ESPN’s Top 25 NHLers of the 21st Century

[TheUnusedCrayon]

I think the biggest flop of this list is having Datsyuk much lower than Chara.

Agreed. Chara is one of the most overrated defensemen of this era. Had a good prime, but was pretty mediocre in a lot of areas. Had he been of normal height, he wouldn't have been talked about nearly as much. He still got beat a lot of times on rushes, caught puck watching, etc. His puck moving skills were never great. Was he good? Yes. Was he phenomenal? No. He was fortunate to play in front of some amazing goaltenders for most of his career.

 

[K1900L]

This is stupid.
Having MacKinnon, Draisaitl, Kucherov and Matthews in this list is utterly pointless considering that they among themselves switch positions quite literally every few months depending on who has had the better season or who has done something great. It has been like this for 6 years now. They should have limited the list to players who are already out of their prime or who have retired.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Sid should be first.

Regarding the whole Karlsson/Hedman debate, I take Hedman. He shutdown the whole side of the ice and was dynamic at the point. When he loaded up for a wrister you just knew it would see twine.

Karlsson was dynamic his own whirling dervish right, but he couldn’t shutdown the way Hedman did. I always saw Hedman as a bigger Lidstrom. So calm, savvy, and controlled the ice.

 

[jonlin]

Funny stuff. People argue here that Hedman >> Karlsson because 2-way play and 2 cups.

This also means Barkov >>> Matthews, with 2 Selke`s and Cup. Better stats than Kopitar too, who`s on the list.

 

[Cape]

Damn, even as an Avs fan Mack>Malkin is insane. Might catch some heat, but Bergeron at 10 is pretty wild as well.

Mack above Malkin. Do they actually get paid for doing these…

 

[Sentinel]

It is easier to quantify, but it is also true. A great offensive player can create opportunities for his teammates and make them more effective. Lidstrom paired with Ristolainen is still going to give up plenty of goals against, because defense is more of a team effort.

The easiest argument to refute. Niklas Lidstrom played with Anders Lilja and Ian White and made them both look like NHL defensemen.

 

[Telos]

The rankings could be argued ad nauseum, but the names on the list aren't horrible and pretty close the all the names you'd expect.

 

[Sheppy]

Agreed. Chara is one of the most overrated defensemen of this era. Had a good prime, but was pretty mediocre in a lot of areas. Had he been of normal height, he wouldn't have been talked about nearly as much. He still got beat a lot of times on rushes, caught puck watching, etc. His puck moving skills were never great. Was he good? Yes. Was he phenomenal? No. He was fortunate to play in front of some amazing goaltenders for most of his career.

If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

What a weird take on Zdeno Chara. Guy was among the best players in the world for a decade.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Funny stuff. People argue here that Hedman >> Karlsson because 2-way play and 2 cups.

This also means Barkov >>> Matthews, with 2 Selke`s and Cup. Better stats than Kopitar too, who`s on the list.

Correct

 

[Regal]

Funny stuff. People argue here that Hedman >> Karlsson because 2-way play and 2 cups.

This also means Barkov >>> Matthews, with 2 Selke`s and Cup. Better stats than Kopitar too, who`s on the list.

Defense is more important from defensemen than it is for forwards.

Agreed. Chara is one of the most overrated defensemen of this era. Had a good prime, but was pretty mediocre in a lot of areas. Had he been of normal height, he wouldn't have been talked about nearly as much. He still got beat a lot of times on rushes, caught puck watching, etc. His puck moving skills were never great. Was he good? Yes. Was he phenomenal? No. He was fortunate to play in front of some amazing goaltenders for most of his career.

His reach meant he could get beat initially and still make a play though. I think his impact was pretty huge statistically even if he wasn’t always the prettiest. Though he was probably best suited for more defensive eras

 

[Neutrinos]

Luongo is 7th all-time in GSAA with 270

Brodeur is 10th all-time with 207

Fleury sits 50th all-time with 67, while Quick is 94th all-time with 14

 

[The Macho King]

Man the media really doesn't like Kucherov.

 

[SirloinUB]

Stop with this. Half his career was in the 90s. If people continue with this nonsense, ESPN will probably put Mia Hamm at #5 just to make a point.

Every single one of Lidstrom's record tying 7 Norris Trophies was in the 21st century.

 

[meefer]

Every single one of Lidstrom's record tying 7 Norris Trophies was in the 21st century.

Lidstrom was a great player. But, he didn't tie the record, which stands at 8 Norris'. Mr. Bobby Orr, take a bow.
Sorry, not trying to be a dick, but Bobby was, and is, my fav player of all time.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

How does Pat Maroon not make the top 25?
3 Stanley cups, just about got his 4th.

 

[SirloinUB]

Lidstrom was a great player. But, he didn't tie the record, which stands at 8 Norris'. Mr. Bobby Orr, take a bow.
Sorry, not trying to be a dick, but Bobby was, and is, my fav player of all time.

egregious oversight on my part.

I think my point stands and I'll change my post to read "21st century record of 7 Norris Trophies"

 

[Hockey Outsider]

egregious oversight on my part.

I think my point stands and I'll change my post to read "21st century record of 7 Norris Trophies"

You could also change the post to say something like "tied for most Norris trophies won by a mortal man". Bobby Orr (like Howe, Gretzky, Lemieux - and perhaps one day McDavid) are in a separate category.

 

[wetcoast]

You could also change the post to say something like "tied for most Norris trophies won by a mortal man". Bobby Orr (like Howe, Gretzky, Lemieux - and perhaps one day McDavid) are in a separate category.

Was Lidstrom a mere mortal man though.

Scotty said he was perfect.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

Was Lidstrom a mere mortal man though.

Scotty said he was perfect.

I think if any defenseman deserves to be called "perfect", it's Bobby Orr. But I could settle on "flawless" for Lidstrom.

 

[v00d00daddy]

Kucherov is laughably low on this list. The amount of disrespect this guy gets from the national media is criminal. How do you justify putting him 17th? He has two Art Ross Trophies in an era where he’s battling it out with MacKinnon and McDavid, among others, every season.

I get it based on points but it’s more than points when it’s a subjective rating.

When I see that he’s a winger and then remember how he plays (intangibles) it’s easier to see him overlooked.

17 might be a bit low but he’s nowhere close to top 10 folk.

 

[I am not exposed]

Mackinnon being that high is glaring to me but decent list overall imo


edit: cups do the heavy lifting I'm sure, but feel like Price is more deserving than Quick if we're putting another goalie there

Both are more deserving that MAF.

 

[PB37]

Insane to have Bergeron at 10

- Among centers who have played in the in the 21st century, Bergeron places 9th in goals and 11th in points among centers ( 17 / 16 among all players )

- Had the best +/- among centers in the 21st century ( third overall )

- 7th best faceoff percentage among centers of the 21st century

- 12 straight years in a row nominated for the Selke

I can't see an argument where he wasn't a top 15 player in the 21st century right now because he's had his whole career in it to make an impact. Drai will most likely surpass him as he gets more years, Matthews has a chance as well.

 

[topseed]

Kucherov disrespect is pretty wild. Drai & Matthews over Kucherov is especially egregious. SMH

 

[Wings4Life]

As expected, Hfboards has put together a far more credible list than ESPN so far (voting still in progress). The Hfboards top 8 is much more accurate than the ESPN one:

1. Crosby
2. Ovechkin
3. McDavid
4. Lidstrom
5. Malkin
6. Brodeur
7. Kucherov
8. Kane

Who is the 9th best player so far in the 21st Century?

Who has been and is the best player for the 21st century so far? So we are ranking players as though they only existed in the NHL from the 2000-2001 season until today and everything is included peak, prime, playoffs, 2 way play ect.... Kane won round 8 so here is round 8 and this is the...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[BraveCanadian]

Uh what was the criteria for this list because it is.. uh.. interesting