Vancouver Canucks' Ryan Kesler best player in hockey right now
With a sizzling 18 goals in his past 24 games, Ryan Kesler isn't just the hottest player in the National Hockey League, he's also the best player in the league at this moment.
Starting with his first career hattrick on December 15 against Columbus, Kesler has scored more goals than anyone in the NHL (he has 18 in that time, Steven Stamkos has 15). He leads all forwards in the league in +/- and has worked his way into the top 10 of virtually every significant statistical category.
The 26-year-old is tied for the NHL lead with six game winning goals, is third behind only Stamkos and Sidney Crosby with 30 goals on the season, is tied for fourth with 10 power play goals, is tied for eighth with a pair of short-handed goals and is tied for 10th in shooting percentage (17.8 percent). Toss in the fact that he is 13th in the NHL in faceoff percentage (56 percent) and the guy is doing it all every time he steps on the ice.
As the best player on the best team in the National Hockey League, Ryan Kesler has certainly worked himself into the early discussion as a Hart Trophy nominee. And it's safe to assume that after being runner-up the past two seasons, Kesler will finally get his hands—and name—on the Selke Trophy as the league's best two-way player.
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Comments
7 Comments
Jesse
Feb 3, 2011 at 10:08am
What a dumb way to put it.
Pick a number of games that works for you and call him the best player in hockey? In their past 8 games, Kesler has scored 6 goals, and Stamkos 8 (despite Stamkos not playing last night and Kesler picking up two goals). Not to mention Stamkos had a 6 game stretch during January when he was injured and didn't pick up any points. Only reason Crosby doesn't have more during that period too is because he was injured.
Don't fool yourself. He lacks in points and still hasn't caught Crosby in goals. A season's worth of great work > 1 hot stretch.
Canuckle
Feb 3, 2011 at 11:34am
I'm with Jesse.
Although Kes is doing outstanding, to claim he is "the best player in the NHL right now" is sort of dumb...right now.
Stewart MacKenzie
Feb 3, 2011 at 12:24pm
Kesler is a Two time Selke Trophy finalist, has physical aspects to his game which Stamkos and Sid the Kid do not, signed long term for well below market value based on past two seasons, is on pace to nearly double career best in goals, improved his attitude and reduced his penalty minutes and increased his plus/minus - what is not to like?
Any player who can be a Selke finalist while scoring 45 goals or more is an obvious Hart choice.
Stamkos plays for a team which doesn't worry much about defense and their goal differential is 49 goals worse than Vancouver's. As great as he is as a goal scorer his all round game doesn't measure up to Kesler's.
Crosby is a great all round player but his immaturity screamed out during the loss to the Habs in last year's playoff - if he had quit whining and yapping at the refs he might have helped his team but he just couldn't help losing it, along with a lot of respect from fans.
MarkRagnar
Feb 3, 2011 at 12:28pm
If we get to define "now" to prove our point, my pick is Johan Franzen, starting yesterday.
Jesse
Feb 3, 2011 at 1:34pm
Anyone who calls Kesler the best in hockey is a biased Canucks fan. Anyone would agree except for Canucks fans.
Kesler is a great player, just not the best player in hockey.
poopnoodle
Feb 3, 2011 at 4:50pm
I swear the media are either beating this team or swallowing their entire girth
kam
Feb 3, 2011 at 5:48pm
kesler is up there with the elite..guy's in beast mode.. he doesnt have a marty st louis feeding him the puck or play in a weaker eastern conference . he does it all on his own . plus his 2 way game is unmatched by few in the leauge. well see what happens down the stretch. canucks are rolling and he is the key reason why.