Honorable Mention: Kevin Stevens (Penguins 1978-88-1994-95, Bruins 1995-96, Kings 1995-96-1996-97, Rangers 1997-98-1999-2000, Flyers 2000-01, Penguins 2000-01-2001-02), Daniel Sedin (Canucks 2000-01-Present), Ryan Smyth (Oilers 1994-95-2006-07, Islanders 2006-07, Avalanche 2007-08-2008-09, Kings 2009-10-2010-11, Oilers 2011-12-2013-14), Markus Naslund (Penguins 1993-94-1995-96, Canucks 1995-96-2007-08, Rangers 2008-09), Dany Heatley (Thrashers 2001-02-2003-04, Senators 2005-06-2008-09, Sharks 2009-10-2010-11, Wild 2011-12-2013-14, Ducks 2014-15) Henrik Zetterberg (Red Wings 2002-03-Present)
10. John LeClair (Canadiens 1990-91-1994-95, Flyers 1994-95-2003-04, Penguins 2005-06-2006-07: 967 Games Played, 406 Goals, 413 assists, 819 Points, 501 Penalty Minutes)
Mention his name and most hockey fans think of one thing: Legion of Doom! One of the most dominant lines that the game has ever seen, which had Eric Lindros centering Mikael Renberg and John LeClair. John got his start in Montreal, where he won his only Stanley Cup, which came in 1993. It was while playing on the Legion of Doom line where his career really took off. That line had a blend of size, speed, strength and goal scoring touch. During those years with the Flyers, he scored 50 or more goals in three straight years, then followed that up with another two straight seasons of 40 or more goals. With those years, LeClair became the first American-born player to score 50 goals in three consecutive NHL seasons. With his size and grit, LeClair was made for the modern NHL game. He had the ability to win the battles in the corners and the speed to be dangerous on the rush. He could dish the puck as well as bury it. Sure, his scoring touch, but that didn't really come along until he was well settled in with the Flyers, as noted earlier.
He had a pretty good career on the international level as well, producing 18 points in 17 games between a World Cup of Hockey and two Olympic games. He won silver in 2002 at Salt Lake City. He has a Stanley Cup ring with the Habs in 1993, but wait there's more. LeClair was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1995 and 1998, while being named to the Second All-Star Team in 1996, 1997, and 1999. LeClair also played in the NHL All-Star game in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 .
9. Patrick Marleau (Sharks 1997-98-Present: 1,469 Games Played, 501 Goals, 568 Assists, 1,069 Points, 447 PIM)
What more can be said about Patrick Marleau that hasn't been said already. He's been pretty much the face of the Sharks franchise since the turn of the century. You've got some pretty big expectations to live up to if you're taken 2nd overall in the draft, as Marleau was in 1997. He put up solid scoring numbers early in his career, averaging somewhere around the 50 point range through the first half of his career. The Sharks showed their faith in him when they named him Captain in 2003 Marleau's numbers kept rising, and by the 2007 season he had passed Owen Nolan for the club record for goals, assists and points. A lot of the rejunivation in Marleau's play has been credited to being paired up with Joe Thornton, who came over in a trade from the Bruins in 2006. ironically it was Thornton who was taken ahead of Marleau in the 1997 draft.
Marleau has a solid hardware collection to his name. Won a World Championships gold medal with Team Canada in 2003. He also won a gold medal with Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics (Vancouver) and the 2014 Winter Olympics. He won a World Cup championship with Team Canada in 2004, though he only played in preliminary exhibition games leading up to the tournament. Marleau played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2004, 2007 and 2009. and has been named a Lady Byng Memorial Trophy finalist in 2007 and 2014. He's got his name all over the Sharks record books, including being the teams leader in games played, goals, assists, points, power play goals, short handed goals, and shots. What makes Marleau good is that he has a nice blend of speed and skill. He can beat you witha good move or a good pass. He's just as comfortable making the pass as he is shooting the puck and he c an do both very well.
8. Dave Andreychuk (Sabres 1982-83-1992-93, Maple Leafs 1992-93-1995-96, Devils 1995-96-1998-99, Bruins 1999-2000, Avalanche 1999-2000, Sabres 2000-01, Lightning 2001-02-2005-06: 1,639 Games Played, 640 Goals, 698 Assists, 1,338 Points, 1,125 PIM)
When you think of power play specialists and great leaders, Dave Anderychuck is one of the first names that comes to mind. When he first broke into the NHL with the Sabres, he was known for being a power play specialist. His best offensive days were in both Buffalo and Toronto. His best season offensively was in 1993–94 when, with Toronto, he posted 53 goals and 99 points. By the time he got to New Jersey, he was able to flip the script on his career. Sure he was still able to put the puck into the net and find his way onto the score sheet but it wasn't at the rate it was early in his career. Instead he was able to turn himself into a very reliable two way hockey player. He became more defense oriented, which lead to a sort of second career almost. His leadership skills proved invaluable as he lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to their only Stanley Cup win in 2004. That was his last taste of glory, as after the year off from hockey due to the lockout his production wasn't the same and his career came to an end.
Andreychuk had himself a fine career during his time in the NHL. He played in the sixth most games played in NHL history with 1639. Andreychuk ranks 14th in NHL history with 640 goals and is tied with Denis Savard for 28th in league history with 1,338 points. He holds the record for most career power-play goals with 274.
7. Patrik Elias (Devils 1995-96-2015-16: 1,240 Game Played, 408 Goals, 617 Assists, 1,025 Points 549 PIM)
One of the slickest playmakers to come out of Europe and the best offensive player that the Devils franchise has ever had. He was taken in the 1994 entry draft but didn't crack the Devils until after the first cup run. His career really took off in 1999-2000 when he was put on the famed "A Line" with Petr Sýkora and Jason Arnott, which was one of the top producing lines in all of hockey that season. To cap off that year, he assisted on Arnott's Cup-clinching goal in double overtime in Game 6 against Dallas. During his career, Elias cracked the 20 goal mark ten times, including three seasons of 30 or more goals, and one 40 goal season. There were five occasions where he cracked 70 or more points including a career high 96 in 2000-01, which placed him 3rd in the league in scoring that year. He wasn't the biggest guy on the Devils, but he had quickness to him. Elias was a great playmaker, and slick hands around the net and great vision, as his assists numbers were usually pretty high, He may not have put up Jagr like numbers, but there were times where the Devils offense went as Elias did. He was one of the faces of the Devils for a long time, a good leader and a hell of a hockey player. Elias also had some solid success on the international stage, collecting 33 points in 40 games between one World Cup of Hockey, three World Championships and four Olympic Games for the Czech Republic.
Elias has the two Stanley Cup Rings on his mantle. Elias was named to the 1997-98 All Rookie Team and was a First Team All Star in 2000-01. He also played in the All Star game in 2000, 2002, 2011, and 2015. Elias holds several of the Devils club records, including career marks points, goals and assists in the regular season as well as the all time leader in playoff goals (45), assists (80), and points (125). Elias holds the Devils marks for hat tricks (8), shots on goal (3,201) and power play goals (110). Eliáš is the only NHL player to be awarded two penalty shots in overtime. Both occurred in separate games versus the New York Islanders, and in both cases, Eliáš missed the penalty shot.
6. Keith Tkachuk (Jets 1991-92-1995-96, Coyotes 1996-97-2000-01, Blues 2000-01-2006-07, Thrashers 2006-07, Blues 2007-08-2009-10: 1,201 Games Played, 538 Goals, 527 Assists, 1,065 Points, 2,219 Penalty Minutes)
You look up the word power forward in the dictionary, one of the first faces you will see is Keith Tkachuk's. He could do it all. He could skate, score, pass, hit and fight. He had a little bit of everything to his game. Tkachuk scored over 40 goals four times in his career, including two 50 goal seasons, all coming with Winnipeg. After his days with the Jets, he still had scored 30 or more goals four times. And you mention the words power forward to a hockey fan, Tkachuk's name is usually near the top of the list. Tkachuk was known for his aggressive, physical style while consistently scoring points. Tkachuk had more than 100 penalty minutes in 10 of his 19 NHL seasons, including three seasons with over 200 penalty minutes. Tkachuk was known for his goal scoring prowess, scoring 30 goals eight times, including two 40-goal seasons and two back-to-back 50 goal seasons, the latter of which he led the NHL in goals, with 52. That year, he became the first American born player to lead the league in goals. He had many different ways to beat you. He could throw a good hit, he could fight and he could beat you with a huge goal. He could basically almost do it all.
Tkachuk never got to a Stanley Cup and win a ring, but he did leave quite an impression on the league. He's second on the Arizona Coyotes franchise list for career game-winning goals, with 40. He also holds the Arizona Coyotes record for career penalty minutes with 1,508. Tkachuk was a Second Team All-Star in 1995 and 1998. he also played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2007.
5. Ilya Kovalchuk (Thrashers 2001-02-2009-10, Devils 2009-10-2012-13: 816 Games Played, 417 Goals, 399 Assists, 816 Points, 516 Penalty Minutes)
Speed. That's one of the first things that comes to mind when people mention Ilya Kovalchuk. An excellent skater with impressive speed, quickness and acceleration have defined Kovalchuk during his career. Another aspect of his game that really set Kovalchuk apart was his outstanding puckhandling skills, scoring ability and playing a tough aggressive style of game. In 2001-02, he broke onto the scene scoring 51 points and finishing 2nd in Calder voting for Rookie of the Year, finishing behind Danny Heatley. 2003 was the year Kovalchuk broke the 20 goal mark, but his career really took off in 2004 when he lead the league with 41 goals. For five straight seasons he cracked the 40 goal mark including two years of 52 goals (2006 and 2008). After his last 40 goal year, he broke the 30 goal mark three more times, before leaving the NHL to go play in Russia. Besides his playing style, Kovalchuk is known for one other thing. It will be known simply as the contract. He had originally signed a deal with the Devils at the end of the 2010 season that was worth17 years and $102 million. The length of the deal broke the record for the longest contract in NHL history. The contract, however, was blocked by the NHL the next day on the grounds that it circumvented the league's salary cap. Arbitrator Richard Bloch heard the union's appeal, and ultimately nullified the deal.
Contract aside, Kovalchuk still had a great career. Not a hall of famer, or a Cup winner, he still carved out himself a fine career. He won MVP of the YoungStars Game in 2002 and was named to the All-Rookie Team that same year. He was a First All-Star Team in 2012 and a Second All-Star Team in 2004. Kovalchuk played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2004, 2008, and 2009. He tied with Rick Nash and Jarome Iginla for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, with 41 goals in 2004. Speed, slick hands and a great shot will define his career.
4. Paul Kariya (Ducks 1994-95-2002-03, Avalanche 2003-04, Predators 2005-06-2006-07, Blues 2007-08-2009-10: 989 Games Played, 402 Goals, 587 Assists, 989 Points 399 Penalty Minutes)
As the old saying goes, good things come in small packages. That's exactly what you get with Paul Kariya. Despite his small size, he was a great playmaker, and the face of the Mighty Ducks franchise from the moment he took the ice in his first game with the team. When Kariya was first coming up, he drew compare to Wayne Gretzky for his skating style and his vision on the ice being Gretzky like. He had the playmaking skills, no doubt, but because the Ducks lacked offensive firepower during the early years of the team, Kariya was forced to shoot more. He had a knack for finding the back of the net with regularity, scoring 50 goals his 2nd year in the league. He cracked the 40 goal mark twice more in his career with the Ducks and broke the 30 goal mark four more times in his career. His passing skills were always on point, registering 50 assists or more in a season six times. One of the big moments that stand out in Paul's career came during the 2003 finals. During game six, he was knocked out cold by a hit at the blue line for Scott Stevens. He came back later in the hockey game and scored a goal over the glove side of Martin Brodeur to add an insurance marker for the Ducks to help force a game seven. That goal was a testament to how good a player he was. Some had questioned his heart, but that goal, and game, showed how much heart and desire he truly had.
One of the true highlights of his career would have been a Stanley Cup, but the Ducks fell short against the Devils in 2003, the closest he was able to get. But Kariya has still had himself a very fine career. He sits 3rd on the Ducks all time lists in the major offensive lists. Kariya was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1995, while being named to the First All-Star Team in 1996, 1997, and 1999. Kariya was also named to the Second All-Star Team in 2000 and 2003. Kariya won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1996 and 1997. He played in the All-Star Game in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. During those years, he won the Skills Competition Puck Control relay in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002, which spoke to how great a puck handler he really was.
3. Brendan Shanahan (Devils 1987-88-1990-91, Blues 1991-92-1994-95, Whalers 1995-96-1996-97, Red Wings 1996-97-2005-06, Rangers 2006-07-2007-08, Devils 2008-09: 1,524 Games Played, 656 Goals, 698 Assists, 1,354 Points, 2,489 Penalty Minutes)
Talk about another definition of a power forward, that's what you get with Brendan Shanahan. He was the poster boy for power forwards from the left side. He was a driving and punishing force on the ice, as well as now off it. During his career, he managed to score 50 goals twice, another four years of 40 or more goals and yet another six years of 30 or more goals. 1994 was his best offensive year, scoring 102 points, doing so while managing 211 penalty minutes. With a quick-release wrist shot and the ability to muscle his way into open space, the Devils took him 2nd overall in 1987. He quickly managed to make himself a big star in the league. He could score goals sure, but he also stood up for his teammates. Shanahan's play allowed for his teammates to elevate their game and play at a level they never knew they had inside them. He would stick up for his smaller teammates, which allowed them to grow their games. And it wasn't also what he did as a player that fans will remember him for. During the 2004-05 lockout, he brought together some of the biggest names in the game at a two day summit to help get the game better then it was before. A lot of those changes are still being used in the league right now. Shanahan had a hand in that.
So not only does he have a hand in the way the game is played now, he's got his name in the record books as well. Shanahan won three Stanley Cups, 1997, 1998 and 2002. Shanahan played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2007. He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1994 and 2000, while getting named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2002. Shanahan won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2003. Shanahan led the league in short-handed goals in 1994 and then led the league in powerplay goals in 1997. He is the only player with over 600 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
2. Alexander Ovechkin (Capitals 2005-06-present: 839 Games Played, 525 Goals, 441 Assists, 966 Points, 567 Penalty Minutes)
You want to talk about pure goal scorers, look no further then Alex Ovechkin. This guy just flat out loves to score goals, and shoot the puck too. Once he took the ice for the Capitals in his first game in 2006, his career took off and Ovie hasn't looked back. He doesn't just go after pucks, he hunts them down. And he's a big man too. At 6'3 and 239 pounds, that's a big man coming barreling down the ice at you, you best learn to move out the way. Once he gets a hold of the puck, he doesn't give it up easily until he fires it on net. His shot is hard and accurate. most goalies have said they have a hard time seeing the puck coming off his stick, that's how hard he shoots the puck. Ovechkin has scored at least 30 goals in ever season he has played in the NHL. He's hit 40 or more once, 50 or more six times and 60 or more once (his career high is 65 that he scored in 2008). He's got four seasons of 100 or more points. by the time all is said and done, Ovechkin will has his name at the top of every offensive record that the Capitals have. He's the king of the Russian goal scorers and the numbers are still climbing. Ovie has deceptive speed, a quick release. He can beat you with a goal and a good, solid hit.
The one thing that's missing from Ovechkins trophy case is a Stanley Cup. Otherwise he has Hall of Fame worthy credentials. He's the fifth fastest player in NHL history to score 500 career goals (801 games), and he's the only player in NHL history to be named to the NHL First All-Star Team in each of his first five seasons. Ovechkin was named to the First All-Star Team in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2015 and the Second All-Star Team in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016. He has played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2017. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2008, 2009, and 2013, while picking up the Lester B. Pearson Award in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He seems to be a lock for the Hall of fame when all is said and done.
1. Luc Robitaille (Kings 1986-87-1993-94, Penguins 1994-95, Rangers 1995-96-1996-97, Kings 1997-98-2000-01, Red Wings 2001-02-2002-03, Kings 2003-04-2005-06: 1,431 Games Played, 668 Goals, 726 Assists, 1,394 Points, 1,177 Penalty Minutes)
Out of all the hockey players I've ever seen play the game, there have been none quicker on their skates then Lucky Luc. Some of the things that Robitaille heard when he was younger was that he couldn't skate, was too slow, and didn't have a chance of making it. Well, by the time the dust settled, he had become the highest scoring left winger in the history of the sport and found himself in the Hall of Fame. There were only three seasons in his career in which Luc failed to score more then twenty goals in a year. He had an eight year stretch at the start of his career where he scored more then 40 goals each year, including two 50 or more goal years and a career high 63 goals in 1993. Luc also produced four seasons of 100 or more points. What made him so tough to play against was his quickness. He had the best opening strides to the puck I've ever seen a hockey player have. He also had one of the most accurate shots to ever come into the league. He could shoot a dime off the crossbar it was so accurate. Luc was that good that he really had nobody to compare against. He was one of the most talented hockey players I've ever watched.
Robitaille has three Stanley Cup titles to his name, one as a player with the 2002 Detroit Red Wings and two as an executive with the Kings in 2012 and 2014. HE's also added a few more titles to his name as well. He won the Calder Trophy in 1987 and was named to the All-Rookie Team that same year. Luc played in the All-Star Game in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, and 2001. To cap it all off, Luc was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. HIs record for goals and points by a left winger still stands today.
No comments:
Post a Comment