1. Alexander Ovechkin

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Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his second period goal against the Chicago Blackhawks with teammate Nicklas Backstrom #19 during their preseason game on September 23, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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Left winger - Washington Capitals

NHL's most exciting player, but can his body withstand his physical game?

2. Evgeni Malkin

Centre - Pittsburgh Penguins

100-point seasons are becoming the norm for last year's Art Ross winner

3. Sidney Crosby

Centre - Pittsburgh Penguins

Olympic workload could become a concern if his groin problems linger

4. Pavel Datsyuk

Centre - Detroit Red Wings

Detroit's Mr. Consistency-his point totals in the last four seasonss: 97, 97, 87, 87

5. Roberto Luongo

Goaltender - Vancouver Canucks

Has to put disastrous playoff finish out of his head; the contract could help

6. Henrik Zetterberg

Left winger - Detroit Red Wings

Two-way dynamo needs to pick up scoring slack in Marian Hossa's absence

7. Ryan Getzlaf

Centre - Anaheim Ducks

Dominating centre's point totals have increased substantially in each season

8. Zdeno Chara

Defenceman - Boston Bruins

Norris winner is owner of the league's hardest shot and its longest wingspan

9. Jarome Iginla

Right winger - Calgary Flames

Full year with playmaker Jokinen could yield third career 50-goal season

10. Nicklas Lidstrom

Defenceman - Detroit Red Wings

Perennial Norris candidate doesn't make mistakes in his own end ... or anywhere else

11. Zach Parise

Left winger - New Jersey Devils

Will have to prove his breakout 94-point campaign in 2008-09 was no fluke

12. Ilya Kovalchuk

Left winger - Atlanta Thrashers

If the Thrashers don't get to the playoffs, this is probably his swan song in Atlanta

13. Martin Brodeur

Goaltender - New Jersey Devils

Slumped late last season following emotional chase for all-time wins record

14. Jeff Carter

Centre - Philadelphia Flyers

Strong early performance could earn speedy sniper an Olympic reward

15. Vincent Lecavalier

Centre - Tampa Bay Lightning

Big centre could be trade fodder again if Oren Koules takes team from Len Barrie

16. Eric Staal

Centre - Carolina Hurricanes

Can carry Hurricanes with his goal-scoring, but he can also disappear for stretches

17. Rick Nash

Left winger - Columbus Blue Jackets

Should build on a career-best 79-point season with better offensive support in Coumbus

18. Mike Richards

Centre - Philadelphia Flyers

The league's biggest threat to score shorthanded -he did it seven times in '08-09

19. Joe Thornton

Centre - San Jose Sharks

Assist man could be looking at a career year with Dany Heatley on his left wing

20. Chris Pronger

Defenceman - Philadelphia Flyers

Will be counted on to rejuvenate the Flyers' defence, and possibly Team Canada's

21. Mike Green

Defenceman - Washington Capitals

Record-setting blueliner's biggest weakness is, unquestionably, defence

22. Marc Savard

Centre - Boston Bruins

Oft-overlooked playmaker trying out new wingers with Kessel now in Toronto

23. Scott Niedermayer

Defenceman - Anaheim Ducks

One last kick at the can for Canada's most decorated offensive defenceman

24. Jonathan Toews

Centre - Chicago Blackhawks

With Kane and Hossa on his wings, do-everything centre is poised for breakout

25. Daniel and Henrik Sedin

Left winger, centre - Vancouver Canucks

Too tough to tell apart to separate, both in person and on the scoresheet

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