After a delay due to some technical issues, we’re back with part three of series on the Top 100 Players in the NHL. If you haven’t been following , or want a quick recap, you can check out the previous two editions here and here (hint: click “here”).
This week it’s numbers 80-71, so let’s get straight to it.
#80 – Milan Hejduk – Colorado Avalance
Right Wing
Born – Usti-nad Labem, Czech Rep.
Height 6.00 — Weight 190 — Shoots L
Hejduk is one of the most loyal players in the league, spending each of his 13 seasons with the Avalanche organization. He’s been with Colorado through the good times and the bad which has made him the face of that organization. And although he is in the twilight of his career, Hejduk has still been productive for the Avs, averaging over 45 points per season over the last four seasons.
#79 – Tyler Myers – Buffalo Sabres
Defense
Born – Houston, TX
Height 6.08 — Weight 222 — Shoots R
The first Sabre on the list, Tyler Myers flew onto the scene in the 2009/2010 season. He won the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year, and helped lead Buffalo to the Northeast Division crown. Since then however, Myers has struggled. He has yet to find the same success that he had in his first campaign with former partner Henrik Tallinder.
#78 – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Edmonton Oilers
Center
Born – Burnaby, BC
Height 6.01 — Weight 175 — Shoots L
Chris: Part of Edmonton’s rebuilding effort, Nugent-Hopkins enjoyed a nice rookie year and should benefit greatly from skating alongside Nail Yakupov. Expect his talents to continue to blossom.
#77 – Joffrey Lupul – Toronto Maple Leafs
Center
Born – Fort Saskatchewan, ALTA
Height 6.01 — Weight 200
Lupul has been a hot-and-cold player throughout his career. In the first five years of his career, Lupul put up very solid numbers, but he fell on hard times during his second tour of duty with the Anaheim Ducks, putting up just 27 points in two seasons. After being traded to Toronto Lupul seems to have found his groove again, and has become on of the Leafs’ top scorers. Hopefully, for Leafs fans, he continues to produce and isn’t a flash in the pan.
#76 – Shane Doan – Phoenix Coyotes?
Center
Born – Halkirk, ALTA
Height 6.01 — Weight 228 — Shoots R
Captain Coyote is another case of a player being loyal to the organization that drafted him. Through relocation from Winnipeg in 1996, and ownership woes for years in Phoenix, Doan has been the consummate professional in Phoenix. However, is patience seems to be wearing thin, and Doan could find himself donning a new sweater to close out his career, but that doesn’t mean he won’t give Phoenix a chance to keep him.
#75 – Loui Eriksson – Dallas Stars
Left Wing
Born – Gothenburg, Sweden
Height 6.03 — Weight 193 — Shoots L
Eriksson is a player that no one really knows, or talks about due to the fact of him playing in Dallas. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a great player though. Eriksson has put up 70+ points for the Stars in the last three seasons, and will continue to be an offensive force for Dallas. He’s even durable, missing just three games over the last four seasons. The Stars certainly have a future “Star” in making in Dallas.
#74 – P.K. Subban – Montreal Canadians
Defense
Born – Toronto, ONT
Height 6.00 — Weight 206 — Shoots R
Subban came on the scene during the 2010 playoffs when he scored eight points in 14 games as an inexperienced rookie. Then, in his official rookie season in 2010/2011, Subban proved that his playoff play was no fluke by putting up 38 points in 77 games. He is quickly becoming the Canadians number one defenseman, but still has some consistency issues to work out to become that guy.
#73 – Jason Pominville – Buffalo Sabres
Right Wing
Born – Repentigny, PQ
Height 6.00 — Weight 178 — Shoots R
Pominville is an underrated player. He has been one of the team’s faces and top scorers since coming into the league in 2005. Having missed just nine games in the past six seasons, Pominville is Buffalo’s iron man. Although there are plenty of fans that may not like Pominville, there is no denying what he has meant to the Sabres.
#72 – Dion Phaneuf – Toronto Maple Leafs
Defense
Born – Edmonton, ALTA
Height 6.03 — Weight 215
The Maple Leafs captain burned every bridge he had in Calgary before he was dealt in Toronto, but he has been a blessing for the Leafs. It got off to a rocky start in Toronto, but Phanuef has seemingly returned to form for the Leafs after playing in his first full season since the trade.
#71 – Martin St. Louis – Tampa Bay Lightning
Right Wing
Born – Laval, PQ
Height 5.08 — Weight 176 — Shoots L
St. Louis is the man that gave players under 5’11″ hope in the NHL. After being given up on by the Calgary Flames due to his size, St. Louis went to Tampa Bay and has flourished. By far the best “little man” in NHL history, St. Louis has brought a Stanley Cup to Tampa, and has been one of their best players for years. He has been a mentor to Steven Stamkos, and has even formed a great on-ice chemistry with the young sniper. It’s as if St. Louis has a new-found life in Tampa.
That wraps up part three of the Top 100 NHL Players 0f 2012. What do you think about the list now that thirty players have been revealed? Who are you most looking forward to seeing in future installments? Let us know!
