Best Hockey Players Of The 2000s
Over the years, the NHL has seen some incredible talent, but the 2000s were a particularly exciting era for hockey. From Sidney Crosby to Jaromir Jagr, these players dominated the ice with their skill, dedication, and sheer talent. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the top 10 best hockey players of the 2000s.
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL. He was drafted first overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins and quickly became one of the top players in the league. Throughout the 2000s, Crosby was consistently among the NHL's top scorers and was a key player in the Penguins' Stanley Cup wins in 2009 and 2016.
Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr is a retired Czech professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL for over 24 seasons. He was one of the most skilled players of his era and was known for his incredible stickhandling and scoring ability. Throughout the 2000s, Jagr played for a number of NHL teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL. He was drafted first overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins and quickly established himself as one of the league's top centers. Throughout the 2000s, Thornton was a consistent scorer and was a key player in the Sharks' Stanley Cup run in 2016.
Nicklas Lidstrom
Nicklas Lidstrom is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. He was one of the most skilled and respected defensemen of his era and was known for his smooth skating and quick decision making. Throughout the 2000s, Lidstrom continued to dominate on the ice and was a key player in the Red Wings' Stanley Cup wins in 2002 and 2008.
Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. He was one of the most dominant goaltenders of his era and was known for his incredible reflexes and incredible consistency. Throughout the 2000s, Brodeur continued to be a force to be reckoned with, leading the Devils to the Stanley Cup in 2000 and 2003.
Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Datsyuk is a retired Russian professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. He was one of the most skilled players of his era and was known for his incredible stickhandling and playmaking ability. Throughout the 2000s, Datsyuk was a key player in the Red Wings' success, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008.
Eric Staal
Eric Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL. He was drafted second overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes and quickly established himself as one of the league's top centers. Throughout the 2000s, Staal was a key player for the Hurricanes, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2006.
Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Washington Capitals in the NHL. He was drafted first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Capitals and quickly became one of the most dominant players in the league. Throughout the 2000s, Ovechkin was a consistent scorer and was a key player in the Capitals' Stanley Cup win in 2018.
Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player who played for the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL. He was one of the most skilled players of his era and was known for his incredible playmaking ability and vision on the ice. Throughout the 2000s, Sedin was a consistent scorer and was a key player in the Canucks' success, leading them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011.
Daniel Sedin
Daniel Sedin is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player who played for the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL. He was one of the most skilled players of his era and was known for his incredible scoring ability and precision on the ice. Throughout the 2000s, Sedin was a consistent scorer and was a key player in the Canucks' success, leading them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011.
These 10 players were some of the most talented and skilled athletes to play in the NHL during the 2000s. Their dedication and commitment to the game of hockey helped to define the era and set the standard for future generations of players. While they may have retired or moved on to other teams, their legacy will continue to inspire hockey fans for years to come.