jmatchett
Banned User
Who is the best player in the league who is most proficient at all aspects of the game. Who can score, pass, hit, kill penalties, play on the PP, backcheck, block shots, etc. with the best all-around ability in the NHL currently? Years ago it was Forsberg, hands down; I doubt we'll ever see another player of his mold. But right now, for me, it's down to 5 choices:
Pavel Datsyuk (my top pick)
Sidney Crosby (yes, I AM a Flyers fan)
Mike Richards (yes, I AM a Flyers fan)
Duncan Keith
Ryan Kessler
I feel absolutely ashamed for not mentioning the gargantuan infinite glory that is known as Dustin Brown, so let's say for the sake of this argument he does not exist (on this plane of existence). Pavel Datsyuk has about 90 Selke Trophies, hits more than he's given credit for, can score in any situations, has some of the best hands in the game, is fast as all heck, plays in all situations, and can do it in the post-season. Sidney Crosby has come a long way since his teammate called him a crybaby. I will continue to boo him, but I can't doubt the way he's improved every aspect of his game. Mike Richards is the new Bobby Clarke; the man will go through several walls to win. Maybe the best shorthanded threat in the game, hits like a train, gives it everything he has every night (except the first 5 games of this season). Duncan Keith is hard, because unless you're on the Capitals, you kind of expect your defenseman to be in position to start with. But once again, he can do everything, and does it better than any defenseman I can think of (Drew Doughty is close). Ryan Kessler may be one of the 5 most underrated players in the NHL, even given as much credit as he is. He doesn't necessarily do anything better than anyone in the league, but he's definitely a complete player who can hang in with the best of them.
Now, I said in the opening that there will never be another Peter Forsberg. Even in his decline in Philadelphia, he still did things that I thought were impossible to do with the puck. So yes, there will never, EVER be another one of him. However, if things keep goign the way they are, Claude Giroux may be as close as there will be. He has the best hands I've ever seen in a Flyers sweater. He makes passes right on the tape that don't seem possible to make. He hits surprisingly well as is impressively strong on the puck and along the walls. I can't put him on the level of the other players because this is only his 3rd season, but he could be the best one day. But back to the topic, who's your pick?
Pavel Datsyuk (my top pick)
Sidney Crosby (yes, I AM a Flyers fan)
Mike Richards (yes, I AM a Flyers fan)
Duncan Keith
Ryan Kessler
I feel absolutely ashamed for not mentioning the gargantuan infinite glory that is known as Dustin Brown, so let's say for the sake of this argument he does not exist (on this plane of existence). Pavel Datsyuk has about 90 Selke Trophies, hits more than he's given credit for, can score in any situations, has some of the best hands in the game, is fast as all heck, plays in all situations, and can do it in the post-season. Sidney Crosby has come a long way since his teammate called him a crybaby. I will continue to boo him, but I can't doubt the way he's improved every aspect of his game. Mike Richards is the new Bobby Clarke; the man will go through several walls to win. Maybe the best shorthanded threat in the game, hits like a train, gives it everything he has every night (except the first 5 games of this season). Duncan Keith is hard, because unless you're on the Capitals, you kind of expect your defenseman to be in position to start with. But once again, he can do everything, and does it better than any defenseman I can think of (Drew Doughty is close). Ryan Kessler may be one of the 5 most underrated players in the NHL, even given as much credit as he is. He doesn't necessarily do anything better than anyone in the league, but he's definitely a complete player who can hang in with the best of them.
Now, I said in the opening that there will never be another Peter Forsberg. Even in his decline in Philadelphia, he still did things that I thought were impossible to do with the puck. So yes, there will never, EVER be another one of him. However, if things keep goign the way they are, Claude Giroux may be as close as there will be. He has the best hands I've ever seen in a Flyers sweater. He makes passes right on the tape that don't seem possible to make. He hits surprisingly well as is impressively strong on the puck and along the walls. I can't put him on the level of the other players because this is only his 3rd season, but he could be the best one day. But back to the topic, who's your pick?
