Read Bleacher Fan’s argument that Sidney Crosby is the best player under 25 and Sports Geek’s argument that Alex Ovechkin is the best player under 25.
It was a decent weekend with some good football and baseball games. But today, in lieu of our usual recap of the weekend football games, The Sports Debates is going to do something a little different. We like to try to cover all sports from various angles. We have yet to do anything on hockey, and I know there are some hockey fans amongst out readership. Today is a good day to discuss hockey. We are going to debate who we think is the best hockey player under the age of 25 in the National Hockey League. Being from the south, hockey just is not a big deal down here. But, from what I have watched and read, it is obvious to me that Evgeni Malkin is the best player in the league under the age of 25.
Malkin, who just turned 23 a little over two months ago, plays center for the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. It should be noted that he is also left-handed. And he does get extra points for having a very hot girlfriend, right?
Malkin made his NHL debut three years ago, though it was actually delayed nearly a month after being injured in a preseason game in a run-in with teammate John LeClair. However, that injury, which ended up being a dislocated shoulder (ouch!), did not stop him from scoring at least one goal in his first six regular season games, which is a modern day record. He went on to score 33 goals and 85 points in his shortened rookie year, but still was able to win the Calder Trophy, which is awarded to the league’s top rookie. Folks, he has not slowed down since.
He definitely did not experience a sophomore slump, as he totaled 106 points in helping lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in six games.
This past season, his third, was his greatest season. Individually, he scored 113 points, which was enough to capture the Art Ross Trophy, given annually to the player with the most points. After coming up just short in the Finals the previous season the Penguins were able to get over that hump and defeat the Red Wings in a classic seven game series to win the Stanley Cup. Malkin was named playoff MVP, and deservedly so after scoring 36 points throughout the playoffs.
He is off to a good start this year also, as through Sunday’s he has seven points in five games.
Looking at the numbers, it is hard to argue against Malkin. To the rest of the NHL… look out! The kid is only 23 years old! I would say the Penguins, who also have another young star in Sidney Crosby, are well set for the next several years.
[...] The NHL’s Best Under 25 Debate – Malkin Leads the NHL into the Next Decade The Sports Debates© – PeopleRank: 12 – October 12, 2009 …Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in six games. This past season, his third, was his greatest season. Individually, he scored 113 points, which was enough to capture the Art Ross Trophy, given annually to the player with the… Cited people : Sidney Crosby Evgeni Malkin Alex Ovechkin Calder Trophy John LeClair 2 other articles » + vote [...]