Patrice Bergeron Among Five Bruins Ranked In TSN’s Top 50 NHL Players

TSN has unveiled its annual list of the top 50 players in the NHL, and five Boston Bruins made the cut.

No. 13: Patrice Bergeron, Center
No. 23: Zdeno Chara, Defenseman
No. 30: Tuukka Rask, Goaltender
No. 33: David Krejci, Center
No. 48: Milan Lucic, Left Wing

Some observations from TSN’s rankings, which are compiled through balloting by the network’s experts, as well as select NHL general managers and coaches:

• Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane is way too low at No. 10. He’s a top-five player, especially when you factor in his postseason brilliance.
• Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews should be in the top spot. He’s a consistent winner and a better all-around player than No. 1-ranked Sidney Crosby.
• Rask arguably is the best goalie in the world, which makes his No. 30 ranking a bit surprising. He was recently voted as the top franchise goaltender by a group of NHL superstars. TSN has him ranked fourth among goaltenders.
• Bergeron should not be ranked lower than Alex Ovechkin, John Tavares and Claude Giroux. The reigning Selke Trophy winner is a better defensive player and ranked as the top puck-possession forward while also tallying 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists).
• Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is the highest-ranked sophomore at No. 34. The reigning Calder Trophy winner is ahead of established stars such as Phil Kessel, Logan Couture and Marian Hossa despite having only one season of pro experience.
• Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen’s No. 40 ranking is a bit generous considering he has produced only one quality season at the NHL level. He’s currently unsigned as a restricted free agent.
• Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson being ranked ahead of better blueliners such as Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan McDonagh and Chara is baffling. Karlsson’s defensive game isn’t anywhere close to the three D-men mentioned above.
• It’s nice to see Jamie Benn in the top 15. The Dallas Stars captain is the best left winger in the league and entering the prime of his career.

Click here to view TSN’s Top 50 list >>

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