Hockey Players: Rating
Starting at the top with Joe Sakic, we do our best Casey Kasem imitation and count down the NHL's best players
In compiling our top 100, plus the best performers at each position and behind the bench, we took into account many elements. While the star factor was somewhat important--after all, a player doesn't usually reach the level of an idol without it--we stressed leadership, consistency, versatility, and, of course, production.
Not surprisingly, nine of our top 10 overall players have won Stanley Cups. And No. 10, Dominik Hasek, owns an Olympic gold medal.
While centers dominate the highest rankings, with six in the top 20 (including the top three), there is a fair representation from all positions. Several rising stars made it--Patrik Elias, Marian Hossa, Chris Drury, and Simon Gagne, for instance--joining longtime NHL icons such as Mario Lemieux, Scott Stevens, and Steve Yzerman.
There probably are some surprises on our super century list, too. And we're sure you'll find some omissions that will fire up your feelings and melt the ice around you.
Center
1. JOE SAKIC, COLORADO
His Hart Trophy as league MVP and his leadership and dominance in the playoffs lifted him above everyone else. He's not just the best center in the league, but the best all-around player. (NO. 1 OVERALL)
2. PETER FORSBERG, COLORADO
He's talking the year off, but that doesn't diminish the fact that he's a great checker, skater, and stick-handler, with a nasty streak Sakic lacks. Don't be fooled if the Avs repeat this season without him--he's still a superstar. (2)
3. MARLO LEMIEUX, PITTSBURGH
"Le Magnifique" displayed all of his wondrous skills during his amazing comeback last season. Is he ready to move back to the top of the overall list? He's certainly the best player-owner around. (3)
4. MIKE MODANO, DALLAS
He keeps getting better every season. A terrific leader with a penchant for producing in the clutch, he's learned to play both ways with equal diligence. His teammates love his fire. (7)
5. STEVE YZERMAN, DETROIT
At 36, he's still hockey's premier leader and a force on offense and defense. Few players are as beloved as Yzerman is in Motown. He will have a plaque in the Hall of Fame. (11)
6. MATS SUNDIN, TORONTO
Considered a bit selfish and an underachiever for years, Sundin has emerged as the main force on the rising Leafs. Still, he's not quite as much of a leader as the other top centers. (16)
7. SERGEI FEDOROV, DETROIT
How many teams have a better No. 2 center? Fedorov is capable of dominating games with his enormous collection of skills, and is one of the league's most dangerous power-play performers. (22)
8. DOUG WEIGHT, ST. LOUIS
He didn't get enough credit in Edmonton. A speed demon of a center capable of taking over games at both ends, Weight could be the player to put the Blues over the top. (26)
9. CHRIS DRURY, COLORADO.
Some of the best moves in the game punctuate his style, but Drury has grit, too. A stalwart at killing penalties and on power plays, he is a highlight film waiting to happen. (31)
10. JOE NIEUWENDYK, DALLAS
He barely edges out the Jasons (Allison and Arnott), but he gets our vote because of his long history of big, game contributions. Not as swift as in his prime, but he's very smart and tenacious. (34)
WINGERS
1. JAROMIR JAGR, WASHINGTON
He still has the strength, moves, intelligence, and experience to lead everyone in points. But does he have the heart? We'll find out as he settles into his new home. (NO. 4 OVERALL)
2. PAUL KARIYA, ANAHEIM
With spectacular moves and speed, plus a great finishing touch, Kariya also has tried to improve his all-around game, which is difficult with the weak Ducks. (13)
3. BRENDAN SHANAHAN, DETROIT
Hockey's best power forward, he's a real force on power plays and a gutsy player who doesn't back down. (18)
4. PATRIK ELIAS, NEW JERSEY
The league's newest superstar, Elias is perhaps the most versatile wing in hockey. He's very dangerous killing penalties, too. (20)
5. PAVEL BURE, FLORIDA
"The Russian Rocket" has led the league in goals two straight years. Want to bet it won't be three? (23)
6. TEEMU SELANNE, SAN JOSE
A sniper, he should become a leader on the blossoming Sharks. (Can Sharks blossom?) He's simply deadly on power plays. (24)
7. MARIAN HOSSA, OTTAWA
Strong and versatile, Hossa is ready to assume a leadership role in Canada's capital. He has overcome the stigma of the Bryan Berard injury. (27)
8. OWEN NOLAN, SAN JOSE
A top-notch leader with a mean streak and enviable ruggedness, Nolan just needs to stay in the lineup more. (28)
9. JOHN LECLAIR, PHILADELPHIA
Philly's most indispensible player, LeClair is a leader with great touch. He's unafraid to challenge anybody and he's one of the best around the net, but alas he's also injury prone. (29)
10. TONY AMONTE, CHICAGO
The best player on this very bad team by miles, Amonte deserves better than to be stuck with the Blackhawks. He's in the last year of his contract, so come March he could make the difference for a contender. (30)
11. ALEXEI KOVALEV, PITTSBURGH
He has come into his own in Pittsburgh and might just be the league's most improved player over the last two years. (32)
12. PETER BONDRA, WASHINGTON
After getting his new contract last season, Bondra performed like a topflight winger. He's an excellent sniper, but he won't help much at the other end. (33)
13. KEITH TKACHUK, ST. LOUIS
Being dealt away from Phoenix should resurrect his career. Tkachuk is another fine power forward with 45 to 50 goal capability. (37)
14. MILAN HEJDUK, COLORADO
He's not as well-rounded as Colorado's centers, but Hejduk's a sharpshooter with terrific moves and a huge upside. (41)
15. DANIEL ALFREDSSON, OTTAWA
A classy player who gets virtually ignored in Ottawa, Alfredsson could use a little nastiness. (44)
16. MARTIN STRAKA, PITTSBURGH
Has developed wonderfully in the land of repatriated Czechs, but now he needs to make up for Jagr's absence. (45)
17. MARKUS NASLUND, VANCOUVER
He quietly had a super year before getting hurl Naslund is the unequivocal leader up front for one of NHLs better young squads. (50)
18. LUC ROBITAILLE, DETROIT
After all these years, he still regularly lights the lamp--especially on power plays--and makes the big plays.(51)
19. THEO FLEURY, N.Y. RANGERS
Coming off substance-abuse problems that derailed his best season, the pesky, energetic Fleury is more versatile than he gets credit for. (56)
20. ZIGGY PALFFY, LOS ANGELES
With Robitaille gone, Ziggy becomes the focal point at forward with the Kings. He can handle the burden, with or without the Spiders from Mars. (57)
His Hart Trophy as league MVP and his leadership and dominance in the playoffs lifted him above everyone else. He's not just the best center in the league, but the best all-around player. (NO. 1 OVERALL)
2. PETER FORSBERG, COLORADO
He's talking the year off, but that doesn't diminish the fact that he's a great checker, skater, and stick-handler, with a nasty streak Sakic lacks. Don't be fooled if the Avs repeat this season without him--he's still a superstar. (2)
3. MARLO LEMIEUX, PITTSBURGH
"Le Magnifique" displayed all of his wondrous skills during his amazing comeback last season. Is he ready to move back to the top of the overall list? He's certainly the best player-owner around. (3)
4. MIKE MODANO, DALLAS
He keeps getting better every season. A terrific leader with a penchant for producing in the clutch, he's learned to play both ways with equal diligence. His teammates love his fire. (7)
5. STEVE YZERMAN, DETROIT
At 36, he's still hockey's premier leader and a force on offense and defense. Few players are as beloved as Yzerman is in Motown. He will have a plaque in the Hall of Fame. (11)
6. MATS SUNDIN, TORONTO
Considered a bit selfish and an underachiever for years, Sundin has emerged as the main force on the rising Leafs. Still, he's not quite as much of a leader as the other top centers. (16)
7. SERGEI FEDOROV, DETROIT
How many teams have a better No. 2 center? Fedorov is capable of dominating games with his enormous collection of skills, and is one of the league's most dangerous power-play performers. (22)
8. DOUG WEIGHT, ST. LOUIS
He didn't get enough credit in Edmonton. A speed demon of a center capable of taking over games at both ends, Weight could be the player to put the Blues over the top. (26)
9. CHRIS DRURY, COLORADO.
Some of the best moves in the game punctuate his style, but Drury has grit, too. A stalwart at killing penalties and on power plays, he is a highlight film waiting to happen. (31)
10. JOE NIEUWENDYK, DALLAS
He barely edges out the Jasons (Allison and Arnott), but he gets our vote because of his long history of big, game contributions. Not as swift as in his prime, but he's very smart and tenacious. (34)
WINGERS
1. JAROMIR JAGR, WASHINGTON
He still has the strength, moves, intelligence, and experience to lead everyone in points. But does he have the heart? We'll find out as he settles into his new home. (NO. 4 OVERALL)
2. PAUL KARIYA, ANAHEIM
With spectacular moves and speed, plus a great finishing touch, Kariya also has tried to improve his all-around game, which is difficult with the weak Ducks. (13)
3. BRENDAN SHANAHAN, DETROIT
Hockey's best power forward, he's a real force on power plays and a gutsy player who doesn't back down. (18)
4. PATRIK ELIAS, NEW JERSEY
The league's newest superstar, Elias is perhaps the most versatile wing in hockey. He's very dangerous killing penalties, too. (20)
5. PAVEL BURE, FLORIDA
"The Russian Rocket" has led the league in goals two straight years. Want to bet it won't be three? (23)
6. TEEMU SELANNE, SAN JOSE
A sniper, he should become a leader on the blossoming Sharks. (Can Sharks blossom?) He's simply deadly on power plays. (24)
7. MARIAN HOSSA, OTTAWA
Strong and versatile, Hossa is ready to assume a leadership role in Canada's capital. He has overcome the stigma of the Bryan Berard injury. (27)
8. OWEN NOLAN, SAN JOSE
A top-notch leader with a mean streak and enviable ruggedness, Nolan just needs to stay in the lineup more. (28)
9. JOHN LECLAIR, PHILADELPHIA
Philly's most indispensible player, LeClair is a leader with great touch. He's unafraid to challenge anybody and he's one of the best around the net, but alas he's also injury prone. (29)
10. TONY AMONTE, CHICAGO
The best player on this very bad team by miles, Amonte deserves better than to be stuck with the Blackhawks. He's in the last year of his contract, so come March he could make the difference for a contender. (30)
11. ALEXEI KOVALEV, PITTSBURGH
He has come into his own in Pittsburgh and might just be the league's most improved player over the last two years. (32)
12. PETER BONDRA, WASHINGTON
After getting his new contract last season, Bondra performed like a topflight winger. He's an excellent sniper, but he won't help much at the other end. (33)
13. KEITH TKACHUK, ST. LOUIS
Being dealt away from Phoenix should resurrect his career. Tkachuk is another fine power forward with 45 to 50 goal capability. (37)
14. MILAN HEJDUK, COLORADO
He's not as well-rounded as Colorado's centers, but Hejduk's a sharpshooter with terrific moves and a huge upside. (41)
15. DANIEL ALFREDSSON, OTTAWA
A classy player who gets virtually ignored in Ottawa, Alfredsson could use a little nastiness. (44)
16. MARTIN STRAKA, PITTSBURGH
Has developed wonderfully in the land of repatriated Czechs, but now he needs to make up for Jagr's absence. (45)
17. MARKUS NASLUND, VANCOUVER
He quietly had a super year before getting hurl Naslund is the unequivocal leader up front for one of NHLs better young squads. (50)
18. LUC ROBITAILLE, DETROIT
After all these years, he still regularly lights the lamp--especially on power plays--and makes the big plays.(51)
19. THEO FLEURY, N.Y. RANGERS
Coming off substance-abuse problems that derailed his best season, the pesky, energetic Fleury is more versatile than he gets credit for. (56)
20. ZIGGY PALFFY, LOS ANGELES
With Robitaille gone, Ziggy becomes the focal point at forward with the Kings. He can handle the burden, with or without the Spiders from Mars. (57)
DEFENSEMEN
1. NICKLAS LIDSTROM, DETROIT
A magician on the power play and the best puck-advancer from the blue line, perennial Norris Trophy candidate Lidstrom is, finally, a winner. (NO. 6 OVERALL)
A magician on the power play and the best puck-advancer from the blue line, perennial Norris Trophy candidate Lidstrom is, finally, a winner. (NO. 6 OVERALL)
2. ROB BLAKE, COLORADO
Blake proved during the playoffs that he's a strong leader with a terrific all-around game. Having Blake negates the loss of Ray Bourque. (9)
3. CHRIS PRONGER, ST. LOUIS
"Prongs" needs to get back to intimidating, overpowering form of his 2000 MVP year. He should. (12)
4. AL MACINNIS, ST. LOUIS
Not just the hardest shooter in the league, he's a solid, versatile performer. One negative: He's injury-prone. (14)
5. SCOTT STEVENS, NEW JERSEY
One of hockey's warriors and top leaders; nobody delivers more crunching hits. (17)
6. ADAM FOOTE, COLORADO
He makes a mistake about once a millennium. Also eases Avs' loss of Bourque. (19)
7. BRIAN LEETCH, N.Y. RANGERS
He's not nearly as good as he was in his prime, but Leetch is still a dangerous skater and puckmover. (21)
8. ED JOVANOSKI, VANCOUVER
"Jovo Cop" hits with the best of them and has upgraded every other area of his game. (42)
9. AARON MILLER, LOS ANGELES
Vastly underrated, Miller showed what he could do as a No. 1 defense-man after last season's trade to the Kings. (46)
10. DERIAN HATCHER, DALLAS
When healthy, which isn't often enough, Hatcher is a terrifying hitter and defender. (48)
When healthy, which isn't often enough, Hatcher is a terrifying hitter and defender. (48)
11. SCOTT NIEDERMAYER, NEW JERSEY
With good speed and a very creative streak, Niedermayer has improved his play in his own zone. He's a nice complement to his Devils teammates. (49)
12. BRIAN RAFALSKI, NEW JERSEY
He's a rising star who matle his mark in the 2000 playoffs and was even better last spring. (55)
13. GARY SUTER, SAN JOSE
An old standby who remains steady and productive, Suter is a good teacher for the young Sharks. (63)
14. SERGEI GONCHAR, WASHINGTON
Very inconsistent, but when he is on, especially with the puck, he is superb. (691)
15. MATHIEU SCHNEIDER, LOS ANGELES
Advertisement Among the best offensive defensemen in hockey, Schneider has upgraded his work in front of the net. (71)
16. WADE REDDEN, OTTAWA
He doesn't get enough plaudits because of where he plays. Still Redden is young (24) and improving. (84)
17. KENNY JONSSON, N.Y. ISLANDERS
If he played for a better team, he'd be recognized more. Jonsson was highly sought after around the trading deadline, which says a lot.
18. DARRYL SYDOR, DALLAS
He'S no longer at his peak, but Sydor is capable of making huge plays at critical times.
19. ERIC DESJARDINS, PHILADELPHIA
Another player on the downside, but still formidable, Desjardins is a model captain.
20. RICHARD MATVICHUK, DALLAS
Opponents have learned to keep an eye on him when they have the puck. He really benefits from the system in Dallas.
GOALIES
1. PATRICK ROY, COLORADO
Still "Mr. Clutch," he now is one championship away from a full handful of Stanley Cup rings. Anyone want to wager he won't get it? Bets are off, though it he's dealt back to Montreal, of course. (NO, 5 OVERALL)
Still "Mr. Clutch," he now is one championship away from a full handful of Stanley Cup rings. Anyone want to wager he won't get it? Bets are off, though it he's dealt back to Montreal, of course. (NO, 5 OVERALL)
2. MARTIN BRODEUR, NEW JERSEY
Losing Game 7 of the Finals dropped him behind his idol Roy, but Brodeur still is on track for a Hall of Fame statue. He's the best stick-handling goaltender in NHL history--by far. (8)
3. DOMINIK HASEK, DETROIT
"The Dominator" needs a Stanley Cup to solidify his reputation. His regular-season work often is better than his playoff performances. But he won an Olympic gold medal for his country and just might win another this winter. (10)
4. CURTIS JOSEPH, TORONTO
"Cujo" can be hockey's most spectacular netminder, and he all mooften needs to be while playing for the defense-challenged Leafs. No top-flight goalie faces as many quality shots or stops as many. (15)
5. ED BELFOUR, DALLAS
A bit on the kooky side (aren't all goalies?), Belfour still has lapses that cost him and his team. But he has a championship and keeps the Stars close on most nights. (25)
6. BYRON DAFOE, BOSTON
Look at Boston's record (14-16-1) when Dafoe did not play in 2000-01. Simply put: The Bruins make the playoffs if he stays healthy. (39)
7. TOMMY SALO, EDMONTON
Another overworked goalie who prospers from seeing lots of rubber, Sale has disproved critics who said he loses concentration and allows soft goals. (43)
8. OLAF KOLZIG, WASHINGTON
"The Godzilla of Goalies" has not been a monster lately, perhaps because he hasn't gotten enough support or rest. At 31, however, he should just be entering his prime. (47)
9. ARTURS IRBE, CAROLINA
Irbe plays even more than Kolzig and Sale and, despite his small stature, stands tall every night. He's probably the most underrated netminder in the game. (53)
10. MANNY FERNANDEZ, MINNESOTA
Was sensational last season for a first-year team, as he became an untouchable for the Wild. When Minnesota is ready to contend, he'll be the backbone. (59)
COACHES
1. SCOTTY BOWMAN, DETROIT
Still the best. Until he retires, Bowman will be a step above. Nobody makes better adjustments during a game or mixes up lines with such skill.
2. JOEL QUENNEVILLE, ST. LOUIS
Sure, they haven't won it all with him, but Quenneville gets more out of the Blues than almost anyone else could. Popular and strong at adapting to whatever style is needed.
3. LARRY ROBINSON, NEW JERSEY
He took a team in turmoil under Robbie Ftorek, won a Cup in 2000 and then got back to the Finals in 2001. A terrific communicator and teacher.
4. BOB HARTLEY, COLORADO
Criticized unfairly for not winning with the Avs' strong roster, he made most of the right moves last spring. It's not easy to meet such high expectations, but Hartley did.
5. ANDY MURRAY, LOS ANGELES
The rising star among coaches. What he did with the Kings last year, especially after the Rob Blake trade, was phenomenal.
6. LINDY RUFF, BUFFALO
A team with little firepower and often missing its most important player, Dominik Hasek, still was a perennial playoff qualifier. Let's see how Ruff does without "the Dominator."
7. KEN HITCHCOCK, DALLAS
Are the Stars getting tired of this disciplinarian with his strict adherence to a defensive style? Perhaps. But HitchcoCk knows how to exploit an opponent's weaknesses.
8. JACQUES MARTIN, OTTAWA
He gets so much out of his players and has an eye for talent. He also works well with Europeans. But the team always underachieves in the playoffs.
9. BARRY TROTZ, NASHVILLE
Competitive every night despite a weak lineup, the Predators owe much to his intelligence. As some of his younger players blossom, Trotz will get his props.
10. DARRYL SUTTER, SAN JOSE
A young team in need of guidance and motivation has the right guy in this Sutter brother. The Sharks are formidable not just because of their talent, but the work ethic Sutter insists upon.
Labels: Hockey
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