Best pure goal-scorer in the NHL? Options

[pezking]

I came across this article, thought I'd post it and look for feedback.

I think the majority of the players answers are right up there with my own. Kovalchuck, Ovechkin, and Jagr.

The Hockey News asked 30 NHLers, “Who is the best pure goal-scorer in the NHL?”

Of the 30 players polled, 16 players (53 per cent) said Ilya Kovalchuk, seven (24 per cent) believed Alexander Ovechkin, six (20 per cent) suggested Jaromir Jagr, and one (3 per cent) liked Jarome Iginla.

Slick Philadelphia winger Simon Gagne is tied with Kovalchuk for second in the NHL with 37 goals, behind Jagr's 40, but didn't gain a single vote.

Here are the results from each team. Players were not allowed to name someone from their own squad and some respondents asked to remain anonymous.

ANAHEIM - Alex Ovechkin
“I guess it would have to be that Russian kid, (Alexander) Ovechkin. He doesn't have a lot of guys to play with, and he's scored some amazing goals.” - Jason Marshall

ATLANTA - Jaromir Jagr
- Slava Kozlov

BOSTON - Alex Ovechkin
“I have to go with (Alexander) Ovechkin. He's looking to score all the time; he takes every opportunity to take a shot. He has a great shot, a really quick release. A couple of goals he's scored, you can't even see the puck.” - Sergei Samsonov

BUFFALO - Ilya Kovalchuk
"I would have said Mario Lemieux before he retired, but Kovalchuk has proved he can do it year after year. He can shoot from everywhere." - Daniel Briere

CALGARY - Ilya Kovalchuk
- Anonymous

CAROLINA - Ilya Kovalchuk
- Justin Williams

CHICAGO - Alexander Ovechkin
- Mark Bell

COLORADO - Alex Ovechkin
“It might be Ovechkin right now.” - Anonymous

COLUMBUS - Ilya Kovalchuk
”The guy's amazing.'' - Rick Nash.

DALLAS - Ilya Kovalchuk
”The kid Ovechkin is coming on, but I still think Kovalchuk is the guy who is the most dangerous.'' - Stu Barnes

DETROIT - Jaromir Jagr
"He creates a lot hanging onto the puck and just using his legs.'' - Nicklas Lidstrom

EDMONTON - Jaromir Jagr
"You can't argue with Jaromir Jagr's 40 goals.'' - Jaroslav Spacek

FLORIDA - Jaromir Jagr
- Anonymous

LOS ANGELES - Jarome Iginla
- Craig Conroy

MINNESOTA - Ilya Kovalchuk
- Marian Gaborik

MONTREAL - Ilya Kovalchuk
“He seems to be putting up the numbers. He has a nose for the net and is a dangerous player.” - Sheldon Souray

NASHVILLE - Jaromir Jagr
“He's just so big and strong on top of being skilled.” - Chris Mason

NEW JERSEY - Ilya Kovalchuk
”He always gets the most shots on net and he has a goal-scoring touch. He's a shooter. You can put my friend Jagr there, too." - Patrik Elias

NEW YORK ISLANDERS - Ilya Kovalchuk
- Anonymous

NEW YORK RANGERS - Ilya Kovalchuk
”He can score anytime." - Jaromir Jagr

OTTAWA - Alexander Ovechkin
"Look at the way he has beaten some goalies." - Mike Fisher

PHILADELPHIA - Alex Ovechkin
”A couple of goals you've seen on TV are just pure goal-scorers goals. I was really impressed by him.” - R.J. Umberger

PHOENIX - Ilya Kovalchuk
”It's between Ovechkin and Kovalchuk but I'll have to go with Kovalchuk. He'll shoot from anywhere on the ice and he's not interested too much in passing. He's all about scoring goals and obviously he's good at it.” - Fredrik Sjostrom

PITTSBURGH - Ilya Kovalchuk
"He's a shooter." - Eric Boguniecki

ST. LOUIS - Alexander Ovechkin.
“I don't even have to think about that one.” - Curtis Sanford

SAN JOSE - Ilya Kovalchuk
- Alyn McCauley

TAMPA BAY - Ilya Kovalchuk
”If Brett Hull had not retired, I would've picked him. I worked out with him in the summer and he still can shoot like no one I've ever faced. His shot is heavy, hard, accurate, quick, everything. He still can bring it to this day. If he were still playing, he would still be the best pure shooter in the world.'' - Sean Burke

TORONTO - Jaromir Jagr
“But he's getting some really stiff competition from some young guys like Kovalchuk and Ovechkin. You can tell Ovechkin just loves scoring goals." - Mats Sundin

VANCOUVER - Ilya Kovalchuk
- Trevor Linden

WASHINGTON - Ilya Kovalchuk
- Anonymous

[Maj. H8Red]

Jagr gets my vote

[Undertow]

Jagr gets my vote

[pezking]

I'd like to say Ovechkin but I think he needs another year or two of consistency. If it were which goal scorer brings the most value to his team, it would be Ovechkin. Overall, I'd have to say Jagr because he plays both ways, uses his body and legs, sets up great plays/goals, as well as scores great goals. Just wish he could've done it in Washington a few years ago. Kovalchuck is good too, but he sucks on back checking and playing defense. I know he's a winger and it's not expected, but he's really lazy or he's just looking for a quick cherry pick for a breakaway so he doesn't even cover the other team's defensemen while his team is on D. Although, it's just about scoring goals... Ovechkin is the most exciting for goals. I'll post some clips of his goals... just AMAZING.

[Oh You]

Ovechkin had the single greatest goal this season, the one where he was on his back and with one hand put it in, but Jagr is my pick right now.

On a related not, has anyone noticed how Jagr was dead weight for the last 2 or 3 seasons, the rules change, and now hes unstoppable?

[pezking]

He was w/the Caps, that's why he was dead weight.

Caps always seem to trade away talent and get guys past their prime or over-rated players in return. We just got Kris Beech back when we traded away last week... we drafted him in 99 and sent him to Pitt as trade bait for Jagr a few years back. Kid came full circle and I'm sure they'll use him as trade bait next year too.

[|$aucy|]

Jagr was 'dead weight' the 2 or 3 years prior to the lockout because he was unhappy playing in Washington. He didn't like the system he was forced to play under and had a problem with the coaching staff, but now that he is in New York under Renney and the system they utilize he is happy again. Also, apparently his love for the game was revitilized last year when he played hockey in Siberia.

[pezking]

He got tired of all the non-hockey fans in Washington calling his "Jay-row-meer Jag-ger" Two things that annoy me, people that can't pronounce hockey player names while pretending to know alot about them. If you know how to say Patrick Roy or Vincent LeCavalier, go home. The other thing is the fat ladies that sit behind me at the games. They wear Caps jerseys that must be XXXXXL with every players pin on the front accompanied by a few signatures. They love to shout the player's names as that player touches the puck. "LET'S GO ZUBRUS, SCORE ME A GOAL!!!!".... I just wanna turn around yell, STFU!

While I'm on the subject... I always hate, but always get a giggle out of the people who tell the players what to do. Hence, team is on a powerplay and some dude yells "SHOOOOOT IT!" at the top of his lungs like he's mad. This guy doesn't have a single idea how the sport is played, otherwise he'd understand that the team is setting up a play to pull the goalie to one site, screen the goalie, cycle players through the slot for best shot, etc. I kinda wish the other goalie would credit that guy with a save assist sometime.... "I'd really like to thank that fan for telling the other team to shoot.... it really gave me a heads up on what was going on"

[pezking]

If you DON'T know how to say Patrick Roy or Vincent LeCavalier, go home. *correction

[Geallor]

If you DON'T know how to say Patrick Roy or Vincent LeCavalier, go home. *correction

Dude you gotta Say Rick Nash cmon he charges at net and 99.9% gets past them he played he missed 44 games with injuries nad played the rest and so far hes has 24 goals he has to be the most purest oneeeeeeeeeee

[Maj. H8Red]

If you DON'T know how to say Patrick Roy or Vincent LeCavalier, go home. *correction

Dude you gotta Say Rick Nash cmon he charges at net and 99.9% gets past them he played he missed 44 games with injuries nad played the rest and so far hes has 24 goals he has to be the most purest one

Geallor....Go home kid!

Pez....LaCavalier messed me up for a while early on & ya mean Roy isn't pronounced how it's spelled? LMAO j/k LONG LIVE St. Patrick (I miss him playing)

This post has been edited by Maj. H8Red: 03/29/06 1:27pm

[Geallor]

If you DON'T know how to say Patrick Roy or Vincent LeCavalier, go home. *correction

Dude you gotta Say Rick Nash cmon he charges at net and 99.9% gets past them he played he missed 44 games with injuries nad played the rest and so far hes has 24 goals he has to be the most purest one

Geallor....Go home kid! why should i come to your basement hehehe

Rick nash is the purest goal scorer im just saying the truth

Pez....LaCavalier messed me up for a while early on & ya mean Roy isn't pronounced how it's spelled? LMAO j/k LONG LIVE St. Patrick (I miss him playing)

If you DON'T know how to say Patrick Roy or Vincent LeCavalier, go home. *correction

Dude you gotta Say Rick Nash cmon he charges at net and 99.9% gets past them he played he missed 44 games with injuries nad played the rest and so far hes has 24 goals he has to be the most purest one

Geallor....Go home kid! why should i come to your basement hehehe

Rick nash is the purest goal scorer im just saying the truth

Pez....LaCavalier messed me up for a while early on & ya mean Roy isn't pronounced how it's spelled? LMAO j/k LONG LIVE St. Patrick (I miss him playing)

Rick Nash rookie of the year in 2004 and tied with most goals so yeah

[Maj. H8Red]

So he's the best goal scorer based on one season, if he's soooo great why did he tie for most goals?

[pezking]

I'll agree that Rick Nash has a lot of talent, but I wouldn't put him up there with the others in this thread. Jagr has been a huge threat to goalies for over a decade. Kovalchuk and Ovechkin just have pure talent. Nash is smart and he's got some speed, reminds me of Lecavelier or a young Yzerman. He just needs to be put into a good system with a good coach and he'll start winning some games. If Nash was having a great season, why has this been the first time I've really seen or heard his name mentioned? Kind of like Iginla, he's slowly putting together 30+ goals, but nobody's talking about the Flames.