NHL

Top 10 MVP Candidates For 2015 NHL All-Star Game

Fresh Videos

By

Top 10 MVP Candidates For 2015 NHL All-Star Game

Nick Foligno 2014-15
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

One of the great things about the NHL All-Star game is choosing the MVP afterwards. Usually there are so many options, with scoring being exponentially higher and every skill set on full display. Every player in the game is good enough to deserve the MVP honor, but there are some who are just a cut above the rest. Here are the top 10 candidates heading into the All-Star game.

10. Shea Weber

Shea Weber Nashville Predators 2014-15
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

10. Shea Weber

Shea Weber Nashville Predators 2014-15
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Consistently having on of the hardest shots in the NHL, Shea Weber is a great person to have on your side in the skills competition portion of the All-Star weekend. In a game situation, his shot from the point is very effective. We’ll see if he can have such success in the game on Sunday, maybe even making a run for MVP.

9. Patrick Kane

Anaheim Ducks v Chicago Blackhawks
Getty Images

9. Patrick Kane

Anaheim Ducks v Chicago Blackhawks
Getty Images

Patrick Kane has exceptional stick handling abilities, and in a game where defensive effort isn’t all too important, it will be his time to shine. He has the ability to dangle through every single person on the ice, and if he can do it consistently in the All-Star game, an MVP award is not out of the question.

8. Drew Doughty

Drew Doughty
Robert Mackson-USA Today Sports

8. Drew Doughty

Drew Doughty
Robert Mackson-USA Today Sports

A great puck moving defenseman for the Los Angeles Kings during the regular season, Drew Doughty will have many opportunities to take the puck end-to-end due to a lack of high pressure fore-checking in the All-Star game. He has shown flashes of having great offensive awareness with the Kings; this defenseman has all the potential to win the MVP at the All-Star game.

7. Ryan Getzlaf

Ryan Getzlaf
Jerome Miron - USA TODAY Sports

7. Ryan Getzlaf

Ducks Getzlaf
Jerome Miron - USA TODAY Sports

Known for being a gritty, offensive player with the Anaheim Ducks, Ryan Getzlaf has full rein to showcase his goal-scoring talent in Columbus. He doesn’t always have the highlight reel goal, but in a less physical setting Getzlaf may be the one to shine.

6. Alex Ovechkin

2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic
Getty Images

6. Alex Ovechkin

2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic
Getty Images

A guy who’s been one of the best at putting the puck in the net for a while now, Alex Ovechkin loves to have the spotlight on him. He has always put on a good show at All-Star games in years past, and has the potential to light it up in the game at any moment. It’s easy to see Ovechkin going home with the MVP award.

5. Nick Foligno

Nick Foligno 71 2014-15
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Nick Foligno

Nick Foligno 71 2014-15
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Columbus Blue Jacket forward will have all the fans’ support behind him at the All-Star game in Columbus. He’s had an outstanding year for the Jackets, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him carry the momentum into the All-Star game. Having the crowd behind him will help his cause towards an MVP award.

4. John Tavares

Washington Capitals v New York Islanders
Getty Images

4. John Tavares

Washington Capitals v New York Islanders
Getty Images

Yet another player with a great offensive skill set, John Tavares has all the traits he needs to head home with an MVP award. Now it’s all about being in the right place at the right time during the All-Star game in Columbus.

3. Vladimir Tarasenko

Tarasenko Blues Rangers
Jerome Miron - USA TODAY Sports

3. Vladimir Tarasenko

St. Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko
Jerome Miron - USA TODAY Sports

Already surpassing his point total from last season, Vladimir Tarasenko is proving to be a very legitimate offensive threat in the NHL. He has been competing with the powerhouses in the Western Conference his whole career and has been excelling. He may be out to prove a point at the All-Star game, which may result in a lot of goal-scoring given his talent. An MVP award is definitely possible for Tarasenko.

2. Tyler Seguin

Anaheim Ducks v Dallas Stars - Game Six
Getty Images

2. Tyler Seguin

Anaheim Ducks v Dallas Stars - Game Six
Getty Images

It’s hard to argue against Tyler Seguin not being a safe MVP bet, considering he is tied for the league lead in goals scored. Seguin has shined ever since arriving in Dallas, and will put his full skill set on display in Columbus this weekend, making it difficult on defenders and goaltenders alike.

1. Steven Stamkos

Tampa Bay Lightning v Montreal Canadiens - Game Three
Getty Images

1. Steven Stamkos

Tampa Bay Lightning v Montreal Canadiens - Game Three
Getty Images

One of the leaders in goals scored over the last few seasons, Steven Stamkos is one of the best players in the NHL right now. With his shot, and all the other skills he possess, an MVP award is not out of the reach for him. It will be a treat to watch him play alongside some other great players in the NHL come Sunday.

Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google. 

Share Tweet
Trending Now on