NHL's Top 50: Nicklas Lidstrom (No. 7)

Datsyuk is not as good a scorer as Malkin, but he is the best defensive forward in the league. To me, that makes him better than Malkin. Obviously Ovechkin is number one. Anyone who denies that has to be a homer or just blind. But I think that Datsyuk takes 2 with Malkin at 3. Crosby is at 4 or 5 (I'd go with 5, personally)

I think we can both agree that the two after Ovechkin are pretty interchangable.

Datsyuk and Malkin do wonders for their respective teams. I chose Malkin over Pavel because frankly speaking the last two years Crosbys fragile rear sat out for significant time, and it was Malkin who supercharged his game and helped carry them to the playoffs. I dont think Crosby is even the best player on his team, Datsyuk plays better defense, but Malkin is coming into his own now, and as good as hes been the last two years? Keeps getting better, i think next season hell possibly be even more explosive.

Im not a Pens fan either, so for me to say that means something, lol.

I can go along with saying they are interchangeable. Malkin is the second best scorer in the league, has some great stick handling and skating and has led his team to a cup. Datsyuk is by far the better defender, has amazing stick handling (Mickey Redmond and Ken Daniels have coined his moves the "Datsyukian Deke"), fast as hell, and helped lead his team to a cup. They each have their own strengths. They both have also become strong hitters (or at least they both were in the playoffs)

And yeah, I'm not a Pens fan. I'm a diehard Wings fan

I dont think you could go wrong with either one, Josh. I guess what im looking at is their respective points in career. Pavel is established and is now that 95+ point a season guy who plays supberly clean defense, and Malkin is at that stage in his career when most of the all time greats have had their best statistical seasons, his mid 20's. Those have been the years when the best players of all time set career marks, and with each passing season Malkin has vastly improved his all around game, while markedly improved his point totals.

Honestly though to pick one or the other? Would be like hitting the lottery either way :)

I actually played in a fantasy league where i wound up with both Malkin AND Datsyuk, i literally watched some guy pick Semin over Malkin, enabling me to snag him eagerly. You can guess who won that respective league, lol.

http://archive.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nhl/2008/88740/8

That link should show you the team i mentioned, by signing on to Yahoo.

It says I have to be part of the league to view it but I believe you. I was in an ESPN league last year where I snagged Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Ovechkin, and Nabakov with my first four picks. You just get lucky sometimes.

I guess we have to wait until tomorrow to find out who nos. 6 & 5 are. I really hope Luongo makes this list, it better not be Thomas. Datsyuk should be ranked no lower than fourth, and i really believe no lower than third, but its Gretz were talking here, lol.

As it is, there are 4 forwards and three goalies left I think can make. Hopefully Fleury is the one who doesn't make this list. He's definitely not one of the best goalies in the league.

I'm betting it'll end up like this:
1. Ovechkin
2. Malkin
3. Crosby
4. Datsyuk
5. Thomas
6. Luongo

I'd have it Ovechkin, Datsyuk, Malkin, Luongo, Crosby, Thomas though.

Well id agree if Ovechkin played center, but since he plays the most offensive position in hockey? Id say its pretty much his job to chill in the zone waiting for the outlet. Noone has more dynamic moves than Ovechkin does, and noone is more feared when theyre on a breakaway than Alex.

At least he makes an effort to play some defense, which is more than the norm for most players at his position. You could pair him with any of the great centers in the league and they would explode offensively. This is why Ovechkin is more than likely number one on this list.

I can understand where you're coming from with that, but next time you watch the Caps, look for the following. If Mike Green is in the offensive zone and gets caught hanging around in the zone too long, guess who's often covering up Green's mistake by taking his position temporarily on defense? It's Ovechkin.

Who can change the momentum of the game with a huge hit? It's Ovechkin.

That's good to know. Hopefully, like I said above, Fleury doesn't make this list. I fear he will though. =\

I think its going to be something like this..

1)Ovechkin
2)Malkin
3)Datsyuk
4)Crosby
5)Luongo
6)Iginla

Jerome hasnt been mentioned yet, and theres no way in hades he doesnt make this list. Luongo ranks higher because hes the best goalie in the NHL, if he went to a top flight contender, theyd instantly be the favorites for the Cup, as it stands Vancouver has him and theyre marginal contenders.

Claytor: Yeah, Adam just (kinda) confirmed that Iginla is in the list. I totally forgot about him. Go figure. I can't believe the reigning Vezina winner isn't going to make the list though. That doesn't seem right.

Ovechkin, Malkin, Crosby, Datsyuk, Luongo, Iginla, I think is the top 6 the way they will put it.

Adam: As soon as you put up the final article and finish out the list, you should really consider putting up a snubs/error list. It'd be a great discussion for us, I think. (nothing against your list, of course, I just think something like that is a necessity)

While i agree that Tim is a solid goaltender, i was able to pick him up in later rounds through drafting in favor of going for more offense. That does speak nicely for how i valued him, knowing id have that goalie in the pocket for later picks, it also shows his importance. If he were a must have goalie, he wouldnt get picked in later rounds, hed have gone when Luongo did, or Brodeur, or even Lundqvist. Thats not to say hes not as good as them, but hes almost 33, and plays in an excellent defensive system with current Norris winner Chara.

I think he deserved to be on this list more than oh, Backstrum, because i think he was the product of Lemaires trap system more than pure talent. Yeah, i was sitting here thinking about Jerome, and was like this guy HAS to make this list...incredible goal scorer, competitive fire rivaled by few, does anything it takes to help that team win, pure physical force to be reckoned with. He put that Calgary team on his back during the Cup year, and if that team played with half of his intensity, they wouldve won it.

Ryan Getzlaf is prolly the guy. As much as I don't like him, the guy is a horse.

As for Lidstrom, I'd rate him #2 all time in the NHL & #3 All time in hockey. I'd have Slava Fetisov at #2 behind Orr, but most of his career was spent in Russia.

W/ all due respect to Gordie & Steve, I'd also have Lidstrom #1 as the best all time Red Wing.

@dankkee

Getzlaf was #19.