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Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele’s Top Five NHL Players Make an Interesting List

By Kyle McCarthy

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 14: Mark Scheifele #55 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on during a first period stoppage in play against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 14, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Knights defeated the Jets 3-1 to tie the series 1-1. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 14: Mark Scheifele #55 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on during a first period stoppage in play against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 14, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Knights defeated the Jets 3-1 to tie the series 1-1. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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So, this has been a busy week for someone, at least. The Winnipeg Jets top center took to the air to discuss his top 5 NHL players.

Mark Scheifele is very good. The Winnipeg Jets are lucky to have him. The PGA Tour would not be so lucky.

Apparently, 15 over par is a bad score. Not good enough to make the cut for the tournament, at least. What a shame. Don’t get me wrong, he’s better than I am.

And he’s right, playing 18 holes takes a lot out of you. By the back nine, I’m gassed. Stick to hockey, Mark, you’re quite good at it.

But his golfing interests me less than his list of top 5 NHL players. Look, I get it. There’s a lot to process here, but I’m there for you.

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For one, Mark Scheifele knows more about hockey than I ever will. If I spend the next 30 years of my life writing about hockey (Please God, let that happen), he’ll still understand things about the game that I never will.

And maybe, just knowing how he plays and who he plays, this list is accurate. Maybe he realizes these people listed give Scheifele the hardest time as opponents. Well, one is a teammate. And I’d be hard pressed to believe he doesn’t know the best player on his  own team.

Well, it’s probably him. But he doesn’t strike me as the kind of dude with the stones to put himself in the top 5. As much as I love him, I don’t know that he makes my list.

So, about that list. It’s been over 250 words and we don’t have a clue who is on the list. C’mon, Kyle, get it together.

Okay, so the list. Also, I linked to the article, so don’t get sassy with me, me. But it goes Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Blake Wheeler, Roman Josi / Victor Hedman (one but not both), and Jamie Benn.

So, technically it’s a top six. I mean, he says he’d only include one of the defenseman, but not both. Far be it from me, however, to remove one for him.

The first two are without argument. I think those two end up 1-2 on everyone’s list, unless they’re hating. Which is possible, Crosby is wildly unpopular outside of Pittsburgh fandom.

Now, if you’re going to include a defenseman (I think you should), Hedman is hard to argue. He did just win the Norris trophy. He’s massive, quick and skilled. Roman Josi might not even be the best defenseman on his own team.

I think he is, however, as explosive as P.K. Subban is. Josi is so, so good. I’m assuming Scheifele has firsthand experience of that. Erik Karlsson is great but gets too much love based on just offensive statistics.

He’s the best offensively, but not defensively. That’s not to suggest he’s bad in his own end, just not as good as some of the others. Jamie Benn is confusing. I get it, Benn is really good.  Maybe the Jets see him when he’s at his best.

Is he better than…Tyler Seguin? Patrick Kane? Nikita Kucherov? Steven Stamkos? Nathan McKinnon? I could go on. But whatever. Blake Wheeler being on there? He’s really, really good.

Scheifele plays with Wheeler every day. He knows him. I would not put Wheeler in my top 5. I understand why he did, however. Especially with the whole teammates thing.

No goaltender? I get it. It’s hard to compare the two, skaters and netminders. But, since you all asked, I have a special treat. It’s the top 5 NHL players today from your top two writers on JetsWhiteOut.com, Adam Helsel and Your Boy, me. In no particular order.

Adam’s Top 5

  • Sidney Crosby – Sid has become an incredibly well-rounded player.  His play-making
    ability is no secret but he has also quietly become a great face-off
    man and skilled at puck protection.
  • Nikita Kucherov – Kuch has arrived as one of the league’s best pure goal scorers.  He
    would be an incredible asset on any team but with Tampa’s roster his
    talent becomes almost unfair.
  • Connor McDavid – McDavid’s ability to use his silky mitts at top speed make him a human
    highlight reel.  His PPG total doesn’t hurt either.
  • Erik Karlsson – It was a toss up between Karlsson and Hedman.  Karlsson gets the nod
    because he’s incredible on a much more lackluster roster.

    • Patrik Laine

    – Laine’s elite scoring touch helped springboard the Jets from

    underrated to perennial contenders.  He could definitely light the

    lamp 50x in 2018-19.

    Next. Winnipeg Jets Meet MLB Stars. dark

    Kyle’s Top 5

    1. Sid the Kid – Duh. For a few years, when he was battling injury, I wondered if he was as good as they said. Well, he is. I’ve seen him do things I’ve never though humanly possible.
    2. Connor McDonald’s – He’s really, really good. On a trash team. He’s unrealistically fast and, as Adam noted, incredibly skilled at top speed. He’s a real happy meal, broh.
    3. Henrik Lundqvist – The King! Forget the bias. This dude has wowed me for years. Unreal consistency, day to day, year to year. His ability to make difficult saves consistently is too impressive to forget.
    4. Vladimir Tarasenko – For me, it’s his ability to take over a game. I’m sure he’ll work on the consistency part, but he’s just so talented with the puck on his stick. That’s pure hockey for me.
    5. Drew Doughty – I hate doing this so much. I hate the Kings. I can’t stand Doughty. But he’s so, so incredibly good. He plays hella minutes year after year and is still producing great numbers. Annoying.
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