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A good left wing is hard to find.
For whatever reason, it seems many skilled lefties prefer to play on the off-wing side. You know, guys like Jaromir Jagr, Pavel Bure and Todd Bertuzzi. They're all lefty shots playing the right wing.
Personally, I'd love to see three of my favorite left wings -- Bobby Hull, Bob Gainey and John Tonelli -- playing in today's game. These guys could get it done in any era.
Here's a look a three more pretty good left wingers and what they'll be doing this NHL weekend.
|  | | Naslund |
Canucks left wing Markus Naslund, 29, is probably the best player you never hear about. The guy has amazing skills. His shot is so accurate, he could probably hit a dime hanging off the crossbar from the other end of the rink. Entering Saturday's game at Edmonton, Naslund leads the Canucks with 16 goals and 32 points. Through 29 games, he's on pace for his third consecutive 40-goal season. In a great deal, the Canucks acquired Naslund from the Penguins for Alex Stojanov (who?) on March 20, 1996. No doubt, Pens GM Craig Patrick would like a mulligan on that trade.
|  | | Elias |
Devils left wing Patrik Elias, who has played some center this season, is off to a slow start. In the club's first 27 games, Elias has just six goals and 14 points. That might explain why we've heard his name tossed into some recent trade rumors involving the Devs and Avalanche. Unless top Devil Lou Lamoriello can get either Joe Sakic or Peter Forsberg in return, he'd be wise to hang on to Elias. The 26-year-old Czech sniper can be a little flaky, but he's a natural left wing with excellent speed and skill. He might benefit from some extended playing time with playmaking center Scott Gomez, who has been moved the wing on several occasions during this season. On Saturday, Elias will try to find his high-scoring form in Ottawa.
|  | | Daze |
For the past few years, Eric Daze's name has been mentioned in trade talk. Luckily, the Hawks were smart enough to keep rangy left winger. At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, Daze is a unique package of size and skill. When he drives down the wing with the puck on his forehand, it's almost impossible for a defensemen to stop him from getting off a shot. One of the few players who still uses a wood stick, Daze loves to blast the puck off the rush. The 27-year-old Daze, still finding his game after preseason back surgery, recorded his fifth career hat trick with three identical shots (slappers from the top of the left wing circle) in the Hawks' 4-3 win over the Rangers on Wednesday. Fans can get a good look at Daze when the Hawks host the Stars on Sunday night. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
See you Monday.
E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.
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