By the Numbers: NHL Edition (50-59)
We’re moving on to the 50s. The golden range of numbers. Well. not really, but there are some good players that are in this range. I have declared the top 49 in player by their number and we’re heading into the second half of the league. The first half of numbers was obviously the majority of the league, but these next few articles will be interesting enough. You still have some generational great talent in the second half. There will be some tough choices to make and I’m interested to see how this plays out. Let’s get it started. On to the 50s.
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Number 50: D, Sean Durzi, Los Angeles Kings
No debate here. Sean Durzi is only 24 years old and it appears that he may be the best 50 for quite a while. He is in his second season in the NHL and already is having the best year of his career. Things will only go up from here for Durzi.
Number 51: D, Troy Stecher, Arizona Coyotes
Number 51 isn't exactly the cream of the crop, so I think Troy Stecher is the pick. It was down to Stecher or Radim Simek for me. Unless you are fans of the Sharks or Coyotes or possible the Canucks, then you probably don’t even know who these players are.
nhl.com
Number 52: D MacKenzie Weegar, Calgary Flames
There were some good choices here at 52. Even though the Flames and Weegar aren't exactly playing up to their full potential, I still say he is the best at this number. I almost went with Hurricanes prospect goalie Pyotr Kochetkov. While Frederik Andersen was injured for a couple of months, Kochetkov was nearly unstoppable in the net. They called him back down to the AHL, but expect him to be the Hurricanes next starting goalie within the next year or so.
Number 53: C, Bo Horvat, Vancouver Canucks
Surprisingly enough, the number 53 is stout in the NHL. If you’re a die hard NHL guy, then you know that Bo Hornet is no longer with the Canucks and he’s no longer number 53. Those are true, but when I wrote this out, he was 53, so he stays. You also have Moritz Seider and Jeff Skinner donning the number 53, but i’ll give the edge to Horvat with his former team number. Wyatt Johnston is a guy that could be the top 53 pretty soon as well.
NHL.com
Number 54: D, Jordan Harris, Montreal Canadiens
This was difficult. There aren't really any standout options here, but Harris seems to be the guy here. I don’t have much to say though. He’s a defenseman that averages about 18 minutes of ice time.
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Number 55: C, Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
Scheifele beats out a good list of defensemen for the best 55 in the league. Noah Hanifin, Mark Giordano, Colton Parayko, and Ryan Lindgren all wear the same number, so it was a hard choice. Scheifele has played all of his 12 seasons with the Jets and has been a prolific passer, but it appears that he will break his season goals record pretty soon. He needs only 32 to surpass his personal best and will tie that mark with only 3 goals. Look out for David Jiricek in the future.
Number 56: D, Erik Gustafsson, Washington Capitals
Gustafsson stands out above the rest here. Erik Haula is another possibility, but he isn't having as good of a year in comparison and other than that, Kailer Yamamoto was really the only other option and he’s having a bad year.
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Number 57: RW/LW, David Perron, Detroit Red Wings
You have some decent options at 57 like, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Wade Allison, and Tyler Myers, but Perron seems to stand above the rest. Also, in that discussion, you could add Shane Pinto with the Ottawa Senators. He looks like he’ll be in the discussion for years to come.
NHL.com
Number 58: D, Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
The 35-year old defenseman ranks higher than the rest here. David Savard and Michael Bunting are also in this discussion, but I will give the slight edge to Letang. Oliver Kylington appeared to be in the discussion but has missed the entire season this year. Maybe he will enter the discussion next season for the Flames.
nhl.com
Number 59: D, Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
No debate here. Josi is one of the league’s best players and stands practically alone in the best 59 debate. Jake Guentzel is worthy of being brought up, but he’s not in the discussion. Calen Addison for the Wild is doing quite a bit in limited time, but again, this is not a debate. Josi is the best 59 in the league, no doubt about it.
Yacs
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