Top 10 NHL Players to watch in 2005-061. Crosby, Pittsburgh. Dare we say it: can he crack the top five in scoring? Surrounded with the likes of Mario Lemieux, Mark Recchi, John LeClair, Ziggy Palffy and Sergei Gonchar, Crosby has the tools to score 80 points and maybe even more. But will he tire of all the attention?
2. Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver. Will the suspension affect him or not? Big Bert was the best power forward in the NHL before his fateful mistake in March 2004. He's vowed to come back playing the kind of game that got him on top, an in-your-face style that complements his soft hands and makes him a poolie's dream.
3. Rick Nash, Columbus. The NHL may have its first 60-goal scorer since Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr turned the trick in 1995-96. Nash was so good as the world hockey championship in Austria last spring with jaw-dropping moves. Not since Rocket Richard has a player gone from the blue-line to the net with such voracity.
4. Thomas Vanek, Buffalo. "He's probably the most all-around gifted player I've been around," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told the Buffalo News. He's in the shadows of more heralded rookies such as Crosby, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and Alexander Ovechkin, but this 21-year-old Austrian prospect has big-time talent. The 6-2, 210-pound winger scored 42 goals in 74 AHL games last year and may very well start the season on the top line with Sabres star Daniel Briere.
5. Dany Heatley, Ottawa. The 24-year-old Calgary native wants to prove his doubters wrong with a huge season with his new team. He's on the outside looking in right now when it comes to the Olympic team and he needs a great start to get back into the mix. He's looked great in pre-season.
6. Mathieu Garon, Los Angeles. After years of playing second fiddle to Jose Theodore in Montreal, the 27-year-old Garon finally gets his chance to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL with the Kings. Will the Habs rue the day they traded him?
7. David Legwand, Nashville. It's a make-or-break year for the 25-year-old after five NHL seasons which has seen him fail to crack the 50-point barrier. He's starting the year as the No. 1 centre with Paul Kariya on his left side. No more excuses.
8. Eric Lindros, Toronto. The Big E finally got his wish when he signed with his favourite team growing up. Now the heat's on him to produce. He was the best player on the New York Rangers before suffering yet another concussion in 2003-04. Can he stay injury-free this season?
9. Robert Nilsson, N.Y. Islanders. The 20-year-old Swede, New York's first pick _ 15th overall _ in 2003, begins the season on the top line with Alexei Yashin and Miroslav Satan. Could be a real sleeper of a poolie pick if he's able to maintain that lofty role.
10. Ty Conklin, Edmonton. The 29-year-old Alaskan is likely the difference between the Oilers making the playoffs or not. As much as Chris Pronger and Mike Peca were huge additions, Conklin has to prove he's a true No. 1 goalie in the NHL for Edmonton to have any chance.
Вот мой Топ-10
1.Кросби-тут комментировать нечего.Много рекламы и ожиданий от этого парня...
2.Кипрусофф-все-таки этот сезон должен показать насколько хорош Кип.По сравнению с Теодором и Жигером у него есть маленькое превосходство.В прошлом году был локаут,потому и он сумел немного отдохнуть от всей шумихи НХЛ.
3.Овечкин-(чит.Кросби)
4.Фанеф-мечтал что Канадиенс его задрафтует,потому как был уверен в его способностях и бойцовском характере.Не сомневаюсь я в этом и сейчас,просто хочется посмотреть насколько же он действительно хорош
5.Гарон-много авансов выдали этому киперу(я вообще чуть ли не вознес его в ранг Бога:)),теперь пришло время показать что он в способности стать стабильным первым номером в НХЛ.
6.Бродор-он крут,без сомнений.Но насколько его крутость зависела от присутствия Стивенса на льду?
7.Картер&Ричардс-давно не помню чтобы в составе Флаерс были настолько хваленные доморощенные игроки которых Кларк не успел обменять
8.Селянне-возрождение или продолжение падения?
9.Булис-сможет ли этот игрок повторить свои прошлогодние достижения в Европе и перейти отметку 25 шайб или все же он так и останется хорошим чеккером и не более!?
10.Тойвонен версус Райнкрофт-это будет супер дуэль за первого номера команды,вполне возможно это станет главным козырем Мишек в этом сезоне
У меня получилось не ТОП-10,а ТОП-12
и ещё много-много интересных вопросов:)