Best player in the NHL(currently)

Wedgylx · 03-14-2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo

Points/game this year he is top 3 at 1.34/game and I would venture to say he is more of a 2 way player than Jagr, Thorton and Staal.

c'mon bobo, you're really going to bring up Thornton's name in a conversation about best players in the NHL?

Thornton is overrated, in my opinion (I'm from Boston so I have gotten to see more of him than I have wanted to in the past few years).

He's definitely calm with the puck and good behind the net...but I'd definitely not say one of the top players in the game. Hell, when you get to playoffs the guy vanishes.

Jagr has been a favorite of mine for a long time. However, despite the fact he has amazing skill, I don't think he plays with a lot of heart sometimes. Some games he just doesnt show up. Also, he isnt much more than a parking cone in the defensive end.

Forsberg is a great player but, as has been said earlier, he has a hard time staying healthy.

Lecavalier is a very underrated player with more than his fair share of skill that can play in both ends of the rink.

Most underrated player in the NHL soon to become a superstar....Gionta. He's the kind of guy that shows up to win. He'll throw the body, dig in the corners, help out on D...anything to win. I really like his style of play.

Ovetchkin (I'm sure I spelled that one incorrectly) and Crosby are two others who will be making a nice impression on the league in a few years...the next superstars.

The league is in a state right now where there really arent any more superstars...no posterboys for the sport. No "great one", no Lemieux....I'm excited for one to step up.

Wedgylx · 03-14-2006, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodja

I think that St Louis has been the biggest disappointment in the NHL this year. How can a player win both the Hart and Ross Trophies, have rules designed to help players like, and play w/ great talent and suddenly disappear???

he reminds me of glen murray...toss enough pucks at the net and you're bound to get a few points lol

Wedgylx · 03-14-2006, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunder

I may say that I'm not convinced that Forsberg is the best current player, but I do believe he makes a strong case for himself, and I'm willing to keep an open mind. I'm not against Forsberg being considered the best, but it just seems like nobody stands out from the pack this year (vs say the Gretzky and Lemeaux era).

wow, great minds think alike I guess lol.

I'm rereading the thread more closely, after reading bobo's input I had to reply

Aside from Martin Brodeaur and Dominic Hasek, who are both on the path to retirement (sweeter the second time for hasek) we don't have any dominant goaltenders either anymore. It seems like we are plagued with flashes in the pan that burn out well before they should.

Spectre32 · 03-14-2006, 10:32 AM

Lunquist Is pretty beastly, persoanly Patrick Roy was one of the best ever.

Rodja · 03-14-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectre32

Lunquist Is pretty beastly, persoanly Patrick Roy was one of the best ever.

Correction the best ever. There are several good goaltenders, but they take time to develop. If Luongo goes to a better team, then he will finally get the recognition he deserves. The next great goaltender is Kari Lehtonen of Atlanta. This guy won the MVP of the Finnish Elite League when he was 18. By 07-08, he will establish himself as the best in the game.

**Pioneer** · 03-14-2006, 01:37 PM

I would have said Jagr (hell yeah im a Ranger fan) but with the injures he got from those stupid olympics hes been slacking, a lot.

**Frank Costanza** · 03-14-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedgylx

c'mon bobo, you're really going to bring up Thornton's name in a conversation about best players in the NHL?

.

Usually, no way. I just brought that up because his ability was questioned just because he wasn't the tops in scoring (or close to it).

The only knock I see on Forsberg is staying healthy. I just assumed when we were discussing the best player it was assumed he is healthy. Everyone sucks when they arne't playing!

Many of the injuries are because he IS physical. If he wasn't then he wouldn't be as good but then he wouldn't get hurt as well

Double edged sword.

I tihnk Jagr is the best pure offesnive threat but he has problems stepping up. You can frustrate him and get under his skin pretty easily. In high emotional games, such as the playoffs, he tends to disappear if he seen as "the man". Put him in a secondary role (as he was with Mario) and he can flourish. He doens't handle being the number one guy that well....as seen in Washington. He even wasn't that good with the Rangers up until this year but the new rules certainly help him. We'll see in the playoffs when those rules aren't enforced as much. And as already stated, he is horrible defensively.

Mulletsoldier · 03-14-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo

I tihnk Jagr is the best pure offesnive threat but he has problems stepping up. You can frustrate him and get under his skin pretty easily. In high emotional games, such as the playoffs, he tends to disappear if he seen as "the man". Put him in a secondary role (as he was with Mario) and he can flourish. He doens't handle being the number one guy that well....as seen in Washington. He even wasn't that good with the Rangers up until this year but the new rules certainly help him. We'll see in the playoffs when those rules aren't enforced as much. And as already stated, he is horrible defensively.

This year he even criticized his Czech national teammates for resting everything on his shoulders..To me personally, that epitomizes the calibre of player he is. A player like Messier for example, the one Jagr was to have taken the captaincy from this year LIVES for moments when the hopes of each player on the team rests on his shoulders. Take the '94 Eastern Conference finals, Mess not only garuantees the win but scores a hat trick in the third period, forces a game seven and then leads the Rangers to the cup. Now, I realize we are talking best player right now, but with all the talk of clutch performance in this thread I think it can be argued Mess brought it when it had to be brought, everytime. Something that cannot be said about Jagr, and to me that is one of the defining characteristics of a great player.

MGH1982 · 03-14-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectre32

While this is all true, I think Jagar is only excelling b/c of the new NHL style of play. No one can hook him like in the olden days. Forsberg, is still kciking strong, reguardless of the new/old rules.

Damn man in the mid 90's jagr dominated even more than he does now.

CDONDICI · 03-15-2006, 01:14 AM

Best all around player right now Jagr/Forsberg

Jagr has more points but also more GP, they both have a +/- off 21.

Most talented Lecavalier or Ovechkin.

uhockey · 03-15-2006, 08:46 AM

Peter Forsberg is certainly the most talented player in the NHL, but his style has been hampered by the chronic injuries. Jagr is also an excellent player, but he neglects the defensive zone frequently and is not the best "teammate" or leader quality player in the NHL.

I know I'll catch some flak here, but the best player in the NHL CURRENTLY is Ovechkin. What he does on that sorry-ass team is almost unbelievable. He's solid in both zones, is a fierce leader, and is physically dominating of players larger than him both with and without the puck.

A good case could also be made for Joe Thorton.

Spectre32 · 03-15-2006, 09:36 AM

I was watching the Caps game last night and Ovechkin was quite solid. I think he is very talanted but He few and far between on the Caps. I'm not saying my team(Penguins) is in any better shape but so far since the trade deadline we have been winning. Once malkin gets here pittsburgh is going to have a pretty fierce squad. I know right now we have almost the youngest team in the NHL. Gonchar is a massive dissapointment.

Wedgylx · 03-15-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhockey

Peter Forsberg is certainly the most talented player in the NHL, but his style has been hampered by the chronic injuries. Jagr is also an excellent player, but he neglects the defensive zone frequently and is not the best "teammate" or leader quality player in the NHL.

I know I'll catch some flak here, but the best player in the NHL CURRENTLY is Ovechkin. What he does on that sorry-ass team is almost unbelievable. He's solid in both zones, is a fierce leader, and is physically dominating of players larger than him both with and without the puck.

A good case could also be made for Joe Thorton.

Give Ovechkin another couple years, while he's close I don't think hes quite there yet. I'll agree what he does is shocking when you think about what he has as teammates

Rodja · 03-15-2006, 04:13 PM

When Malkin makes it to the NHL, Pittsburgh will have a hell of a team...if they are still in Pittsburgh.

Wedgylx · 03-15-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodja

When Malkin makes it to the NHL, Pittsburgh will have a hell of a team...if they are still in Pittsburgh.

nothing like going bankrupt year after year lol