Best/Worst: Captains in the Metro Division
OK, so not as easy on the ears as CAPTAINS OF THE ATLANTIC. Ahoy there matie....but just think, eventually we will get to the Pacific, and that's even better. Here is a list of the best and worst (and everything in between) captains of the Metropolitan Division.
The Best: John Tavares of the New York Islanders
Sidney Crosby has so many luxuries that John Tavares never has and seemingly never will. Crosby has a team with a wealth of talent, 3 Stanley Cups, stable ownership and a real future. That's not to take anything away from him as a leader. He is as good as they come, but Pittsburgh makes it too easy for him.
Amid the complete shit show that is the New York Islanders, John Tavares has stayed put, and been a good soldier. Some speculate that he is the reason that the organization even exists at this point in time. Without Tavares, the Islanders top player is...Matthew Barzal? maybe... Bailey and Lee are Tavares' linemates so God knows what they'd be without him.
Tavares is the best.
Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins
He has 3 cups, and is in the argument of greatest players to ever live. Yeah, that's enough said.
Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes
Staal technically shares the C with Justin Falk, but I want to talk about Staal.
For years he played 3rd fiddle to the 2 best centres in the league (Sidney Crosby and not top 100 player Evgeni Malkin). Understandably, his play was never talk of the town, in my mind he is an amazing player.
Right now, Staal has a respectable 16 points in 22 games, but his CF% is 54.4 and FF% is 53. These numbers definitely aren't all-world, but taking in to consideration his 53% defensive zone starts (second only to Marcus Kruger - who is having a very good quiet year) makes it a bit more impressive.
The Worst: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals
Ovie is one of the greatest players to ever live. As impressive as they come and a first ballot hall of famer. He is a great leader by example on the ice and I bet he is a locker room presence too.He loves Putin though. That's bad.
Other Notes:
I've never been a believer in Nick Foligno and his 10 points, 50.1 CF% and offensive zone starts only further that belief. Amazing that a captain on a Torts led team isn't stuck blocking shots in his own end all game.
Ryan McDonagh could've very well been on the Best list, just for having dragged Girardi around the ice for the past 3 years, but now that his anchor is gone, I don't feel as bad for him.
Who is Andy Greene? (Note: I looked his numbers up, he is over 35, his career high in points is 37 and is CF% is 42.5)
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