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Who do you think has been the best player in the NHL this season?
(Answer could not be a player from their own team)
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Markus Naslund
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12 (40 percent)
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Peter Forsberg
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7 (23 percent)
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Martin Brodeur
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3 (10 percent)
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Mario Lemieux
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2 (7 percent))
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Mike Modano
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2 (7 percent)
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Joe Thorntion
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2 (7 percent)
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Todd Bertuzzi
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1 (3 percent)
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Alexei Kovalev
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1 (3 percent)
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Anaheim: Anonymous - Markus Naslund
Atlanta: Dany Heatley - Markus Naslund
"I'd have to say Naslund or Bertuzzi. Probably Naslund. What those two guys have meant to that team, taking them on their back and they're close to a first-place team. Not just the points but the ability to take their team to the top of the league. Naslund is so smart with the puck. He's got good hands and he can skate and has good vision, but he's so smart. Those two guys know each other so well and Bertuzzi plays his power game so well. It's tough to stop either one."
Boston: Dan McGillis - Peter Forsberg
"Obviously Forsberg hasn't played all the games but since he's been back, he's certainly lifted his team up.''
Buffalo: Curtis Brown - Markus Naslund
"The most dynamic guy I've seen is Markus Naslund. Teams all over know him. He's like a lot of superstars. You can say, "We've gotta shut this guy down' but he still does what he does. Focus on him or not, he still doing the same thing. The other guys you can at least slow down a little bit. He has great players around him, but he's the one guy that's been go, go, go from the beginning."
Calgary: Anonymous - Mario Lemieux
"Because of the fact that he's hung in at the top of the scoring race, despite his injuries and Kovalev's absence."
Carolina: Erik Cole - Markus Naslund
Chicago: Anonymous - Markus Naslund
"He's been more consistent, I think. Forsberg had a slow start."
Colorado: Anonymous - Joe Thornton
Columbus: Anonumous - Peter Forsberg
I don't care what Naslund's numbers are, if Forsberg's playing, he's the best player in the game.''
Dallas: Richard Matvichuk - Peter Forsberg
Detroit: Anonymous - Martin Brodeur
Edmonton: Anonymous - Markus Naslund
"His line has been the only line that hasn't had a letdown all year."
Florida: Marcus Nilson - Peter Forsberg
"The games that I watch, he really dominates. He makes everybody around him a lot better. HE can do everything, too. He can go around you, through you. I think he's the most dominating player."
Los Angeles: Anonymous - Markus Naslund
Minnesota: Anonymous - Mike Modano
"Dallas is leading the whole league, and he's the big reason. He's a great two-way player. He's been consistent all year. And he makes the other players around him better, which is what all great players do."
Montreal: Anonymous - Markus Naslund
Nashville: Anonymous - Mario Lemieux
"He's still leading the league in scoring and he's probably played at least 10 less games than everyone else. Plus, he's done it lately with not a lot of talent around him. If you're looking for the best player right now, you have to look at him.² ‹ center Rem Murray, who played 32 games with the Eastern Conference's New York Rangers before he joined the Western Conference's Predators.
New Jersey: John Madden - Alexei Kovalev
"I find it hard to play against him."
N.Y. Islanders: Anonymous - Peter Forsberg
N.Y. Rangers: Anonymous - Martin Brodeur
Ottawa: Anonymous - Markus Naslund
Philadelphia: Mark Recchi - Mike Modano
"He's been the best two-way player."
Phoenix: Shane Doan - Todd Bertuzzi
"He does it all and is different than almost anybody else in the league in the way he does it. He's fun to watch.''
Pittsburgh: Rico Fata - Peter Forsberg
"Peter Forsberg, by far. He does it all. He hits, scores, passes and controls the play. I'd like to try to do some of the same things he does.²
St. Louis: Anonymous - Joe Thornton
"He's so dominant every time he steps on the ice physically and he's able to create from that."
San Jose: Vincent Damphousse - Markus Naslund
Tampa Bay: Anonymous - Markus Naslund
Toronto: Anonymous - Markus Naslund
Vancouver: Brendan Morrison - Peter Forsberg
Washington: Anonymous - Martin Brodeur
Material from The Hockey News.
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