August typically is the slowest news month for the NHL because free agent and trade rumors slow down and training camps still are a few weeks away.
It’s also a time when a lot of lists are done, including ones that rank the best players in the league. “The Hockey News” magazine recently revealed its annual list of the top 50 NHL players as part of its new yearbook, and one Boston Bruins player made the top 20: Patrice Bergeron.
Here’s a screenshot of that group, from Swiss Habs.
These types of lists always are very subjective and tough to make, but Bergeron should be higher in this ranking. There’s no question about it.
The veteran center is the best two-way forward in the league, and he has been for the last several years as the winner of three of the last four Frank J. Selke trophies. He also provides consistent scoring production and is the best puck-possession forward in the league. Just look at his “HERO” chart from 2013 trough 2015, via Own the Puck:
Bruins head coach Claude Julien said in April that Bergeron is “what every coach dreams of being able to coach,” and it’s easy to see why while watching him play in every possible situation that could unfold over the course of an NHL game.
H/T to Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
