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Positional rankings: Projecting the NHL's top 25 left wingers in 2016-17

Positional rankings: Projecting the NHL's top 25 left wingers in 2016-17

(Note: These rankings are based on players' projected performances in 2016-17. Players are listed at their official NHL position when the rankings were created.)

Here’s the Yahoo Sports ranking of the top 25 left wingers in the NHL for the 2016-17 season. You can let us know where we went wrong (or right!) in the comments section.

1. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: They might call him the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history during his Hall of Fame induction ceremony. But will they also call him a Stanley Cup champion?

2. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars: The best 129th overall draft pick ever.

3. Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils: The best first overall draft pick ever traded for Adam Larsson.

4. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames: He’s much smaller than you are. He’s also much, much better at hockey than you are.

Despite Montreal's woes last year, Max Pacioretty hit the 30-goal plateau for a third straight season. (Getty)
Despite Montreal's woes last year, Max Pacioretty hit the 30-goal plateau for a third straight season. (Getty)

5. Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens: Look for the Habs captain to record his fourth consecutive 30-plus goal season.

6. Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins: Nobody likes him and he really seems to like it like that.

7. Alex Steen, St. Louis Blues: A two-way force with a laser shot.

8. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators: Hey, he’s no Martin Erat but he’s alright.

9. Jaden Schwartz, St. Louis Blues: Should be good for 70 points if he can stay healthy.

10. Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche: A power forward who gives it his all, we’d like to see an uptick in his offensive production.

11. Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild: A competitor who comes through in the clutch.

12. Rick Nash, New York Rangers: The big horse is slowing down but he can still gallop to the front of the net with the best of them.

13. Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks: Let’s see if he can carry Patrick Kane as well as he did last season.

14. Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning: In hindsight, he probably shouldn’t have been the fourth-last player drafted in 2011 (208th overall).

After a slow start, Brandon Saad turned in a productive season in his first year in Columbus. (AP)
After a slow start, Brandon Saad turned in a productive season in his first year in Columbus. (AP)

15. Brandon Saad, Columbus Blue Jackets: It was a wreck of a season in Columbus last year, but the 23-year-old Saad still ended up with 31 goals.

16. Milan Lucic, Edmonton Oilers: The most intimidating 20-goal player in the league.

17. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks: He needs 58 points to reach 1,000 for his NHL career and you can expect it to happen this season.

18. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers: The youth movement is in full effect in South Florida.

19. Andrew Ladd, New York Islanders: Not the fleetest of foot, but the biggest of heart.

20. Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes: It’s hard to believe that hockey’s Bieber is skating into his seventh NHL campaign.

21. Jamie McGinn, Arizona Coyotes: You don’t hear too much about him and that probably won’t change a whole lot as he moves to the desert. Still, he’s a gamer who deserves a spot on this list.

22. Michael Cammalleri, New Jersey Devils: He scores with regularity when healthy, but he’s had trouble staying in the lineup the past few seasons.

23. Max Domi, Arizona Coyotes: There’s no Tie in hockey -- but there’s a Max and he’s better.

24. James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs: Big body creates space in front of the net, soft hands to roof the puck.

25. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings: How will the soon-to-be 36-year-old fare without longtime running mate Pavel Datsyuk?

(The next five: Marcus Johansson, Washington Capitals; Matt Beleskey, Boston Bruins; Carl Hagelin, Pittsburgh Penguins; Mikkel Boedker, San Jose Sharks; Evander Kane, Buffalo Sabres.)

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