While the NFL is in the playoffs and the NBA is in full swing, we forget to give love to the ice. Not Figure Skating, but the NHL. It has become the forgotten sport since it had a year-long lockout just a few years ago, cancelling the Stanley for the first time since the flu epidemic of 1919. While this cancellation was about the American (and Canadian) dollar, many fans lost interest, some overnight. But it is still an amazing sport to watch, with several young stars blossoming. You know the big names. Crosby, Ovechkin, Pronger, Brodeur, Jagr. But do you know of the load of young stars carrying the Red Wings this season. Or the kids in Chicago trying to uplift the Blackhawks from the doldrums of the league. Here are a few of the great players you probably haven't heard of.
7. Jonathan Toews & 6. Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks: Toews and Kane are both 19 years old and are part of the future of the league. Kane is a smaller 5'10", but has blazing speed. Toews is of the larger variety, 6'2" and over 200 lbs. Together, they give the Hawks some hope that they can make it back to the playoffs for the first time since '02. Good luck boys.
5. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins: He plays in the shadow of the great Sidney Crosby, but this dude has game. He's fast and is a nightmare to get away from the puck at 6'3" and almost 200 lbs. Malkin and Crosby give the Pens a 1-2 punch going into the playoffs, and they can make a run this year. Look out for Malkin for the next 15 years in the league.
4. Marian Gaborik, Minnesota Wild: When you look up fast in the dictionary it reads; moving or able to move, operate, function, or take effect quickly. It should have a picture of Gaborik, as the old addage goes. But seriously, this guy IS speed. He's so quick he keeps pulling groin muscles and missing time because the rest of his body can't keep up with his legs. He alsojust recently scored 5 goals in one game, the first player to do that in 11 years. Nice.
3. Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers: If you want a mix of speed and braun, this might be your guy. Richards is in the top 20 in scoring, but also likes to throw down, as is seen in his three fighting majors this year. Not bad for a guy at 5'11", 195. He is the new leader of the Flyers, having just signed a 12-year deal. The kid is shades of Bobby Clarke and the Broad Street Bullies, although they used to fight a bit more. But hey its a new game.
2. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings: Hockeytown is not selling out games like it used to, but it has nothing to do with this guy (or his teammates). Pavel Datsyuk is one of the brightest stars in the gam. He is 8th in the NHL in scoring and is a plus-26, meaning they score when he is out there, and the other team does not. The Red Wings will continue to be a powerhouse for years to come with a slew of talent like this on the roster, which leads to #1...
1. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings: Now, I'm sure i've left out a few greta players, but this is my list. Two Wings are at the top because, wwell, their team is at the top. Zetteberg is in the top 5 in scoring, and you might not know who he is if you dont follow the NHL. He's only one point behind Sid the Kid. Now that's impressive. He's another of the young do-it-all, speedster types. Plus, his ESPN bio pic makes him look like Colin Farrell. Badass.
Have a good weekend, i'll be around with more sports.
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