Who's the best at their position, according to you.

[Claude Balls]

I went with the easy choice for forward. Alexander Ovechkin IMO is by far the most dominant offensive player in the league. The guy not only scores goals, but he won't shy away from the hitting either. Last night was a great example of how good he can be. He was throwing his body around and he made Philly look like a peewee team on the game winning goal, he stole that puck and was like thank you, check please. He plays like he learned the game up in Yellowknife and not Russia.

 

On defense I'll take Dion Phaneuf. Just read his stat line and it's all I need to see. Over 25 mins TOI, 60 pts, a +12 and 182 PIM. I'll take that kind of defenseman all day long.

 

Goaltender is a little tougher. Whereas a few years ago there were only a half dozen or so really good goalies you could build around. Now there are a plethera of them coming out of the woodwork. As of right now I would go with Brodeur just because he has been able to do it year after year. Of the young guys out there, I like Huet. The jury is still out on Carey Price but he might be the next great one. Who does montreal goaltender scouting? There are 3 goalies in the playoffs right now that have come through their system, Theodore, Huet and Price. Someone is doing their homework.

[carpandean]

I agreed with you across the board: Ovechkin, Phaneuf and flip a coin (or two) to decide between the best goaltenders.

[stenbaro]

I think Ovechkin is the best player in the Nhl so that was easy for me..I still like Pronger and I think Lundquist is the best and gonna get better right now..The best goaltender the past 10 yrs no question its Brodeur but I went with Lundquist for right now..

[tom webster]

I went with the easy choice for forward. Alexander Ovechkin IMO is by far the most dominant offensive player in the league. The guy not only scores goals, but he won't shy away from the hitting either. Last night was a great example of how good he can be. He was throwing his body around and he made Philly look like a peewee team on the game winning goal, he stole that puck and was like thank you, check please. He plays like he learned the game up in Yellowknife and not Russia.

 

On defense I'll take Dion Phaneuf. Just read his stat line and it's all I need to see. Over 25 mins TOI, 60 pts, a +12 and 182 PIM. I'll take that kind of defenseman all day long.

 

Goaltender is a little tougher. Whereas a few years ago there were only a half dozen or so really good goalies you could build around. Now there are a plethera of them coming out of the woodwork. As of right now I would go with Brodeur just because he has been able to do it year after year. Of the young guys out there, I like Huet. The jury is still out on Carey Price but he might be the next great one. Who does montreal goaltender scouting? There are 3 goalies in the playoffs right now that have come through their system, Theodore, Huet and Price. Someone is doing their homework.

 

For the record, Huet is 32 (will be 33 in September) and played a couple seasons with LA before being traded to Montreal.

FWIW, Buffalo has three ex-netminders in the playoffs.

[Claude Balls]

For the record, Huet is 32 (will be 33 in September) and played a couple seasons with LA before being traded to Montreal.

FWIW, Buffalo has three ex-netminders in the playoffs.

Jesus, I never realized Huet was that old. Shows how much we hear about the Kings here in the East. So Montreal only has to goalies that came through their system. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Who other than Biron has come through Buffalo's system that is in the playoffs this year. Hasek came through Chicago and other than him I'm stumped.

[Knightrider]

Jesus, I never realized Huet was that old. Shows how much we hear about the Kings here in the East. So Montreal only has to goalies that came through their system. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Who other than Biron has come through Buffalo's system that is in the playoffs this year. Hasek came through Chicago and other than him I'm stumped.

 

Conklin...

[tom webster]

Conklin...

 

 

Thanks, you really want to see something impressive, check the goalies that came through Anaheim and San Jose, not necessarily started there, but played in their system.

[GoatheadInCT]

With forward, it is Ovechkin RIGHT NOW- he has been lucky enough to be healthy and to come up

big WHEN IT MATTERS. I really think he is the best forward in the league until Sidney Crosby proves

otherwise.

 

Defenseman is pretty competitive, but Dion Phaneuf is a total defenseman- from what I have seen his

offensive mentality combined with his shut down capability in his own zone qualifies him to be the

very best. Hard-nosed and a good fighter as well!!

 

I am bucking the trend here- I really like Mika Kiprusoff and what he does in the crease. He plays for

a team in Calgary that needs more to make them dominant, yet Kiprusoff comes up big like Dominik

used to do. If he was traded to Pittsburgh, he'd win the Vezina easily.

[rickshaw]

The best player in the NHL is Jerome Iginla as far as doing everything, except tend goal.

[Chief Enabler]

The best player in the NHL is Jerome Iginla as far as doing everything, except tend goal.

did you know he was adopted? can you imagine?

[Claude Balls]

Conklin...

I was thinking more along the lines of goalies that came through the system and are now starting in the playoffs. I didn't forget the Conks.

[tom webster]

I was thinking more along the lines of goalies that came through the system and are now starting in the playoffs. I didn't forget the Conks.

 

I was just adding him and Hasek because you added Huet. I think we are all on the same page now.

[outlaw16511]

Wow this is a great poll with really tough choices to make.

 

Forwards, I picked Ovechkin. I think he's the best right now but Malkin is quickly becoming just as good. I think Ovechkin is the most complete forward in the league right now.

 

Defense, I picked Lidstrom, he's still awesome and I think he's just a bit better defensively than Phaneuf but Phaneuf is also much younger and he has a great chance to become better.

 

Goalies, I picked Brodeur. I still think he's the best goaltender in the game. He can handle playing 70 games or more still and still can bring it in the playoffs.

[Bmwolf21]

Forwards -

 

I am a huge Ovechkin fan - love his passion, his energy, and most importantly, his combo of physical and finesse play. But best all-around - offense and defensive, PP & PK - I went with Iginla, followed by Crosby. Based on pure offensive skills it's a little harder to pick one you don't like on that list - Nash, Gaborik, Malkin, Vinny - all are exciting players in their own right.

 

Defense is a little tougher - best all-around I went with Lidstrom, since he's been doing it at such a high level for so long. I am so impressed with Phaneuf, and as much as everyone hates his dirty play, Pronger is damn good offensively and defensively, as is the freak, Chara.

 

Goalie is another tough call - I went with Nabokov, because he's done it damn well over 70+ games this year and plays in a system that is a little less defensive than the Devils' trap/lock/six-men-back system. Luongo is a close second, and Brodeur and Kirpusoff deserve to be in the conversation as well.

[Team Strike Force]

I'll bet Price in Montreal will be a top goalie in the next two years.

[Bmwolf21]

I'll bet Price in Montreal will be a top goalie in the next two years.

Maybe, maybe not. I want to see what he does over an entire season of 60+ games before I anoint him anything. People said the same thing about Cam Ward after the Canes' playoff run and he hasn't impressed anyone.

[stenbaro]

The best player in the NHL is Jerome Iginla as far as doing everything, except tend goal.

And to think he could have been a Sabre for a few years..Shoulda taken the deal Darcy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chief Enabler]

Maybe, maybe not. I want to see what he does over an entire season of 60+ games before I anoint him anything. People said the same thing about Cam Ward after the Canes' playoff run and he hasn't impressed anyone.

We've been over this already in regards to Miller comparisons, havent we? :D

[Chief Enabler]

And to think he could have been a Sabre for a few years..Shoulda taken the deal Darcy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

refresh my memory? :ph34r: Iginla?

[Bmwolf21]

We've been over this already in regards to Miller comparisons, havent we? :D

Probably. ;)

 

refresh my memory? :ph34r: Iginla?

I was wondering the same thing - I remember some talk about the possibility of Iginla, but don't remember the specifics.

 

Anyone?

[stenbaro]

refresh my memory? :ph34r: Iginla?

CAlgary offered Iginla for Peca during his holdout ..Darcy traded him to the Islanders instead..

[Chief Enabler]

CAlgary offered Iginla for Peca during his holdout ..Darcy traded him to the Islanders instead..

Thats one for the books, wish there was a link for that one. thanks.........this isnt an Eklund is it?

[stenbaro]

Thats one for the books, wish there was a link for that one. thanks.........this isnt an Eklund is it?

No Eklund....Too long ago for a link but it was there....

[jimiVbaby]

No Eklund....Too long ago for a link but it was there....

I remember the same reports. This was before Iginla hit his stride, and almost fell out of favor in Calgary for his inconsistent play. As for everything being true, it's tough to say but the deal I remember was Peca for Iggy straight up.

[outlaw16511]

I'll bet Price in Montreal will be a top goalie in the next two years.

 

 

He looks like he has the talent to be a top goalie and he's won at every level he's played at. However he hasn't been a starter for very long and sometimes rookie goalies have a hole in their game that isn't found until a season later. If he handles the load well and plays solid next year, then I'll be convinced he's the real deal. I tend to think he's the real deal now, but I want to see a bigger body of work. When MTL first traded Huet away at the deadline I thought they were freakin nuts for doing so.