BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 This question gets asked over and over and over again, but a reason why it gets asked is because it changes over and over and over again. I'd say... 1. Crosby - Still the best, and many people will argue, but he did have the best point per game average in the regular season and the most points in the playoffs. Still carries the load when need be, I think he's the best for sure. 2. Ovechkin 3. Zetterberg 4. Datsyuk 5. Malkin 6. Iginla 7. Thornton 8. Lecavalier 9. Heatley 10. Kovalchuk Might make this list by next season: Getzlaf, Richards, Gaborik, and... Franzen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Wow, that's pretty much dead on. Thornton, Lecavalier, Heatley could be moved around maybe, but the rest are in place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torless 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 This question gets asked over and over and over again, but a reason why it gets asked is because it changes over and over and over again. I'd say... 1. Crosby - Still the best, and many people will argue, but he did have the best point per game average in the regular season and the most points in the playoffs. Still carries the load when need be, I think he's the best for sure. 2. Ovechkin 3. Zetterberg 4. Datsyuk 5. Malkin 6. Iginla 7. Thornton 8. Lecavalier 9. Heatley 10. Kovalchuk Might make this list by next season: Getzlaf, Richards, Gaborik, and... Franzen? I say Brad Boyes needs to be in the list... he only flies under the radar because of being on the crappy Blues. 43 goals and almost 21% shooting... that deserves some recognition. Compare that to Crosby's 13.9%, Malkin's 17.3% and Z's 12% for the year. He would be top 10 points if it weren't for his mediocre team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 This question gets asked over and over and over again, but a reason why it gets asked is because it changes over and over and over again. I'd say... 1. Crosby - Still the best, and many people will argue, but he did have the best point per game average in the regular season and the most points in the playoffs. Still carries the load when need be, I think he's the best for sure. 2. Ovechkin 3. Zetterberg 4. Datsyuk 5. Malkin 6. Iginla 7. Thornton 8. Lecavalier 9. Heatley 10. Kovalchuk Might make this list by next season: Getzlaf, Richards, Gaborik, and... Franzen? I pretty much agree with the list but it all depends on criteria. Obviously Crosby is not as good defensively as either Z or Datsyuk but is probably more of an impact player offenively. Given the choice who would you rather have? I'd take Z over Crosby because as we have seen once again, Defense wins cups. Crosby may be better offensively but that defense thing is just as important and I don't think that you will find anybody that thinks that Crosby is better than Z or Pavs defensively. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 I say Brad Boyes needs to be in the list... he only flies under the radar because of being on the crappy Blues. 43 goals and almost 21% shooting... that deserves some recognition. Compare that to Crosby's 13.9%, Malkin's 17.3% and Z's 12% for the year. He would be top 10 points if it weren't for his mediocre team. I'm not sure that that means anything. Homer finished the season with a 14.6% but you won't find anybody that thinks Homer is better than Sidney. Homer's high percentage is a reflection of where most of his shots come from - in front of the net where the percentages are higher. Lidstrom's is 5.6% because his shots are coming from the point. Filpulla's is 15.6%. Anybody think that Flip is better than Crosby? No but Flip chooses his shots. My point is that this is a meaningless stat. By the way, lowest of the forwards on the Wings? Sammy of course. 4.4% but if you every watched Sammy play you would already know this. So Brad Boyles chooses his shots better. But then again so does Filpulla. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Anyone forgetting about Hossa? Worth mentioning before Franzen at least. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wingman 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Good list. I like your mention of Franzen and even if it's highly unlikely he'll make that list, he's a wildcard alright. Heatley should be there sure, but I've got a streaky feeling for him. He'll put up loads of points as long as the team is having success, only to struggle when they don't. Same with Spezza. Highly talented players, but no distinct leaders or game-changers yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Thornton, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Alfredsson, Lecavalier, Spezza, Kovalchuk In any order, no clear no.1 for whole season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeeRYCE 2 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 I say Brad Boyes needs to be in the list... he only flies under the radar because of being on the crappy Blues. 43 goals and almost 21% shooting... that deserves some recognition. Compare that to Crosby's 13.9%, Malkin's 17.3% and Z's 12% for the year. He would be top 10 points if it weren't for his mediocre team. Brad Boyes is not an elite player, it would even be a stretch to put him on a top 30 list. His game is way too one dimensional. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torless 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 I'm not sure that that means anything. Homer finished the season with a 14.6% but you won't find anybody that thinks Homer is better than Sidney. Homer's high percentage is a reflection of where most of his shots come from - in front of the net where the percentages are higher. Lidstrom's is 5.6% because his shots are coming from the point. Filpulla's is 15.6%. Anybody think that Flip is better than Crosby? No but Flip chooses his shots. My point is that this is a meaningless stat. By the way, lowest of the forwards on the Wings? Sammy of course. 4.4% but if you every watched Sammy play you would already know this. So Brad Boyles chooses his shots better. But then again so does Filpulla. Obviously it's not the important stat - but we're talking about the top scorer on his team... and that team is the St. Louis Blues. When we're talking about 43 goals vs. 20 goals, percentage is a pretty big stat. The only reason he is not being talked about is that he isn't a Red Wing, he isn't a Penguin and he isn't on the Capitals. Maybe best of the worst isn't much to talk about, but this guy's doing something with nothing... at least the other top forwards have a top set-up man or two at their side. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anomalously 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 (edited) Hard to argue against the list you put together. I'd put Malkin one lower, though. Yes, he had a great season. Yes, he has great potential. Iginla is more complete. I'd also take Kovalchuk off the list [picking on Russians today, I guess]. I would stick Brendan Morrow there instead. This year he really took a step, he's the consummate leader, face of a franchise, 34G, 42A for 74 points. Played every game. 9 goals in the playoffs, including that huge GWG 3OT. Gritty, hard working. Out for every situation. Only two forwards played more TOI/G in the playoffs, both are on this list [Ovechkin, Thornton]. And he's not even the most talented forward on his team. But he's definitely the "top" forward, the 10th on my list. Honorable mentions -- you nailed Getzlaf, he's making this list next year. Kovalev was the resurgent player of the year, could be on this list, not sure if he will be next year. Ribeiro had a strong year, Kane or Toews could be here too; if Jokinen gets somebody to play with (gets traded), maybe we'll see his production up a notch. Hard to deny Hossa a spot on this list, but while he had a hell of a playoffs, he just wasn't there for the first 82. Also want to point out that Crosby was second in PPG -- Ovechkin beat him. [Technically, Forsberg did too, but with very, very limited games.] Crosby showed up big time in the playoffs though, I'd have him and Ovechkin 1a and 1b. To sum up: 1a. Crosby; 1b. Ovechkin; 3. Zetterberg; 4. Datsyuk; 5. Iginla; 6. Malkin; 7. Thornton; 8. Lecavalier; 9. Heatley; 10. Morrow, with Getzlaf, Kovalev, Ribeiro, Kane, Toews, Jokinen, Hossa [and obviously Koalchuk, it's really hard to bounce a 50-goal scorer] on the cusp Edited June 18, 2008 by Anomalously Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turretin 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Everyone is forgetting one of the most talented all around forwards in the league. This guy is really underrated (an example would be everyone on here forgetting him). Honorable Mention: Jere Lehtinen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 This question gets asked over and over and over again, but a reason why it gets asked is because it changes over and over and over again. I'd say... 1. Crosby - Still the best, and many people will argue, but he did have the best point per game average in the regular season and the most points in the playoffs. Still carries the load when need be, I think he's the best for sure. 2. Ovechkin 3. Zetterberg 4. Datsyuk 5. Malkin 6. Iginla 7. Thornton 8. Lecavalier 9. Heatley 10. Kovalchuk Might make this list by next season: Getzlaf, Richards, Gaborik, and... Franzen? That's about right...though I'm still not sold on Crosby. The top four is extremely close. Maybe I'd put Datsyuk ahead of Z, but it's a moot point. I'd drop Malkin. I used to think he was amazing, but you've got to be ac omplete player. Apparently he can only be good when his feelings aren't hurt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEVILSWATERBOY 10 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 This question gets asked over and over and over again, but a reason why it gets asked is because it changes over and over and over again. I'd say... 1. Crosby - Still the best, and many people will argue, but he did have the best point per game average in the regular season and the most points in the playoffs. Still carries the load when need be, I think he's the best for sure. 2. Ovechkin 3. Zetterberg 4. Datsyuk 5. Malkin 6. Iginla 7. Thornton 8. Lecavalier 9. Heatley 10. Kovalchuk I like the list but Crosby is not the best out there, until he learns how to put stats aside and play to way hockey, once he does that and still puts up good stats than yes but until then it is between Ove and Zeek. Might make this list by next season: Getzlaf, Richards, Gaborik, and... Franzen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stud_defenseman 1 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Everyone is forgetting one of the most talented all around forwards in the league. This guy is really underrated (an example would be everyone on here forgetting him). Honorable Mention: Jere Lehtinen Jere Lehtinen... was that sarcasm? C'mon, there are atleast 2 players on his own team that are better than him who I would not put on the top 10. Morrow and Ribiero at the moment are top 20 players, as one guy already said morrow could possibly fit into the top ten. Lehtinen is maybe top 30 if he played a full season this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dicksmack 33 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Crosby's better than Zetterberg? Based on what? If we learned anything from the Stanley cup final, it was that head-to-head, complete players win hands down... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Crosby's better than Zetterberg? Based on what? If we learned anything from the Stanley cup final, it was that head-to-head, complete players win hands down... The Stanley Cup finals aren't played 1 on 1... Crosby played well and lead the playoffs in scoring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 I say Brad Boyes needs to be in the list... he only flies under the radar because of being on the crappy Blues. 43 goals and almost 21% shooting... that deserves some recognition. Compare that to Crosby's 13.9%, Malkin's 17.3% and Z's 12% for the year. He would be top 10 points if it weren't for his mediocre team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dicksmack 33 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 The Stanley Cup finals aren't played 1 on 1... Crosby played well and lead the playoffs in scoring. Unconvincing. Zetterberg lead his team to the cup... Two-way players beat one-way wonders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Unconvincing. Zetterberg lead his team to the cup... Two-way players beat one-way wonders. Amen. Crosby has a LOT of growing up to do. By the end of his career he could be as amazing as people say he is now, but he's still a very immature hockey player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Unconvincing. Zetterberg lead his team to the cup... Two-way players beat one-way wonders. Exactly. If we are talking about the best players, we have to consider all aspects of their games and Z is far superior defensively than Crosby. Granted that Crosby is very talented and that his game is still improving, but in 2008 Sidney is not the best forward in the league. Even if he is Canadian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daniel1 32 Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Rather than "Top 10" based on just points and stats; these are the Top 10 that I would want on my team for reasons such as ability, character, leadership, determination, clutch play, and innate hockey IQ. Sometimes the "best" player isn't the one that gets the most points but rather gets them at the most important time, or plays his best when the game/series/season is on the line (think 5 on 3 with Crosby trying to shovel the puck in at the side of the net). Crosby might rank higher in points during the season but he's way down on my list due to his inadequacies when it comes to character, leadership and clutch play. 1. Zetterberg 2. Iginla 3. Ovechkin 4. Datsyuk 5. Morrow 6. Lecavallier 7. Alfredsson 8. Crosby 9. Thornton 10. Malkin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted June 19, 2008 Top 10 Forwards "offensively" 1. Ovechkin 2. Crosby 3. Malkin 4. Thornton 5. Lecavalier 6. Datsyuk 7. Kovalchuk 8. Iginla 9. Zetterberg 10. Spezza ..or something like that Top 10 "most complete" forwards 1. Zetterberg 2. Iginla 3. Datsyuk 4. Alfredsson 5. Hossa 6. Lecavalier 7. Thornton 8. Ovechkin 9. Crosby 10. Malkin Honorable Mention: Mike Richards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,153 Report post Posted June 19, 2008 (edited) The Stanley Cup finals aren't played 1 on 1... Crosby played well and lead TIED the playoffs in scoring. Fixed it for you! ...he was tied with Zetterberg, who, by the way, NHL.COM lists AHEAD of Crosby in the stats section... ...I guess you win the Cup, you win the Conn Smythe you get the tied break! LOL! ...so, officially, per the NHL, Crosby was #2 BEHIND Zetterberg... Edited June 20, 2008 by LeftWinger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,153 Report post Posted June 19, 2008 Amen. Crosby has a LOT of growing up to do. By the end of his career he could be as amazing as people say he is now, but he's still a very immature hockey player. ...or he could be the next Eric Lindros, too much weight on his shoulders. As long as he stays away from Rod Brind'Amour's wife! LOL! (inside joke) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
