The Best Canadian Players in the NHL

One of the richest traditions in hockey has always been nations competing against each other. From the IIHF World Hockey Championships to the World Cup of Hockey to the Winter Olympics, the format is key to the sport. In the NHL nationalities are mixed, though the different styles of play from different parts of the world is still evident.

When people think of Canadian hockey players they typically think of naturally talented, gritty players who never shy away from a fight and can score a game changing goal at any moment. That is not always the case, but Canadian hockey players are so plentiful that they become tough to stereotype. With such a large pool to draw from, who stands out from the crowd?

10. Martin Brodeur - Goaltender, New Jersey Devils
There are a lot of goaltenders who could lay claim to being the greatest goalie of all time, but Martin Brodeur might have the best case of any. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Martin Brodeur has backstopped 16 seasons for the New Jersey Devils, ranking among the elite NHL goaltenders in each.

What really sets Martin Brodeur out from the other goaltenders is the sheer volume of play. During his NHL career Martin Brodeur has only missed time due to a single major injury - a torn bicep in the 2008-09 NHL season - and has played 70 or more games 12 of the last 14 seasons.

Brodeur and his Devils have only missed the playoffs once in that streak, while Martin Brodeur himself has collected four Vezina Trophies, five William M. Jennings Trophies, three Stanley Cups, two Olympic Gold Medals and being a fixture of the NHL All-Star Game. Even at 38-years-old, Martin Brodeur still ranks among the very best goaltenders the NHL has to offer.

9. Mike Richards - Center, Philadelphia Flyers
Debuting in the NHL at the same time as Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby left Mike Richards to fly under the radar while developing his game. Like his higher profile contemporaries, Richards has quickly turned into a star thanks to his amazingly well rounded play.

As the captain of the Philadelphia Flyers, Mike Richards has reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice, and led the Flyers on one of the most outstanding post season runs of all time during the 2009-10 NHL playoffs. After coming back from the brink of elimination against the Boston Bruins, the Flyers powered through fellow playoffs heroes in the form of the Montreal Canadiens before coming within two games of winning the Stanley Cup.

8. Chris Pronger - Defense, Philadelphia Flyers
The last defenseman to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as NHL MVP, Chris Pronger has been one of the most imposing figures on the ice for nearly two decades. He occasionally shows signs that his game is waning, but a veteran savvy has allowed Chris Pronger to fill the holes in his game to become an even bigger threat on the ice.

Since his 30^th birthday Chris Pronger has enjoyed the greatest success of his career, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals three times in the past five season, with the Edmonton Oilers in 2005-06, the Anaheim Ducks in 2006-07 and the Philadelphia Flyers in 2009-10. Every player currently suiting up for an NHL team dreads playing against Pronger, and with very good reason.

7. Rick Nash - Winger, Columbus Blue Jackets
Rick Nash announced his arrival to the NHL when he tied Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla for the league lead in goals with 41 during the 2001-02 NHL season. Since that point Rick Nash's game has developed from a mostly offensive sort into a great all-round game. Playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets has often left him to play with players below his level, but Nash proved his worth during the 2010 Winter Olympics when he paired with Jonathan Toews and Mike Richards to make for the best two-way line of the entire tournament.

With seven NHL seasons under his belt now, Rick Nash has the skills to be a major factor. Combine that with his proven leadership as the captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets as they try to become a playoff threat and the Rick Nash of today might just be a shadow of the greatness to come.

6. Dany Heatley - Winger, San Jose Sharks
Riding a streak of five straight seasons with 39 or more goals, Dany Heatley can only be considered among the NHL elite. Heatley has also topped 50 goals and 100 points twice in his career, both while paired up with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson as a member of the Ottawa Senators.

Now a member of the San Jose Sharks, Dany Heatley has developed chemistry with two more of the NHL's top players in the form of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. If that line can sustain their scoring output, the Stanley Cup that has eluded Dany Heatley for so long might finally become a reality.

5. Joe Thornton - Center, San Jose Sharks
In the history of the NHL, only three players have topped 90 assists in back-to-back seasons: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Joe Thornton. That is some pretty elite company.

Joe Thornton's peak was undoubtedly 2005-06 and 2006-07 when he registered 125 and 114 points, respectively. Thornton's offensive game has fallen off some since that point, but he is still good for better than a point-a-game thanks to his great on-ice vision and large frame.

4. Ryan Getzlaf - Center, Anaheim Ducks
The very definition of a power forward is Ryan Getzlaf. The 6'4", 220-pound Getzlaf plays with a vicious mean streak while also being one of the most creative passers in the NHL. Ryan Getzlaf forces players to play his game, and when you are playing Getzlaf's game there is little chance of you winning.

3. Duncan Keith - Defense, Chicago Blackhawks
It took a few seasons, but Duncan Keith has improved by leaps and bounds to become to top defenseman in the NHL. The 2010 Norris Trophy recipient ranks near the top of almost every statistical category, while also providing great leadership for the Chicago Blackhawks.

In the Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup victory, Duncan Keith was the only other player who had made a valid case for the Conn Smythe Trophy besides Jonathan Toews, and is one just three players to win an Olympic Gold Medal and the Stanley Cup in 2010.

2. Sidney Crosby - Center, Pittsburgh Penguins
Big things were expected from Sidney Crosby when he was drafted first overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Crosby did not disappoint, posting 102 points in his rookie season before scoring 120 - and claiming the Art Ross and Hart Trophies in the process - in his sophomore season.

Sidney Crosby has only gotten better as the years have gone by, developing into one of the grittier forwards in the NHL. Crosby has also improved his scoring ability, passing 50 goals for the first time in his career in 2009-10. With all of that it would be hard to imagine Sidney Crosby being at the top of any more lists, but Crosby also ranks among the best leaders in the NHL, as he proved in winning the Stanley Cup in 2009.

1. Jonathan Toews - Center, Chicago Blackhawks
A Stanley Cup and Olympic Gold Medal now grace Jonathan Toews' trophy shelf after a very success 2010, and it has only been half of the year so far. Not only that, but Jonathan Toews was named the most valuable player of both the NHL Playoffs and the Olympic tournament. Considering the level of talent in both, one player claiming both titles is simply amazing.

This is nothing new for Jonathan Toews, of course, as he earned the nickname "Captain Clutch" during his junior days due how he got better and better the closer he came to the championship. At only 22-years-old Toews has won the World Juniors twice (2006, 2007), a IIHF World Championship (2007), an Olympic Gold Medal (2010) and the Stanley Cup (2010).

The captain of the Chicago Blackhawks is not even in his prime yet, but he has still built a resume on winning, while being one of the best two-way players in the NHL. Jonathan Toews is bound for the Hockey Hall of Fame, now it is up to him to decide how long he wants the list of accolades to be when they induct him.

Like this article? You might also want to check out The Best American Players in the NHL.

Sources

http://www.nhl.com
http://www.hockeydb.com
http://www.tsn.ca