Here we go again, Ovechkin #1, Crosby #2

  By YVON PEDNEAULT, SUN MEDIA, Oct. 6, 2008, "50 Top NHL Players":

Alexander Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby? Who is No. 1 out of the NHL's 700 or so players?

Crosby missed 29 games last year while Ovechkin was terrorizing the opposing goalies. The Russian managed to get the Washington Capitals all the way to the playoffs.

That's no slight to Crosby. His team lost in the Stanley Cup finals and since he got his start in the National League, he's had an impact matched by very few players in the history of hockey.

But the same thing can be said for Ovechkin.

There are a lot of similarities between the two players in terms of what they've accomplished, the influence they've had over their respective teams and the role they play in the league.

Their techniques on-ice are two very different things.

Spectacular and explosive, Ovechkin is fantastic goal scorer. Crosby is another Peter Forsberg. He excels in every aspect of the game. He's a superb player all-around, or just about.

Ovechkin makes the top of our list because he had an incredible season last year. He managed some truly exceptional goals, the kind of goals that made the difference in some especially close wins for his team.

1. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
An exceptional talent, a born scorer, a player who brings intensity to every game.

2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
He's maintained an average of 1.56 goals per game since his start in the NHL.

3. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit
He can do anything on ice.

4. Vincent Lecavalier,Tampa Bay
A player with a lot of resources at his disposal. A franchise player.

5. Jarome Iginla, Calgary
Teams in the East unfortunately don't get the chance to see him at work enough. A great leader.

6. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh
A year ago, people were admitting he had some talent. Now it's confirmed.

7. Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
Unique in defence, in a class of his own. A magician on the blue line.

8. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
Good scorer, focused and very fast.

9. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver
To stay on top, he'll have to be the goaltender he was two years ago.

10. Dany Heatley, Ottawa
He has remained one of the league's most feared scorers on a team quickly losing steam.

11. Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta
A crazy amount of talent, but has a difficult nature and plays on a mediocre team.

12. Marian Gaborik, Minnesota
The fastest skater in the league. He'll have to show some leadership. His potential is out of this world.

13. Marian Hossa, Detroit
He proved his worth with a good team such as the Penguins. He's going to rock Detroit.

14. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa
You can never get tired of this guy's determination and leadership.

15. Brenden Morrow, Dallas
Sought after by all the coaches in the league. A pit-bull.

16. Chris Pronger, Anaheim
Even while losing speed he's still feared by his opponents.

17. Evgeny Nabokov,San Jose
No goaltender has matched this Russian's performance.

18. Dion Phaneuf, Calgary
The prototype of the defenceman in the 2000s. Powerful, intimidating, determined.

19. Eric Staal, Carolina
Just finished an ordinary season with an ordinary team. He'll have to show leadership.

20. Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim
He doesn't dominate like he used to, but he's still just as reliable.

more...

I like this one:
6. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh
A year ago, people were admitting he had some talent. Now it's confirmed.

Semin, do you hear me?

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