On the day Mike Modano has officially retired as part of the Dallas Stars Organization, I think it is fitting to rank the top 5 U.S. born hockey players. Who is going to fill the shoes of the Modano’s, Chelios’, and Guerin’s? I will rank my top 5 U.S. born players and I encourage you to post your thoughts.
My number one pick is Tim Thomas. Despite his age, I still feel right now he is the best overall U.S. born player in the game today. Granted he is coming off of a season, which may not be repeated, I feel he is the biggest game changer and backbone to his franchise.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Ryan-Miller-vs-Tim-Thomas-Who-saves-USA-Hockey?urn=nhl-183845
My second pick is another goaltender in the Sabres’ Ryan Miller. Miller was the go-to-guy for Team USA in the past Olympics and did a phenomenal job leading the team to the Gold Medal Game. Miller is consistently a league leader in almost every goaltending category and doesn’t look to be slowing down.
Patrick Kane is my first choice for a non-goalie. Kane seems to amaze me every time I watch him play. He isn’t the biggest player or the fastest, but the creativity in his game and his confidence with the puck separate him from the rest of the players no my list. I am expecting big things out of Kane this season and for many to come.
Zach Parise is my fourth pick but is not far behind. Parise is coming off an injury plagues season and a dismal one for the New Jersey Devils. When healthy, Parise is one of the elite centers in the NHL and one of the best the USA has produced.
Rounding out my top 5 is Bobby Ryan. The New Jersey native is truly an up and coming player not only for the USA but the entire world. Ryan has put up huge numbers in his young career and is going to explode soon. Ryan has a big frame and some of the softest hands in the NHL and will only improve.
What U.S. born players would you put on the list??
Doesn't make any changes at all. They still make a good team.
Posted by: sap bpc consulting | 01/02/2012 at 04:39 AM