My Top 14 Players In NHL By Position: Where Does Max Pacioretty Rank Among Left Wingers?
NHL.com has been running a top 14 by position feature for the past few days, and has been butchering it for the most part. Clinging to aging players like Martin St. Louis, Rick Nash and the Sedin twins like it is 2010 has been their biggest problem, but also picking Ryan O’Reilly and Nash to be one of the best at a position they don’t play was quite hilarious.
Then, two of the four experts ranked Patrice Bergeron ahead of Steven Stamkos on their ballot, so I decided I would just go ahead and do my own ranking of the top 14 players at each position for the upcoming season, and not three years ago.
Oh, and I decided it worked best if I ranked players at their actual positions.
Anyway, here are the top 14 left wingers in the NHL heading into this season in my opinion.
Apr 27, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) skates pat Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
1. Jamie Benn
81 games played 34 goals 45 assists 79 points
Benn moved back to left wing last season when Tyler Seguin was acquired and filled the void at center for the Dallas Stars. Benn didn’t disappoint at all, scoring career highs in goals (34) and points (79).
At the age of 25, having won an Olympic gold and with linemate Seguin settled in as a center, Benn could be even better next season. He plays a strong two way game to go along with his high point totals, which makes him the best left winger in the game.
2. Taylor Hall
75 games played 27 goals 53 assists 80 points
Of all the high draft picks the Edmonton Oilers have made in the past several seasons, Hall has been the only one to actually meet the off the charts expectations. A physical winger who is a tremendous skater, Hall led all left wingers with 80 points last season, while playing 75 games.
May 6, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) celebrates his goal during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game three of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
3. Zach Parise
67 games played 29 goals 27 assists 56 points
Parise is an excellent two way winger and should easily top 30 goals for the sixth time in his career next season. Playing on a line with either Mikko Koivu or Mikael Granlund will give Parise an excellent setup man down the middle.
35 goal potential and one of the best defensive wingers in the game makes Parise one of the top left wingers in the NHL heading into next season.
82 games played 34 goals 44 assists 78 points
Jun 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game seven of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Sharp is a huge part of one of the best defensive lines in hockey with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. They don’t always play together, but when the Chicago Blackhawks have a lead, and Sharp hops over the boards with Toews and Hossa, you can bet a comeback is not coming soon.
Sharp is one of the best penalty killing forwards in the game, and has been extremely consistent offensively for the past four seasons. Put 30 goals and 70 points in the bank for Sharp next season, and pencil him in to the best shorthanded unit in the league.
5. Joe Pavelski
82 games played 41 goals 38 assists 79 points
Apr 30, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) skates with the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Kings defeated the Sharks 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Pavelski moved to left wing early last season when Tomas Hertl was injured, and he exploded offensively on a line with Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. He far exceeded his previous best in goals and points, and with Hertl returning from injury, it is difficult to guess where Pavelski fits in the San Jose Sharks lineup. Burns is moving back to defense, so Pavelski may find himself playing the right side instead of the left wing this season, where they Sharks already have Hertl and Patrick Marleau.
Though he led all left wingers in goals with 41 last season, it is difficult to suggest he will be the best left winger next season, when he may not even play the position.
73 games played 39 goals 21 assists 60 points
May 19, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) scores a goal against New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) as right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) looks on during the first period in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Pacioretty scored more goals than any left winger aside from Pavelski last season, and has been extremely consistent offensively for the past three seasons. His points per game was 0.82 last season, 0.89 in 2013 and 0.82 in 2011-12. He may not be able to top his 39 goals from last season, but expect Pacioretty to come close and arrive at just under 70 points if he can stay healthy all season.
81 games played 26 goals 39 assists 65 points
Landeskog had a bounce abck season after a difficult lockout shortened 2013, by setting career highs in all offensive categories. He is just 21, and will likely increase his offensive production that season, as well as continue to be an excellent two way power forward and leader as the captain of the Colorado Avalanche.
April 20, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau (12) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks defeated the Kings 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
8. Patrick Marleau
82 games played 33 goals 37 assists 70 points
Marleau continues to pile up goals well into his 30’s, and was one of the most productive left wingers in the league last season with 33 goals and 70 points. He scored less than 28 goals only once in a full season since 2002, and is unlikely to fall under that mark this year.
9. Alex Steen
68 games played 33 goals 29 assists 62 points
Steen was one of the most productive left wingers in the league with 0.91 points per game last season. It was quite a breakout campaign for the steady two way winger, who beat his previous career high in goals by nine. I expect him to fall back down to earth a bit next season, and score about 25 goals and 60 points in a full season, while contributing to the penalty kill.
10. Ryan O’Reilly
80 games played 28 goals 36 assists 64 points
Contract disputes and offer sheets have somewhat overshadowed O’Reilly’s talent level in the past few seasons. He is a sound two way winger who will play on the Colorado Avalanche top line with Matt Duchene and Jarome Iginla this season.
30 goals and 65 points are not out of the question for O’Reilly who is just 23 years old, and a two way force for the Avs.
11. Chris Kunitz
78 games played 35 goals 33 assists 68 points
Apr 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins, people have written off Kunitz success as a byproduct of being on a line with Sidney Crosby. Playing with the best player in the world doesn’t hurt, but Kunitz was a solid two way player while with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring 25 goals and helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2007.
12. James Van Riemsdyk
80 games played 30 goals 31 assists 61 points
Van Riemsdyk was an absolute steal for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a trade that sent Luke Schenn to the Philadelphia Flyers. A big, skilled 25 year old winger who will play on a line with Phil Kessel, expect JVR to at least match his 30-30 production from last season.
13. Milan Lucic
80 games played 24 goals 35 assists 59 points
Lucic is one of the most difficult wingers in the league to play against because of his enormous stature and physical nature. Expect another 25 goal and 60 point season, unless he fulfills his playoff handshake promise and misses the season after being sent to jail for the murder of Dale Weise.
May 3, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Montreal Canadiens left wing Thomas Vanek (20) screens Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
14. Thomas Vanek
78 games played 27 goals 41 assists 68 points
As frustrating as Vanek was to watch for Canadiens fans, his talent level is extremely high. He was very productive last season even though he was traded twice, and finished the year with 0.87 points per game. He will likely fit in very well on a line with Jason Pominville and either Mikko Koivu or Mikael Granlund next season and return to his 30 goal form.
Notable omissions: Marian Gaborik was phenomenal for the L.A. Kings en route to a Stanley Cup win last Spring, but has been very inconsistent in the past. He certainly has the talent to not only be on this list, but near the top. However, injuries and inconsistent play forced me to leave him just outside the top 14.
I am a big Patrik Elias fan and have been for years, but just could not find room for him on this list.
Jeff Skinner scored 33 goals last season and is only 22 years old. You could make a strong case for him to be on this list, but he has been inconsistent in the past, and the Carolina Hurricanes are an awful team, which could drag down his offensive potential.
Apr 10, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane (9) celebrates his goal on Boston Bruins goalie Chad Johnson (30) (not shown) during the third period at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 2-1 overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
I have to say I was surprised to see that Evander Kane had only 41 points in 63 last season. I had him penciled in high on this list before I started digging into the stats, and actually surprised myself when I pushed him right off the top 14. He has tons of potential, and is a blossoming power forward at the age of 23, but has a rocky relationship in Winnipeg which may hinder his production this season.
Daniel Sedin’s plummet from greatness continued last season as his points per game dropped significantly for the fourth straight season. He will be 34 next year, and in my opinion won’t be able to become an elite player again in his career.
Rick Nash was on the NHL.com list as the 11th best left winger in the game, but he 1) isn’t that good anymore and 2) hasn’t played left wing in years and will be a right winger again next season.