FanHouse's Adam Gretz takes a look at his top 50 players in the NHL. No. 3 is Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby.
We've now reached the top three, which means we've reached the point where things should start to really take off.
Some of you haven't been too happy with my rankings to this point -- or the players that haven't been included -- and I imagine the top three, regardless of the order, will be no different. And that's fine. I've enjoyed the feedback, positive and negative, and the discussions it generated, and because of that, in some areas, some of my opinions have been swayed (we'll get to that on Thursday).
As I've said from the very beginning, rankings like these are always going to be up for debate and, for the most part, very subjective. It is, after all, just one man's opinion.
When I started this project over a month ago, I went through every roster in the NHL and picked who I thought were each team's 10 best players, and from there, started picking with this question in mind: if I were building a team to win the Stanley Cup in 2009-10, who would I pick first? I started making my picks, and Sidney Crosby went No. 3.
Since he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2005, Crosby has been the "face of the NHL," and the player its PR machine has marketed above all others. He's an amazing player, and still has his best hockey in front of him (just like the two guys I have ahead of him). However, I've been arguing for the past two years that he might not even be the best player on his own team, let alone the best player in the league. Following the 2006-07 season, I think you could have made a rather convincing argument for him, but in the years since, I think Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin have not only caught him, but also passed him. Ovechkin is clearly the better goal-scorer, as is Malkin, who I also think is the better defensive player and has become his equal when it comes to distributing the puck.
He's the type of talent that doesn't come along very often, and hockey fans have been blessed that he's going to be playing in an era where two equally freakish talents entered the league at the exact same time.
As for his list of accomplishments through the first four years of his career ...
-- Youngest player to record 100 points in a single season (18)
-- Youngest player to win the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer (19)
-- Youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup (21)
-- Won the Hart Trophy and Lester B. Pearson award during the 2006-07 season
And for your obligatory YouTube video...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-11-2009 @ 12:17PM
John said...
Yep, those 3 points during the SCF along with allowing 4th liner Kirk Maltby get in his head the entire series sure was impressive. Even Justin Abdelkader scored more goals in 2 games then Crosby did in 7.
Can we please rename this Adam Gretz's Top 50 and not try to pass this off and Fanhouse's NHL's Top 50?
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8-11-2009 @ 1:01PM
adamfanhouse said...
John, it IS my top-50. That's what the opening paragraph in every post since the beginning has said and I've never tried to hide that it is my personal top-50. I know you think I have some sort of agenda against the Red Wings, but I'll just point out, again, that I included five Red Wings, which is more than any other team (the Flyers were next with four).
8-11-2009 @ 12:35PM
Justin said...
I agree. If I were starting a new team tomorrow, I would definitely pick Justin Abdelkader with my first pick in the expansion draft. Based on those important two games that you mentioned, he's a goal per game guy! Who could pass that up?!
Gretz: Are there any fourth liners in this top 50? What's up with that?
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8-11-2009 @ 1:02PM
Bruce Ciskie said...
I'm sure that pretty much every Pittsburgh fan on the planet would rate four Philadelphia Flyers among the top 50 players in the league.
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8-11-2009 @ 1:59PM
claytor said...
Crosby definitely deserves his place among the top five. Even though i dont like the Pens i have to give credit where its due.
Id have to put him fourth, and im sure that sounds evil or something (fourth in the league? thats pretty frigging good, cmon!), and again, its because of his glaring defensive issues. When he hits someone often he hurts himself more than the guy he nailed, hes left games halfway through playing because basically speaking hes pretty fragile. Being "The face of the NHL", and being the best overall talent are two different things. He played in 77 games this season, yet it felt more like he played a full 60.
Some will say well Ovechkin doesnt exactly play marvelous defense either, but hes a winger, and more often than not those guys are supposed to be the most offensive players on the team(unless you play in Minnesota or Philly), the center being the guy whos supposed to create scoring chances and break down the opposing teams best overall player. Crosby simply doesnt do that anywhere near as consistently as Datsyuk or Malkin.
Im glad to see that Adam agrees on the Malkin front, he is only a year older than Sid, and also has a lotttt of hockey left, itll be interesting to see who truly finishes their career ranked higher across the board.
My moneys on Malkin.
Oh yeah, one more thing...i know its a sure pick to take Ovechkin as far as no.1 is concerned? But id take Malkin or Datsyuk any day before either him or Sid, helped win me fantasy hockey championships by selecting those seemingly underappreciated two.
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8-11-2009 @ 9:53PM
billh23 said...
Ovechkin needs to realise that the new nhl requires you to play both ends. If he worried more about team play and less about his ice antics then he would be better off.
8-11-2009 @ 2:24PM
darci said...
WOW, Claytor I finally agree with you here. I would ALSO take Malkin over Ovechkin any day, but I bet Adam has him at #1.
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8-11-2009 @ 3:28PM
chiefangus said...
Crosby is another overated marketing failure of Gary Bettmans. Will the coyotes mess finally get him fired? Probably not.
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8-11-2009 @ 3:54PM
darci said...
and YOU are obviously another hockey "fan" - NOT, who knows nothing about Crosby and has probably never watched him play!
8-11-2009 @ 4:05PM
Frank Saracino said...
NO FLUERY in the Top 50 ??? NO WAY ! ... Most likely Malkin and Ovechkin are the final Two...
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8-12-2009 @ 3:22AM
Cleetus Awreetus said...
Yeah, that was a wee bit cheap to leave the Flower out. He stood on his head to cover for a very offense oriented team, but hey, if you like ANY 'Burgh team over the years, you grow used to being slighted in these lists. But you do get your revenge as you watch the victory parades after the teams win it all again and again and again and again........
8-11-2009 @ 4:30PM
James said...
Adam, I have to disagree with you on this one. I like your other choices and see no real flaws, but when you release Crosby's name as 3rd I almost fell off my stoll. Common Adam, he play's decent but not in the the top 10 even by your standards (which now I am wondering about). You and I both know it's not about the regular season, it comes down to the playoffs and when the stakes are at there highest (Stanley Cup Finals) this is where the gratest players separt themselves from the pack. I'm sorry Adam but Crosby didn't even come close. He wasn't a threat, he didn't even come to play. If what your saying is true than Zetterburg belongs number two becuse he certainly outpalyed Crosby 10 fold. Please rethink this and put him where he belongs back in the fortys ... OK maybe thirty's.
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8-11-2009 @ 4:38PM
Rob J said...
Silly Adam. Pen's too much in head
Pavel's better but you only see Red
when Wings are mentioned
You mark down the bum
And made a fool of yourself when it comes to Lidstrom.
Now you are Pen friendly
That we can see
As Z washed his face and is 8 while Sid's 3
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8-11-2009 @ 5:43PM
billh23 said...
I can tell alot of people have personal bias or dont watch much hockey in here. Crosby is a much more complete player then ovechkin. Ovechkin wont make it to the finals till he learns to be a team player. And to the people still talking about justin applicator lets see what he does in a season two goals doesnt mean crap finals or not. I love Malkin but he has a lot of growing to do yet he doesnt show up for every game believe me i watched all of their games. Just because a star player doesnt score in a series doesnt mean he didnt contribute in assists or defense. And to James I think you need to review crosbys goals and assists in the playoffs has more then Zetterberg against better teams i might also add. 15 g 16 a +31 points And lets throw in his regular season points totals. Well I think I proved my point everyone that hates the guy would cream their pants if their team got him.lol
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8-11-2009 @ 8:41PM
darci said...
well said Bill. The difference between Ovechkin and Crosby is: When Ovechkin has the puck he will shoot it even if he has no chance to score. Crosby on the other hand is smart enough to know when he is being double teamed, (as he was much of the cup finals), to pass to someone who is open. Thats what makes him #1 in my opinion. Thank God there are those of us who actually watch Crosby and can see how talented he is! And those of us not forming an opinion of him based only on what he did his first year (cried a little too much), and what we read others say about him!
8-11-2009 @ 5:46PM
wackenpuss said...
At 21 Crosby was the corner stone of the Penguins Cup run. Malkin is a great compliment to Crosby but not better . Datsyuk is ten years older ! Ovechkin might be slightly better right now but he wont be in a few years as Crosby matures. Crosby has more natural talent then any player in hockey.
Its shame the wings were once again allowed to play their clutch, grab and slash style of defense against Crosby as they desperately tried to hold off the Pens. In the end Detroit showed why their only a good team and not a great team. The Pens drafted Sidney Crosby in the hopes that he would lead their team to a cup. He delivered !
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8-11-2009 @ 5:59PM
cjgdnight said...
Wacken,
I agree with the clutch and grab defense remark... many times two at a time... that freed up Malkin who is a good player but without Sid taking the best two defenders with him, Malkin would not be nearly as good.
8-12-2009 @ 4:36AM
Cory said...
Please the Wings played no more clutch and grab then the Pens did. Both teams played the game the way the refs were calling it. When refs call games tighter teams play tighter, when refs are letting things go teams take advantage of that. That's the way sports are. You know what the truly sad thing was? Having to watch a team as offensively gifted as the Pens trap their way to the Cup in the last 2 games of the series because they knew they couldn't beat the Wings on talent alone.
8-11-2009 @ 5:51PM
billh23 said...
Well said forgot to mention he just won his first cup at the ripe old age of 21. I think this year he will have a big year.
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8-11-2009 @ 7:10PM
James said...
BillH come now ... but not in your pants. Are you saying he out played Zetterberg in the finals? I don't care what they did prior to that because you could argue the quarts and semis all night. The questions is, are you saying he out played Zetterberg? If you are than I know you are just another fan from Pen and we will leav eit at that. Zetterberg SHUT HIM DOWN ... period! In game seven he didn't play at all. Look great player find a way to win, they don't rely on the rest of the team to carry them. Do you think the Great One would have left his team on the ice in game seven? How about Ore or Howe what about Messier? Not a chance. He is a good player not great ...
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