By the Numbers: NHL Edition (80-89)
We’re nearing the end of the list and it feels good to be able to go through the whole league and pick the best players. I can say that I have learned quite a bit more and I’m getting familiarized with some of the league’s best players. 80s and 90s will have some of the league’s top NHL stars contained in it, so stay tuned to see who the next couple of articles will contain.
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Number 80: C, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Winnipeg Jets
Dubois is one of the league’s best young talents and is the best 80 in the NHL. He consistently hovers around the 60-point range and will likely best his career highs at the end of the season if he remains healthy. It also helps that the Jets are performing pretty well this season. Daniel Vladar would’ve been my next best option and it looks like he may be the main starting goalie pretty soon for the Flames.
Number 81: LW, Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
We have back-to-back Jets players here and for number 81, we have the top Jets scorer. Kyle Connor is coming off of the high of his best season and it looks like he could potentially match his numbers. At least it appears that he is on pace to. Other options are Jonathan Marchessault and Dominik Kubalik.
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Number 82: C, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina Hurricanes
Not much debate with this one. Kotkaniemi isn't one of the more prolific scorers in the NHL, but he gets the job done on a very talented Hurricanes team. He is only 22 years old, so he only will only get better.
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Number 83: LW/RW, Matthew Nieto, Colorado Avalanche
Nieto is the only active player that wears the 83, so there are no other eligible. Nieto has been with San Jose and Colorado this season and has amassed 17 points as of today.
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Number 84: RW/LW, Tanner Jeannot, Nashville Predators
Back-to-back lone jersey wearers here. Jeannot is the only NHL skater with the number 84 on his back, so that makes him the best player in the league wearing the jersey. 14 points so far this season for the 25-year old. He also likes to throw hands when the chance arises. Gotta love that, unless you’re on the other end of it.
Number 85: D, Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
The average age of the 85 wearers is 21 years old. So, it is safe to say that it is a prospect heavy number. Sanderson has been a very good addition to the Senators defense, but he is injured at the moment. I think he’ll be the top 85 for a while, unless he switches numbers.
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Number 86: RW, Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
The choice was between Kucherov and Jack Hughes and the Tampa Bay Lightning winger gets the edge for the moment. Kucherov has been one of those vital parts of Tampa’s success over the last few years and will continue to play a big part in the team moving forward. Hughes is well on his way though. He has a very bright future with the Devils.
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Number 87: C, Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Crosby is a generational great talent and players like him do not come around very often. Even at 35 years old, he produces among the league’s best. Without a doubt, he will be in the Hall of Fame when he decides to hang up the skates.
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Number 88: C, William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
Very tough choice here. You have Patrick Kane, Andrew Mangiapane, Martin Necas, Nylander, David Pastrnak, and Andrei Vasilevskiy all wearing the same number. If you have all of those guys on the same team, they would be Stanley Cup favorites. Other than Kane, all of these players are on their way up. Most of them are around the age of 25 or 26 and have a full career of good hockey left in them. The best guy wearing 88 will likely switch around a few times, but I’ll give the edge to Nylander for the time being.
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Number 89: RW/LW, Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres
The final number of the article and there really isn't any doubt with this one. Tuch leads the pack this season in points and Pavel Buchnevich was really the only other option to go with. The Sabres are on their way up on Tuch is helping with that.
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