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Today I'd like to ask the question, who is the NHL's best power forward?

David Backes
Backes may be the NHL's best all-around player. He hits, he fights, he scores, he checks, and he leads his team. I can't think of anything that a hockey player should do, that Backes doesn't do. At 6"3, 225, Backes is an intimidating player to line up against on the ice and is one of the NHL's premier power forwards.

Gabriel Landeskog
The reigning Calder Trophy winner may be a bit of a shocker to some people to be on this list but Landeskog does pretty much everything that I expect out of a power forward except fight. Landeskog can deliver some bone jarring hits on the forecheck and is one of the best backcheckers in the NHL. With 219 hits, and 22 goals this past season, Landeskog has put people on notice that he is an elite power forward.

Alex Ovechkin
While Ovie had a bit of an off year by his standards, he still posted 38 goals and 215 hits. Oveckin to me is the most physically imposing forward in the game. When he wants to hit you, he will knock you into next week. When you combine his insane athletic ability, with his 6"3, 230 pound frame, you get maybe the best athlete in the NHL and a true power forward.

Milan Lucic
Likely the most controversial player of this list, but what would a power forward be without a bit of that. Lucic is maybe the best pure fighter in the NHL and he can score to. He's had back-to-back 25+ goal years and has been amongst the NHL's hit leaders to. He is one nasty player to line up against and he knows it.

Scott Hartnell
One of the most consistent players on this list, Hartnell has scored 20+ goals for six of his last seven years. Always a gritty, in your face, take no crap type of player, Hartnell broke through this year and posted 37 goals. Because of his career year, Hartnell should now be considered as one of the best power forwards in the NHL.


Jarome Iginla
No power forward list would be complete without Iggy. The man has scored 30 or more goals for 11 straight years, is a sure fire Hall of Famer and has played the game the way it should be played. While he doesn't fight as much as he used to, when he does, it's going to be a good one. The guy can flat out give and take a punch as well and any. With nearly 1200 games, over 500 goals, and 809 penalty minutes, Iggy is not only still one of best current power forwards, he is one of the best of all time.



My vote goes to David Backes because the guy can flat out do it all. He is one tough SOB and out of all the players listed, he recorded more hits than any of them.

If you do vote Other, Pleae swing by the comments page and let me know who.

That's a wrap.

Ian



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