Top 50                                                                                                                                          ()=last season's rank   
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh (1)
Sid the Kid is the one that sell hockey right now and even if I hold a couple of players higher you can't argue with the talent of this 21-year old. He was injured during a long-time last season and maybe the top spot is a little high. Had the best points/game average though.

2. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington (2)
Won almost every trophy at the NHL's award show, he seems to be at the right place for the moment, but to keep this top position 'til next season I think he should be able to take Washington to a Eastern Conference-final this year.

3. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit (25)
The swedish Conn Smythe-winner is peaking right now and should be a "shoe-in" for a Hart Trophy nomination next year. It's a great leap from 25 to 3 place in one year but it's well deserved.

4. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit (36)
This is my number one, one of the best passers, one of the best stick-handlers, the best defensive forward and in my book the world's best now living hockey player. Makes the sickest moves on the ice and is as graceful as Roger Federer, an artist throughout his whole body. Number four in scoring, best +/- in the league, Stanley Cup champion, a pretty good year for Houdini.

5. Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay (7)
Played in the worst team in the league, but managed to come seventh in scoring, pretty good. I really don't get why his rank is better this year than last year's and I wouldn't have had him in my top 10, maybe top 20.

6. Nicklas Lidström, Detroit (4)
The best defenseman ever, should be in the top 5, most scored points by a D-man and second best +/-, the first European captain to lift the Stanley Cup. Sounds like a top 5 player to me. Weird that his rank is lower than last year's.

7. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver (3)
In my mind the best goalie in the league, hard to compare goalie with outfield, but sure he's a top 10 player. Funny that he wasn't nominated for the Vezina, but here he's the highest ranked goalie.

8. Jarome Iginla, Calgary (6)
A real leader, who if he had managed to take his team to a Stanley Cup-final would have been a top 3 for me. He finished third in scoring and does a great defensive work for his Flames.

9. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh (44)
What a leap! 35 places and yet with a better play off maybe he should have been higher up, he carried the Pens when Crosby was out injured and finished second in scoring behind fellow countryman Oveckhin. With better defensive work a top 3, but for now a solid 7-8 for me.

10. Dany Heatley, Ottawa (9)
His stock should have fallen much more than this, Ottawa had a terrible season and lost 0-4 in the playoff vs the Penguins. Heatley is a leader ana he didn't lead during the last season, he did however impress in the WC, but for me no more than top 20.

11. Chris Pronger, Anaheim (5)
Overrated the crowd usually scream when LeBron James shoots free throws, I'll shut it every time Pronger has the puck. Maybe he was one of the best D-man when they allowed hookings and holdings but now, not by far a top 5 D-man for me. He's ok in power play, but for every goal he creates, he's also responsible for with his many penalties. The guy has -1 in +/- compared to fellow Duck D-man Mathieu Schneider's +22. OVERRATED!!!

12. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa (21)
This guy improves his rank, unbelievable, ok so he finished ninth in points, (only played 70 games, ok that's impressive) but he didn't lead his team the way he did the previous seasons and should go the same way as Heatley, down the list. Top 20, no more.

13. Marian Gaborik, Minnesota (16)
This guy should be higher, playing in the most defensive team in the league and still managed to come12th in scoring says a lot. Might be the fastest skater in the NHL and he keeps on improving his defensive skills.

14. Henrik Lundqvist, N Y Rangers (43)
To big of a jump for this guy, great goalie, might be the most persistence goaltender in the whole league. Absolutely top 25, but 29 spots in one year is a little much.

15. Brenden Morrow, Dallas
Might not be number 15 ranked in skills, but he is top 3 in leading his team, taking after superstar Mike Modano and father-in-law Guy Carbonneau (Montreal Canadiens' coach). Almost theStars to the Stanley Cup-finals, but Detroit became to tough for the Texas-team. A great center, whom does his work in the offense as well in defense. +22 and 74 points, solid season.

16. Evgeni Nabokov, San José
Straight from the street to number 16, a tad to much. My pick for the Vezina, but came in third behind Martin and King Henrik.

17. Marian Hossa, Detroit (19)
Should be higher, was a force in the playoff and is in my top 10. Fast, great puck-handler and one of the deadliest wrist-shots in the league.

18. Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta (48)
Playing in one of the worst team in the league it's some impressive numbers this one-man team shows. Being the player that overall has scored the most goals during the five last years. In my top 10.

19. Eric Staal, Carolina (18)
Down boy, down, once again a leader that didn't lead, had -2 not good, 82 points is a solid score for one of the best power-forwards in the league. But not in my top 20.

20. Zdeno Chara, Boston (39)
The biggest hockeyplayer in the world took the Bruins to the playoff, needs a little help from someone else then Marc Savard to make this a really good team. But Chara's Bruins do have potential, need I say more than Phil Kessel.

21. Joe Thornton, San José (8)
22. Dion Phaneuf, Calgary (17)
23. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey (10)
24. J-S Giguere, Anaheim (33)
25. Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay (15)
26. Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim
27. Brian Rafalski, Detroit
28. Sergei Gonchar, Pittsburgh (42)
29. Marty Turco, Dallas (23)
30. Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim
31. Andrei Markov, Montréal
32. Zach Parise, New Jersey (45)
33. Ales Hemsky. Edmonton
34. Jason Spezza, Ottawa (24)
35. Vesa Toskala, Toronto
36. Rick Nash, Columbus (37)
37. Joe Sakic, Colorado (12)
38. Scott Gomez, New York Rangers (41)
39. Ryan Miller, Buffalo (20)
40. Jonathan Toews, Chicago
41. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver (32)
42. Daniel Briere, Philadelphia (27)
43. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles
44. Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary (13)
45. Paul Stastny, Colorado
46. Shane Doan, Phoenix
47. Derek Roy, Buffalo
48. Marc Savard, Boston
49. Mike Richards, Philadelphia
50. Patrick Kane, Chicago

Here are a few players that I think should have been on the list:

* Alexei Kovalev, Montreal
The most talented player in the world (along with Datsyuk). Kovalev made a real comeback during the last season and made the Canadiens' power play great. The guy with the magic wand also finished 11th in points and had for him impressive +18, somebody said top 15?

* Mats Sundin,Toronto
Had his best season in 10 years, showed loyalty not leaving before trading deadline, great player, great guy.

* Mike Ribeiro, Dallas
One of the best passers in the league, really has improved a lot since he left his home city of Montreal. 83 points and +21.

* Jaromir Jagr, New York
Was incredible in the playoff and carried the Rangers, can't understand why Gomez gets on the list but they leave Jagr off.

* Niklas Kronwall, Detroit
Got his big big break during the playoff, but has in my eyes been a top 10 defensman in three years now. As I said he took the next step in the playoff and I would've put him on the list. A coming Norris Trophy nominee.

A few maybes: Brian Campbell, Olli Jokinen, Saku Koivu, Milan Hejduk, Mike Green, Kimmo Timonen, Henrik Sedin (if you have Daniel why don't have the other), Johan Franzen, Peter Mueller, Simon Gagne.

Next season's biggest prospects:

* Sam Gagner, Edmonton
Lead the team with an iron fist during his first year in the league and should have gotten a Calder Trophy nomination instead of Bäckström. Will fore-sure be on this list next year. Minus 21 is a little much though.

* Patrick Kane, Chicago
Already on the list but at number 50, think he will be in the top 15 next season and he should've been in the top 25 this year. Won the Calder Trophy and was at times incredible in the Blackhawks, remember he's only 20-year old. Could perhaps lead his team 'til a playoff-spot.

BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS I WILL RANK THE 30 TEAMS, SO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN.

Remember to check out sportal.se

/Mr X