My Top 25 NHL Wingers

If I thought cutting the ranking of centres down to the top 15 was tough, the wingers looks to be a much more daunting task.  For the sake of clarity, I will not distinguish between left and right wingers.

Jun 22, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) works with the puck as Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) looks on during the first period in game five of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the best wingers in the league, according to me…

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Like I did with the centres, I will throw a few names out who didn’t quite make my list:  Marian Gaborik, Chris Stewart, Alexander Semin and Gabriel Landeskog  are all on the brink of the list, but for one reason or another weren’t in my top 25.

April 21 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) during the game against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Now on with the list.

25.  Joffrey Lupul

May 13, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Joffrey Lupul (19) skates with the puck in the offensive zone during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

If he didn’t miss so much of the season with injuries, Lupul would be ranked a lot higher.  He does a little bit of everything and is a key piece of the Maple Leafs, who with a full season from Lupul should make the playoffs again this year.

24. Justin Williams

Jun 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Justin Williams (14) skates with the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Williams doesn’t really do anything spectacularly, but he simply gets the job done.  The whole is greater than the sum of the parts with Williams, and he is a key component of the Kings team.

23.  Jakub Voracek

Apr 25, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) skates against the New York Islanders during the third period at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Islanders, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Voracek enjoyed a breakout season, netting just under a point per game and at certain points of the year, was the best player on the ice in the league.  A repeat of that performance over a full season will have him climbing up the ranks.

22. Brad Marchand

Jun 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) carries the puck away from Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) during the first period in game four of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Still not sure what the ceiling is on Marchand.  Extremely difficult to play against and often gets under the skin of opponents.  Good at toeing the ling without crossing it, and showed some extra offensive punch last season.

21.  Loui Eriksson

Mar 29, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing

(21) waits for the face-off in the Minnesota Wild zone during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Wild 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Eriksson might be one of the best kept secrets in the league, having played in relative anonymity in Dallas.  He will find the spotlight now as he moves to Boston to become a key piece of their puzzle.

20.  James Neal

June 5, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing

(18) shoots the puck during the second period in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

After back-to-back seasons where he scored at a 40-goal pace, Neal is becoming one of the tougher wingers to contain.  However, the space on the ice opened up by Evgeni Malkin doesn’t hurt his ability to get into the open spots.

19.  Milan Lucic

Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing

(17) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period in game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

An uneven season was followed by a dominant post-season in which Lucic became one of the most feared players in the game.  His combination of physicality and mean streak make him one of the toughest players in the league to match up against.

18.  Andrew Ladd

Apr 22, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Winnipeg Jets left wing

(16) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. The Jets beat the Sabres 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Winnipeg’s captain has developed into one of the better all-around wingers in the league, playing a hard-nosed game and becoming recognized as one of the top leaders in the game.

17.  Dustin Brown

June 6, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing

(23) hits Chicago Blackhawks defenseman

(27) during the third period in game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings’ captain is equal part talent and equal part guts.  He is one of those guys that you simply want to have on your team, whatever type of team you have.

16.  Ryan Callahan

May 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalkeeper

(40) looks from behind New York Rangers forward

(24) during a Rangers power play in the second period of game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

Callahan is a consummate leader and one of the grittiest players in the league.  He would give his left arm to make a play and is one of the top heart and soul players in the league, not to mention one of the more talented.

15.  Jordan Eberle

Mar 26, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Edmonton Oilers center

(14) takes a shot as St. Louis Blues right wing

(91) pressures during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Oilers defeated the Blues 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Eberle suffered a bit of a setback in his third season, while Hall blossomed. Eberle has the penchant for making big plays at big moments, and I would expect a big rebound year from him.

14. Evander Kane

Apr 25, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward

(9) during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the MTS Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Few wingers possess Kane’s speed, power and shot in the same package.  More consistency and improvement in his overall game will result in a more polished player.

13.  Taylor Hall

Apr 26, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward

(4) scores a goal during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Hall still has room to grow his game, and considering he finished 9th in league scoring, that says a lot.  Should be a top 10 by the end of the season.

12.  Rick Nash

May 21, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Boston Bruins center

(23) charges New York Rangers left wing

(61) during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Nash’s first year on Broadway didn’t live up to expectations, and hopefully for his sake, getting away from John Tortorella will get him back to the dominant force he can and should be.

11.  Bobby Ryan

May 6, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing

(9) skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Four 30 goal seasons is pretty impressive, and this season will determine if he was stuck in the shadow of Corey Perry or if he did it in spite of Perry.  Should get a look of good looks riding shotgun with Jason Spezza.

10.  Daniel Sedin

May 7, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Vancouver Canucks left wing

(22) controls the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Like I said when I ranked the centres, it would be interesting to see just how the Sedins would work if they were separated for an extended period of time. Sedin is super-talented and one of the top wingers in the league no matter who he plays with.

9. Phil Kessel

May 13, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing

(81) takes a shot on goal during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Kessel finished in the top 10 in scoring and was a big reason for the Leafs’ return to the postseason.  He has developed into a solid all-around player, but his goal-scoring will always be his best asset.

7.  Thomas Vanek

Apr 26, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing

(26) during the game against the New York Islanders at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Islanders 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Vanek didn’t have much to work with in Buffalo last season, yet still finished over a point per game, and in the top 30 in scoring despite missing 10 games, a feat that only Sidney Crosby also accomplished.

6.  Zach Parise

Apr 21, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward

(11) looks on during the third period against the Calgary Flames at the Xcel Energy Center. The Flames defeated the Wild 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The pressure of the big contract might have gotten to him a little bit in Minnesota, but Parise is still a dominant power forward who will find his groove in his home state.

5.  Jeff Carter

May 16, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center

(77) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period during game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the San Jose Sharks at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The center-turned winger is blessed with great speed and a great release.  Carter is a dominant (albeit streaky) scorer who has made the transition to the boards pretty smoothly.

4.  Corey Perry

Apr 19, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks right wing

(10) tries to score against the Calgary Flames during the first period at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

A couple of years ago he would have been #1 on this list, but a couple of sub-standard years (for his track record) have dropped him down a bit.  He is still a dominant forward who you hate to play against, but another down year and he could slide out of the top ten or even further.

3.   Martin St. Louis

Apr 24, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing

(26) celebrates after scoring his second goal during the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Tampa Bay defeated Toronto 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis became the oldest player in NHL history to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s top scorer.  Even at 37 years of age, the mighty mouse is still productive and shows no signs of slowing down.

2.  Alex Ovechkin

May 10, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing

(8) skates with the puck during the game against the New York Rangers in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

After a slow start to the season, Ovechkin showed down the stretch that he is still capable of being a dominant force in the game, finishing 3rd in NHL scoring and winning the Hart Trophy and Maurice Richard Trophy.

1. Patrick Kane

Jun 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing

(88) skates with the puck against the Boston Bruins during the third period in game one of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Like him or not, it is hard to argue that he has some of the best hands and top notch skill in the game.  A Conn Smythe Trophy in 2013 and the Stanley Cup winner in 2011 are just the tip of the iceberg to his resume.