#NHLrank: Forwards
To get ready for the 2013-14 season, we are ranking the best players in the NHL by position. We asked the "experts" to rank each player on a scale of 1 to 10 based on his current quality of play.
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1 |
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Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins | Age: 26 | Experience: 8 years |
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2 |
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Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins | Age: 27 | Experience: 7 years |
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3 |
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Jonathan Toews Chicago Blackhawks | Age: 25 | Experience: 6 years |
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4 |
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Pavel Datsyuk Detroit Red Wings | Age: 35 | Experience: 11 years |
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5 |
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Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning | Age: 23 | Experience: 5 years |
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6 |
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John Tavares New York Islanders | Age: 22 | Experience: 4 years |
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7 |
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Alex Ovechkin Washington Capitals | Age: 27 | Experience: 8 years |
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8 |
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Patrice Bergeron Boston Bruins | Age: 28 | Experience: 9 years |
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9 |
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Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks | Age: 24 | Experience: 6 years |
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10 |
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Claude Giroux Philadelphia Flyers | Age: 25 | Experience: 5 years |
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10 |
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Henrik Zetterberg Detroit Red Wings | Age: 32 | Experience: 10 years |
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12 |
Zach PariseMinnesota Wild | Age: 29 | Experience: 8 years |
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13 |
Logan CoutureSan Jose Sharks | Age: 24 | Experience: 4 years |
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13 |
Corey PerryAnaheim Ducks | Age: 28 | Experience: 8 years |
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13 |
Daniel SedinVancouver Canucks | Age: 32 | Experience: 12 years |
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13 |
Henrik SedinVancouver Canucks | Age: 32 | Experience: 12 years |
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13 |
Martin St. LouisTampa Bay Lightning | Age: 38 | Experience: 15 years |
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18 |
Marian HossaChicago Blackhawks | Age: 34 | Experience: 15 years |
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18 |
Anze KopitarLos Angeles Kings | Age: 26 | Experience: 7 years |
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20 |
Ryan GetzlafAnaheim Ducks | Age: 28 | Experience: 8 years |
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20 |
Phil KesselToronto Maple Leafs | Age: 25 | Experience: 7 years |
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20 |
Joe ThorntonSan Jose Sharks | Age: 34 | Experience: 16 years |
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23 |
Patrick SharpChicago Blackhawks | Age: 31 | Experience: 10 years |
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24 |
Dustin BrownLos Angeles Kings | Age: 28 | Experience: 9 years |
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24 |
Eric StaalCarolina Hurricanes | Age: 28 | Experience: 9 years |
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| Rank | Player | Score | ||||||||||||||
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26 |
David KrejciBoston Bruins | Age: 27 | Experience: 7 years |
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27 |
Taylor HallEdmonton Oilers | Age: 21 | Experience: 3 years |
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28 |
Rick NashNew York Rangers | Age: 29 | Experience: 10 years |
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29 |
Nicklas BackstromWashington Capitals | Age: 25 | Experience: 6 years |
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29 |
James NealPittsburgh Penguins | Age: 26 | Experience: 5 years |
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31 |
Jeff CarterLos Angeles Kings | Age: 28 | Experience: 8 years |
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31 |
Thomas VanekBuffalo Sabres | Age: 29 | Experience: 8 years |
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33 |
Jason SpezzaOttawa Senators | Age: 30 | Experience: 10 years |
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34 |
Ryan CallahanNew York Rangers | Age: 28 | Experience: 7 years |
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35 |
Matt DucheneColorado Avalanche | Age: 22 | Experience: 4 years |
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36 |
Brad MarchandBoston Bruins | Age: 25 | Experience: 4 years |
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37 |
David BackesSt. Louis Blues | Age: 29 | Experience: 7 years |
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| Rank | Player | Score | ||||||||||||||
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37 |
Loui ErikssonBoston Bruins | Age: 28 | Experience: 7 years |
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39 |
Jamie BennDallas Stars | Age: 24 | Experience: 4 years |
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39 |
Jordan EberleEdmonton Oilers | Age: 23 | Experience: 3 years |
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39 |
Joe PavelskiSan Jose Sharks | Age: 29 | Experience: 7 years |
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42 |
Ryan KeslerVancouver Canucks | Age: 29 | Experience: 9 years |
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43 |
Patrick MarleauSan Jose Sharks | Age: 34 | Experience: 15 years |
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44 |
Chris KunitzPittsburgh Penguins | Age: 33 | Experience: 9 years |
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45 |
Milan LucicBoston Bruins | Age: 25 | Experience: 6 years |
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45 |
Max PaciorettyMontreal Canadiens | Age: 24 | Experience: 5 years |
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47 |
Andrew LaddWinnipeg Jets | Age: 27 | Experience: 8 years |
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47 |
Mike RichardsLos Angeles Kings | Age: 28 | Experience: 8 years |
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47 |
Derek StepanNew York Rangers | Age: 23 | Experience: 3 years |
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| Rank | Player | Score | Rank | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Tomas Plekanec Montreal Canadiens |
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David Clarkson Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Edmonton Oilers |
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Johan Franzen Detroit Red Wings |
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Alexander Semin Carolina Hurricanes |
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Ilya Kovalchuk |
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Joffrey Lupul Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Blake Wheeler Winnipeg Jets |
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James van Riemsdyk Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Kyle Turris Ottawa Senators |
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Jonathan Huberdeau Florida Panthers |
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Sam Gagner Edmonton Oilers |
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Evander Kane Winnipeg Jets |
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T.J. Oshie St. Louis Blues |
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Mikko Koivu Minnesota Wild |
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Milan Michalek Ottawa Senators |
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Alex Galchenyuk Montreal Canadiens |
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Scott Hartnell Philadelphia Flyers |
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Matt Moulson New York Islanders |
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Vincent Lecavalier Philadelphia Flyers |
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Patrik Elias New Jersey Devils |
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Mike Ribeiro Phoenix Coyotes |
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Marian Gaborik Columbus Blue Jackets |
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Brent Burns San Jose Sharks |
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Wayne Simmonds Philadelphia Flyers |
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Tyler Seguin Dallas Stars |
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Jakub Voracek Philadelphia Flyers |
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Alexander Steen St. Louis Blues |
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| Rank | Player | Score | Rank | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Nazem Kadri Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Troy Brouwer Washington Capitals |
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P.A. Parenteau Colorado Avalanche |
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Cody Hodgson Buffalo Sabres |
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Jason Pominville Minnesota Wild |
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Ray Whitney Dallas Stars |
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Brandon Saad Chicago Blackhawks |
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Jiri Tlusty Carolina Hurricanes |
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Justin Williams Los Angeles Kings |
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Mika Zibanejad Ottawa Senators |
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Alex Burrows Vancouver Canucks |
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Tomas Fleischmann Florida Panthers |
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Jarome Iginla Boston Bruins |
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Teddy Purcell Tampa Bay Lightning |
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Michael Ryder New Jersey Devils |
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Brad Richards New York Rangers |
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Vladimir Tarasenko St. Louis Blues |
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Jaden Schwartz St. Louis Blues |
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Derick Brassard New York Rangers |
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Brenden Morrow Pittsburgh Penguins |
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Frans Nielsen New York Islanders |
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Sven Baertschi Calgary Flames |
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Radim Vrbata Phoenix Coyotes |
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Watch: Players Vote
There is no better way to know who is best than to ask the guys who play against them. The league's top players tell us who is No. 1.
• Players vote for best goaltender ![]()
• D-man no one wants to face
SN: Fan Voting

Think we are wrong? Make your voice heard. Show us how you would rank the top masked men in the league. And go on Twitter to tell us what you think using #NHLrank.
Rank 'Em
• Goalies » D-men » Forwards » Coaches »
Preseason Predictions
• Power Rankings »
• Division winners »
• Award winners »
• Quiz: Past 10 Cup winners »
#NHLrank

• Goaltenders: Top 25 »
• Defensemen: Top 50 »
• Forwards: Top 100 »
• Coaches: All current head coaches »
• Debate: Who's the best in net? »
• Burnside: Pronger's new normal »
• Highs and lows of #NHLrank »
• LeBrun: Ruff's new start stirs old memories »
• Fan reaction to #NHLrank »
• Photos: Top 10 ![]()
About The Rankings
How did we rank the players?
We asked "experts" from around the world who cover the NHL to rate each player on a 1-to-10 scale, with 10 being the best, based on their current quality of play.
What is #NHLrank?
#NHLrank is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to get involved in the discussion or just follow along. You can also give us your input: @ESPN_NHL and on Facebook at NHL on ESPN.


















































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