There aren't many stars on this horizon. With John LeClair aging worse than unrefrigerated tuna salad and Paul Kariya redefining the term "candyass", there are no dominating left wings in hockey. Left wing is the least-talented position in the NHL, and it's been that way for years. Finding a good left wing is like finding an honest mechanic. If you have one, you better keep him.

The left side is more open than Randy Moss at an intermural flag football game. There isn't much separating these guys. A case could be made for any of the top seven to be ranked No. 1. Feel free to mix and match.

Player Ratings The LCS Hockey Player Rating Extravaganza: Centers Left wings Right wings Defensemen Goaltenders

1. Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis Blues: Tkachuk is nowhere near as cool as he used to be in the Winnipeg days. When you're a Jet, you're a Jet. The move to Phoenix and the subsequent jump to St. Louis shed some light on Tkachuk the man, and sometimes that's not a good thing. He comes across as the frat boy's frat boy. As annoying as that can be, he's still the most complete left wing in the NHL.

Lighting the lamp has never been a problem for Tkachuk. A seven- time 30-goal scorer, he once deposited 142 in a three-year stretch from 1995-98. It's Tkachuk's combination of scoring and toughness that places him ahead of the port-side pack. He's a terror in front of the net. Welcome mats don't spend so much time on doorsteps. He's the best in the NHL at deflecting pucks. He's a lot like Ted Kennedy at an open bar; no shots get past without his taking a taste.

Tkachuk's power game is beyond reproach. He's tenacious along the wall and in the corners. He excels in tight quarters but has the speed to make plays in open ice. He's a punishing hitter and will drop the gloves with anyone.

An added bonus of Tkachuk's game is his ability to win draws. He's a capable faceoff man, a skill that came in handy last season with Pavol Demitra, a natural wing, centering his line.

The big question with Tkachuk has always been the intangibles. It's not that he doesn't play hard, it's just he may not always play for the right reasons. He's gotten the rap, deservedly or not, of being a selfish player. It's never too late to mend.

2. Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks: Back in the day, the big debate was who was the better prospect coming out of Sweden, Naslund or Peter Forsberg? It's ridiculous, I know, but keep in mind that NFL scouts once contended Ryan Leaf was as good as Peyton Manning. Now, that's not saying Naslund is Ryan Leaf by any stretch of the imagination. But comparisons to Forsberg are no less ludicrous. Let's start with the good stuff...

Naslund is a phenomenal talent and one of the premier skill guys in the NHL. There's nothing he can't do with the puck. A natural goal scorer, Naslund has put together back-to-back 40- goal seasons and established new career-highs last year in assists (50) and points (90). He doesn't just get fat on the power play, either. Of his 40 goals in 2001-02, 32 were scored at even-strength. And Naslund is slowly rounding into more of a two-way player. His +22 was a career best and marked the first time he finished as a plus-player since 1997-98 when he was a +5.

Never one to be confused with Maurice Richard, Naslund gets most of his goals from the outside courtesy of his shockingly accurate wrist shot. Why, he could hit my bank account at 50 paces. If the shot's not there, Naslund can use his magical hands to undress defenders and goaltenders alike with a dizzying array of dekes. He's pulled more strings than Jim Henson. Naslund likes his goals pretty. Any prettier and they'd be on the cover of FHM.

Unfortunately, not everything about Naslund's game is so attractive. Getting back to the Forsberg connection, all the things that make Petey so great -- intensity, toughness, power, courage, clutch scoring -- are missing in Naslund. If Markus has competitive fire, he sure does a hell of a job hiding it. Did he even show up at the Olympics? Ralph Ellison never imagined such an invisible man. And where was he against the Red Wings?

Naslund ranks second on the strength of his numbers alone. He's a pure scorer. But if he wants to elevate to the level of a guy like Forsberg, he has to get dirty, drive the net, start working the corners, and show up in the big games. Hey, speaking of one- dimensional scorers...

3. Paul Kariya, Anaheim Mighty Ducks: Kariya is like a smaller, faster, less-Swedish version of Naslund. He's wee tiny. He has to jump up and down at the grocery store just to get the doors to open. There is absolutely no physical element to Kariya's game whatsoever. He wouldn't hit water if he fell off a boat. When it comes to leadership, he's much more Jaromir Jagr than Mario Lemieux. And this little duckling doesn't like getting his feathers ruffled in the defensive zone. If they'd ever name a street after him in Anaheim it would have to be one-way.

In his first full season without Teemu Selanne, Kariya's numbers took a serious nosedive. His 32 goals, 25 assists, and 57 points were all career lows, provided one excludes his lockout-shortened rookie season and the Gary Suter-shortened 1997-98 campaign. Kariya also finished at a -15, one minus off Sammy Pahlsson's team-worst -16. It's worth noting that Selanne only had 54 points in San Jose without his pal Kariya. So I guess they have kind of a symbiotic relationship. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Kariya still has the goods on offense. He has to be considered among the league's elite in any skill category, whether it's speed, agility, passing, stickhandling, or shooting. He's a weapon. Which is why he should have scored more last season. I realize Kariya wasn't exactly surrounded by the supporting cast of "Cheers", but 57 points in 82 games? That's only nine more than runner-up Matt Cullen, and he played three fewer games than Kariya. Does anyone remember the good old days of the Quebec Nordiques? Joe Sakic used to get 100 points when no one else on the club broke 50. If Kariya didn't score, it was because he didn't want to score. He was fourth on the team in assists. Fourth!

Anaheim management tried to take away the lack of support excuse this summer by acquiring Adam Oates and Petr Sykora. Neither one is prime Finnish Flash, but they should join Kariya to comprise a potent scoring line. With Oates as his set-up man, 50 goals will be a distinct possibility.

4. Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils: Enron stock didn't fall as far as Elias did last season. After a breakthrough year in 2000-01, the Czech sniper's goal total dropped from 40 to 29, his points from 96 to 61, and his plus-minus plummeted from a league- leading +45 to a scant +4. Hard to get happy after that one.

Elias is a threat to score whenever he's on the ice. The best adjective to describe him is "sudden." He can strike from anywhere, streaking into the open and piping a quick wrister before the opposition even has a chance to react. This guy's deadly. Any more poisonous and the Devils would be obligated to put a Mr. Yuck sticker on his helmet.

The dip in production could be attributed to several factors. First, scoring was down all across the league. Unless your name was Iginla, chances are you struggled last year. Second, he was a little dinged up and missed seven games. Nagging injuries always put a kink in consistency. Lastly, Elias just didn't feel the need to dominate another season. He's generous like that.

It will be interesting to see if Elias can bounce back in 2002-03 now that New Jersey's once vaunted top line has been scattered far and wide. With Jason Arnott entrenched in Dallas and Sykora skating on the Pond in Anaheim, it's going to be up to Elias to carry the load up front for El Diablo. A return to 90 points seems unlikely. A safer bet would be like 75 or 77.

5. Brendan Shanahan, Detroit Red Wings: Who said Shanahan was all washed up? It was probably LCS. Shanny looked dead to the world back in 1997-98, scoring just 29 goals and 57 points. He looked old, slow, and ready for the scrap heap. Well, he still looks old and slow, but that scrap heap might have to wait a while. I hope Luc Robitaille doesn't get lonely.

Shanahan found a second wind somewhere. Detroit's favorite Irishman has put together four straight 30-goal seasons and three consecutive years with at least 75 points. In fact, Shanny's averaging 36 goals and 76 points during that three-year stretch.

No longer as fast or as strong as he used to be, Shanahan relies on his wits and guile to score goals. Of course, it doesn't hurt having the best one-timer in hockey. It's a pleasure watching Shanny ply his craft with the man-advantage. He's averaged 13 power-play goals in each of the past three seasons. His modus operandi seldom changes. He drifts into the left circle and plays a little catch with Nicklas Lidstrom to get the goaltender moving and then drops the hammer. He pulls the trigger faster than Dirty Harry. Not only is his shot bone-crushingly heavy, it's also laser accurate. You could count on one hand the number of times he misses the net in any given season.

Toughness remains a trademark of Shanahan's game. He's one of the few Red Wings that will actually take a crack in the mouth without crying or lifting up his skirt and running to the bench. A bulldog in front of the net, Shanny will still throw if the situation warrants. Only his old legs keep him from ranking higher up the list.

6. Martin Straka, Pittsburgh Penguins: It was hard to see Straka last season with that dark cloud hanging over his head. Job didn't have such bad luck. First he breaks his leg. It was supposed to be of the season-ending variety, but Marty worked as hard in rehab as he does on the ice and returned several weeks early. Then in his first game back he goes and gets clocked in the face by teammate Johan Hedberg's stick. It was back to the shelf with a broken orbital bone. But, once again, Marty came back sooner than expected only to reinjure his leg. At that point it was decided Straka should just sit out the rest of the schedule before spontaneously combusting.

Straka is just a great little hockey player. He's one of the game's fastest skaters. He's got what we in the business like to call explosive quickness. He's at top speed within two strides. And his engine never stops. His work ethic is incredible. The li'l Czech Dynamo makes the Energizer Bunny seem sluggish.

Unlike some other smallish superstars -- Paul Kariya, I'm looking in your direction -- Marty doesn't shy away from the physical stuff. Not only will he take a hit to make a play, he'll initiate contact. He's not gonna run anyone through the boards, but if the hit's there he'll take it.

Straka's a gifted playmaker. He reads the ice with the best of them and has the skill to make passes that others wouldn't even see. Shooting doesn't come as natural. While Marty's slap shot is strong enough to score from the point, his wrister rarely beats an unscreened goalie clean. Most of his tallies come as a result of his speed. He's a breakaway machine. He may not convert many, but he sure as hell gets a lot of 'em. Nothing is as cool as watching Alexei Kovalev hit Straka behind the defense with a long lead pass. Marty could be a perennial 40-goal guy if he cashed in on even half his one-on-one chances.

Versatility is another one of Straka's seemingly endless attributes. He plays the point on the power play, he kills penalties, and he'll be out there at the end of games whether the Penguins are looking for the tying goal or trying to protect a lead.

Since 1998-99, Straka has scored 246 points in 246 games. For you math wizards out there, that averages out to a point per game. He should really be in the top five, maybe even as high as two or three. But we're playin' it safe until there's proof the jinx has ended. If he even breaks another bone...

Hold on a second. This just in: Straka has fractured a bone in his back while lifting weights in the Czech Republic. He was doing squats with 375 pounds when the weight machine shifted and fell on his back. If surgery is required, he'll be out six months. Okay, let me check the office pool. Who had squashed by enormous weight? Let's see, hit by lightning, run over by a team of horses, slipping in shower... oh, here it is, crushed by enormous weight... a Mr. Zippy T. Wonderchimp just won himself $12.

7. Eric Daze, Chicago Blackhawks: Never before has an All-Star MVP award been so humiliating. Do you think Daze even drives that truck? Only the NHL would reward failure. After all, the league does give a point to teams that lose in overtime, why not give an automobile to a guy on a losing team? It makes perfect sense in the NHL's bizarre little world.

But even the joke of his winning an undeserved MVP honor at the mid-season classic can't take away from Daze's remarkable 2001-02 campaign. The mammoth winger recorded his second straight 30- goal season and the fourth of his career while establishing new highs in goals (38), assists (32), points (70), and power-play goals (12). In the past, Daze would get hot for a couple weeks and then do a whole lot of nothing for months at a time. Last year was different. He came to play. There was a noticeable improvement in Daze's intensity and work ethic. Gee, I wonder if Brian Sutter had anything to do with that?

At 6'6", 234 pounds, Daze is a nightmare for defensemen. He'll never be a devastating hitter like an Owen Nolan or Gary Roberts; he just doesn't have the mind-set. But Daze is finally starting to use his frame and play like a big man instead of a little fella in a power forward's body. His size and reach, not to mention his natural scorer's touch, make him murder in front of the net. From the hash marks in, Daze's as dangerous as anyone in hockey.

He's not a point-per-game guy, and most of his assists will come as a result of rebounds, but Daze can put the puck in the net. That makes him a rare commodity in today's NHL.

8. John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers: LeClair almost didn't make the list. He was horrible last year in scoring 25 goals and 51 points for the Flyers. Granted, he did have a legitimate excuse, having lost all but 16 games of the 2000-01 season due to back surgery. But this was depressing. He looked like a shadow of his former self. It was kind of like watching one of those "Gilligan's Island" reunion shows. You could kind of recognize the Skipper because of the blue shirt and hat, but take those away and he'd be just another old fat guy with a little buddy.

LeClair was slow. He didn't lose a step, he lost a staircase. His hands, once the envy of every big man, were as clumsy as an LCS staffer's after a week off the sauce. Rebounds that once found the net were now bouncing over his blade or being slammed off the backboards. His poor work around the cage was illustrated by his meager four power-play goals.

Even at his worst, LeClair is still an impact player. His size and strength are always a headache for the opposition. He could never touch the puck at all and still create havoc by driving the net and opening space for his teammates. I just wish he'd get a mean streak. He's only gone over 40 penalty minutes twice in his career. That's either sad or commendable, depending on how you look at it. He could have been one of the all-time greats if he ever hit with bad intentions.

The question now is whether LeClair's lack of production was just an aftereffect of the surgery or a sign of things to come? Usually it takes someone a full year to recover from major trauma. And don't forget, this is the same player that scored 235 goals in the five seasons before going under the knife. If he gets his stride back, the hands should come around and another 40 goals will find the back of his hockey card.

9. Jeff O'Neill, Carolina Hurricanes: After scoring no more than 19 goals or 39 points in any of his first four years in the NHL, O'Neill has finally started delivering on the promise that made him a first-round draft choice of the Whale back in 1994. Over his past three seasons, O'Neill has averaged 32 goals and 65 points. Not exactly Hall of Fame numbers, but still a substantial improvement.

A natural center, O'Neill can play all three forward positions. He teams with Ron Francis and Sami Kapanen to give the Hurricanes one of the top scoring lines in hockey. O'Neill's speed demands respect. He can blow wide or cut to the inside and split a seam at will. Once in the open, his shot could find the corner of a circular room. And O'Neill isn't all flash. He seldom gets credit for it, but he's a big-time hitter.

10. Sergei Samsonov, Boston Bruins: For a while there it looked like Samsonov would be little more than a specialist in the NHL; a little skill guy to play the power play and not much else. That was then, this is now. Sergei's put together back- to-back 29-goal seasons and a total of 145 points over the past two years. It was also encouraging to see Samsonov finish the 2001-02 slate at a +21. That's a mighty big positive for a guy long considered a defensive liability.

Samsonov has mad creativity with the puck. He's got the hands of a pickpocket. Combine that touch with his uncanny quickness, and the little Russian speedster can waltz through the most secure perimeters. He's not scared to beat the same defenseman twice on any given play. And that used to be Sergei's big problem. He's so good with the puck on his stick that he would hold it too long, always forsaking the shot to make one more move. It's no coincidence that Samsonov's play elevated right alongside his shot total. He never registered more than 160 shots during any of his first three seasons before piling up 215 in 2000-01 and 192 in 2001-02, with only eight games lost to injury keeping him from breaking the 200-shot barrier.

In a league full of hooking and holding, where goal scoring is at a premium and innovation at a standstill, Samsonov is like a shot of straight gin on a thirsty summer afternoon... or a cold winter afternoon... or any afternoon for that matter.

Simon Gagne, Philadelphia Flyers: Gagne earned his way onto the Canadian Olympic team and played a much larger role than expected, skating the left side on the top line with Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla. And the 22-year-old didn't look out of place.

Gagne's numbers have improved in each of his first three years in the NHL. Last season he posted career-highs in goals (33), assists (33), points (66), and plus-minus (+31). His game's all about skating. Robert Downey Jr. never had so much speed.

A good, clean-cut young lad, Gagne's one of the few Flyers that shouldn't have much of a problem adjusting to Ken Hitchcock's style of coaching. The new system could put a damper on team scoring, but he should still be 30 goals in the bank. He's got tremendous upside.

Gary Roberts, Toronto Maple Leafs: If the rankings were done on just heart and toughness, Roberts would be No. 1 by a country mile. He's as cool as they come. He was at his best in the playoffs, leading the Maple Leafs on an emotional charge to the Conference Finals while posting seven goals and 19 points in 19 games. Unfortunately, Roberts hasn't been able to recapture the scoring touch of his pre-neck injury days in the regular season. Since returning to the NHL in 1997-98, he has yet to score more than 29 goals or 53 points.

Stats don't tell the story with Roberts. Health concerns are the only thing keeping him off the charts. Despite being one of the top-conditioned athletes in all of pro sports, Roberts has missed 26 games over the past three seasons and was forced to undergo surgery this summer on both of his shoulders. The rehabilitation could keep him out until February. And at 36, it's unlikely that the frequency of injuries will decrease.

Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers: Smyth has the size, the speed, and the attitude to be in the top ten, but he dropped 21 games to injury last year and didn't exactly adjust too well to life without Doug Weight, scoring a mere 15 goals in his 61 games. But a strong 2002-03 could easily place him in contention for as high as the No. 8 spot with the likes of O'Neill, Samsonov, and Gagne.

Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers: I so wanted to put Kovalchuk in the top ten. Not since Pavel Bure broke in with the Canucks has there been a young player with this much talent. Kovalchuk could be the most exciting player in the game today. This kid's a goal waiting to happen. He's never met a shot he didn't take. Sadly, his brilliant NHL debut was spoiled by a shoulder injury. If he comes back healthy this season, continues to produce at his rookie clip, and pays a bit more attention to defense, he could be top-five material.

Andrew Brunette, Minnesota Wild: Thanks, Expansion! Did anyone even notice that Brunette led Minnesota in scoring last season with 48 assists and 69 points? That's as many assists as Jaromir Jagr. Brunette isn't a great skater, but he does have the hands and the head of a playmaker. He could make a killing over the next few years feeding the puck to Marian Gaborik.

If the league didn't go to 30 teams, Brunette would probably still be toiling in the minor leagues. As it is, he's already spent time with the Predators and Thrashers before finding a home with the Wild. So I guess he kind of still is in the minors. At least he gets a good deal on all NHLPA merchandise. Think of him as this generation's Brian Bradley or Bob Kudelski.

Chris Drury and Alex Tanguay, Colorado Avalanche: What the hell happened? Drury and Tanguay both did vanishing acts in 2001-02. With Peter Forsberg convalescing, Colorado was counting on its two young stars to pick up the slack. They responded with 94 points... combined!

Tanguay battled through a series of injuries, so his 48 points, while not acceptable, are somewhat understandable. Drury's 46 points were just a disgrace. I realize he earns his money in the postseason, and he's one of the best clutch scorers in hockey, but you can't just sleepwalk through the first 82 and show up in April. Drury and Tanguay hung Joe Sakic out to dry. Their lack of scoring was a burden the Avalanche captain didn't need to carry. Joe was painfully fatigued by the time the Western Conference Finals rolled around. Part of the blame has to fall to these guys. They certainly didn't make his life any easier.

2002-03 should be a whole new story. Drury and Tanguay are way too talented to be scoring in the 40s. Both of them should be in the top ten. I have a feeling they will be this time next year.

Ray Whitney, Columbus Blue Jackets: If a hockey team plays its games but no one cares, do they make a sound? Whitney sure did make his share of noise last season for the Blue Jackets, putting up 21 goals and 61 points in 67 games.

Can you imagine if there was some poor soul named, oh, I don't know, "Michael", who had the foresight to draft Whitney in his hockey pool only to cut him early on when it looked like Ray would be out of action with a back injury? That would have really sucked, huh? Yes, sir. It certainly would have sucked.

Luc Robitaille, Detroit Red Wings: Lucky Luc did pot 30 goals last year, but he only had 50 points. That's like six fewer points than his age. Aw, I tease in fun. Robitaille's not 56, he just skates like he is. I'll make this simple: Robitaille in Los Angeles? Cool. Robitaille in Detroit, Pittsburgh, or New York? Lame. Although, he was always a punk even in L.A. Remember the time he flipped out on Chris Chelios? Now that was a slugfest for ya. It was like Liberace fighting Nathan Lane.

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