Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Your Pick: Crosby, Ovechkin, or.....Stamkos??
This is the first time this question might have a different option, usually the fight is over who likes Crosby or Ovie better. I will take pride in playing devil's advocate here because this year's Point Leader in the NHL is neither Crosby or Ovechkin. This year's leading goal scorer isn't either of the two phenoms who everyone either loves or hates. At this point in the season, as has been the case since the start of the season the player who is at the top of the Points and Goals board is Steven Stamkos. Stamkos is a 3rd year player for the Tampa Bay Lightning, at only 20 years old he is quickly becoming one of the NHL's best players. Stamkos leads the NHL in points with 35, he is the league's leading goal scorer with 20. I'm not sure how many people have heard of this young man prior to this year, but is definitely on his way to being a house hold name. In his rookie year Stamkos had 23 goals and 23 assists, in 79 games he tallied 46 points. He improved in all areas by his sophomore campaign as his goal tally grew to 51, he also had 44 assists and finished the season with 95 points. In the 21 games played this year Stamkos has 20 goals and 15 assists, that has translated to 35 points. This is already his total after JUST 21 games, imagine what he's going to finish the year with!! Just for the record I am an Ovechkin fan, yet I believe this kid's play demands for his name to be thrown into the conversation. I don't like him better than Ovie or Crosby yet, but I definitely think he's more than on his way. Is Stamkos as good as his numbers or is he just getting lucky?? Does Stamkos deserve to be mentioned in the company of Crosby or Ovechkin, or is it premature to suggest it??
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He's the real deal, a true goal scorer, and it looks like he will be an all-str for years to come. OK that said I gotta be a homer and say Pavel Datsyuk is better than them all. This opinion is coming from someone who has played hockey his whole life and watches all the time. Datsyuk almost NEVER makes the wrong play. As a player myself he is a delight to watch play and see the way he creates and makes players around him better. He and Zetterberg are the best 1-2 in the NHL, when they are on the ice together they look like when the two good kids get on the same pond hockey team together, they absolutly toy with their opponents. Datsyuk is argueably the best passer (maybe Joe Thorton), has the best hands, a great shot, and the best defensive forward in the L. That cannot be overstated enough, look past the offensive numbers because playing D is just as important as putting the puck in the net. Datsyuk may not retire with HOF numbers but I really think he is the BEST player I have ever watched, seriously, he's up there with Gretzky, Lemeiux, Yzerman, Messier. You may say I'm crazy but I just have never seen a smarter hockey player with his skill set. In the long run I'd take Ovie, Crosby or Stamkos, but as a wing fan right now, I'm happy to have datsyuk and wouldn't trade him for anyone.
ReplyDelete-P. Neeley