Rick Nash (Team Canada)
Probably because he's lost in the sea of mediocrity that is the Columbus Blue Jackets, I've never noticed what a big, strong, fast, nasty player he is.
My God, they have to trade him someplace where he'll get some attention. I don't know I've seen such player of his caliber, short of Ovechkin.
There are faster players, craftier players (Datsyuk) with the puck, but he's a world-class talent.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^
As someone who lives in eastern Ohio, and goes to BJ's games when the Wings are in town, I can say without doubt, Nash is legit.
Maybe we'll get lucky and Babcock we'll convince him to somehow get out of his contract with Columbus and sign with Detroit for chump change. Maybe the world will end tommorrow. Maybe I should stop huffing paint fumes.
February 28th, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^
Yeah, Nash is a sick scoring talent. The two big criticisms of him are that he's a bit of a defensive liability, and he's a big time puck hog. A few years ago, when he tied for the Rocket Richard trophy, I'm pretty sure he had single digit assists, and his plus/minus numbers over his career have been awful, regardless of the talent level on the rest of his line.
That being said, he's one of the scariest players in the NHL when he's got the puck on his stick. I wouldn't be so quick to put his overall game on the same level as say, Ovechkin, Iginla, Malkin, etc., because he's got some pretty significant flaws that are being masked by this sick team Canada lineup, but the guy's a stud, and he's certainly one of the NHL's best.
February 28th, 2010 at 6:00 PM ^
Crosby just scored, Bettman must have a mass erection right now.
February 28th, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^
I did not know it was possible to hate someone as much as i hate crosby.
February 28th, 2010 at 6:09 PM ^
You said it bro. I will contribute large sums of money to whomever to keep the Penguins out of the finals this year.
February 28th, 2010 at 6:28 PM ^
Give it to me and I can bet on the Penguins, they will for sure lose if I have money on them.
Seriously though, go CAPs
February 28th, 2010 at 6:33 PM ^
My uncle and I were discussing the same thing about Nash. Give him to me over Cindy any day.
February 28th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^
despite the weak loss to Canada, he is the best player and IMO way better than Crosby--I'd take him over Sid anyday
February 28th, 2010 at 6:57 PM ^
I would too, but I'd also take Nash. He's a match-up nightmare defensively. Wingspan, quick for his size and powerful. He's what Lindros should have been.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:05 PM ^
what I was thinking. Faster than Lindros, too.
February 28th, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
Comparing Crosby and Ovechkin just doesn't work. They're tasked with different responsibilities on the ice, and anyone who has played at a high level of competitive hockey can tell you that. Ovechkin is a winger, a pure goal scorer for the most part. And he is damn good at it.
Crosby as a center needs to be a play maker. He sees the entire ice very well, and his ability to set up plays is amazing. He has one of the best, if not the best faceoff percentage in the league this year and kills penalties. He's also not anywhere near the liability that Ovechkin is in terms of turnovers and defense.
They're both great players. Neither will be the next Gretzky or Lemieux, but they're still both great players. Anyone who would rather have Nash over Crosby is insane. You could make plenty of arguments for either Crosby or Ovechkin, but really...Nash?
February 28th, 2010 at 6:49 PM ^
Nash is a solid player. He's usually good for a couple hat tricks against the Wings every season. I'd love to see the guy in a Wings uni but it's unlikely as he just signed a long extension last season.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:09 PM ^
Him and Shea Weber are just beasts. In the first 4 games, Weber's shot dented a post, broke glass, and literally went through the net. He's got a rocket for a shot.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:52 PM ^
is similar to Nash in that you might think they are big and slow, but really they have plenty of speed and puck skills.