The Top-5 x2

Something I'm going to try and do with my blog is do a Top-5 of something every week. Hopefully this can spring up some conversation regarding other reader's Top-5s. This week I am counting down the Top-5 North American NHLers today, as well as the Top-5 European NHLers today.

Top 5 North Americans:
5. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: At the beginning of the season, he was the best. Injury brought him down the list, he could emerge back at the top still.
4. Chris Pronger, Anaheim Ducks: The Defenceman who can do it all. Best in the league? Quite possibly.
3. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks: Best goalie in the league, the only reason the Canucks are afloat still.
2. Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning: He will fight, he will score, he will set up big goals. He is the definition of a complete player.
1. Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames: Much the same as #2, his team record puts him on top by default though.

Top 5 Europeans:
5. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins: MVP! MVP! MVP! If not for him, I shudder to think of what might have happened to Pittsburgh when Crosby was down.
4. Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers: Best sniper in the league? Pretty darn close to it, if Atlanta had the same spark as last year he would be higher on the list.
3. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators: Proves those who say Europeans aren't good leaders wrong. When the Sens were shut down in the finals last year, he was the lone bright spot.
2. Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings: The Hockey News proclaimed him the "Best Euro Ever." It is hard to argue with that, he is well on his way to another Norris Trophy and leads the NHL with a league best +39.
1. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: AO is well on his way to being the best Russian hockey player ever. He can do it all! He loves to score goals and that is good, because he scores a lot of them. He is the first and maybe only player in the league to score 50 goals this year.