Art Ross trophy in the 2009-10 season.

As for Heatley, he is no doubt looking forward to the opportunity as well. After a sub-par season last year, he is no doubt hungry to return to the form that saw him put together back to back 50 goal seasons. He has one of the best releases in the game, on par with players like Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Ovechkin, and with Thornton's incredible vision and passing ability Heatley can expect to get the puck in a prime shooting location on a regular basis.

However, until we see these two elite players on the ice together nothing can be taken for granted. Chemistry among superstar hockey players can be a funny thing. Throughout the history of the league there have been instances of players that seemed like they would be the perfect fit for one another, but could never find success as linemates. Combinations like Gretzky and Kurri, Trottier and Bossy, or Hull and Oates don't come along every day. Even chemistry that is there at first can often fizzle out. Look at Thornton and Cheechoo. The two were unstoppable during Thornton's first year in San Jose, and Cheechoo shocked the hockey world by winning the Rocket Richard trophy with 56 goals that season. However, in the seasons following his production took a dive as he and Thornton couldn't seem to recapture the magic they had in that first season.

That being said I think it is very unlikely that Thornton and Heatley will fail to find success together. Heatley is a far more dangerous, consistent goal-scorer than Cheechoo, and he is a big body presence that can fight for the little space he needs to unload his wicked one-timer.

Don't forget that Heatley will have something to prove when he arrives in San Jose. He took a public relations beating after his desire to leave Ottawa became public, and a lot of people around the game of hockey will be hoping for him to fail. He'll definitely be motivated to deprive them of their chance to gloat.

Last, but not least, there are the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver to consider. With the controversy surrounding Heatley, and Team Canada's depth at the center position, both Heatley and Thornton are far from locks to make the team. If they can light up the league during the first half of the season it will pretty much assure them roster spots, and there is a good chance they could find themselves playing together on one of Canada's top lines.

However it plays out it will be one of the more interesting storylines early in the upcoming NHL season, and the Sharks will find themselves the object of more scrutiny than usual among hockey fans outside of San Jose.

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Flyers Unveil Winter Classic Jersey

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:29:53 +0000

NHL.com has pictures of the new Flyers jerseys the team will wear at this winter's upcoming Winter Classic game at Fenway Park between the Flyers and the Boston Bruins.

In something of a gimmicky unveiling Flyers players Daniel Briere, Braydon Coburn and Ian Laparierre took shots at a block of ice until it shattered, revealing the jerseys contained within.

The jersey very closely matches the Flyers original sweaters, including featuring a solid nameplate instead of individually sewn letters on the back.

To see more pics of the new jersey follow the link to NHL.com below:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=498286

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