LEFT WING LEFT BEHIND
Leave in to left wingers to be hockey’s version of the proletariat. In assembling the lists of the greatest players by position, it became clear the port-siders, while exceptionally talented, are the lower class among the game’s immortal elite. The point is reinforced when you cross-reference the rankings. For example, where our goalie is Jacques Plante, on defense it’s Ray Bourque, the center is Mark Messier and Jaromir Jagr takes the honor on right wing. On the left side? Dickie Moore.
Don’t confuse the observation as a criticism of Dickie Moore. He was a fantastic NHL star. He just isn’t quite in the same stratosphere as the aforementioned quartet. And that pattern is repeated throughout the rankings.
The numbers also tell a tale. Our 20 ranked centers have combined for 30 Hart Trophies, right wingers 13 and defensemen eight. The left wingers bring up the rear with six, two each by Bobby Hull and Alex Ovechkin
So why the uneven ice surface? Pick a theory or combine them, but here are a few thoughts.
- The points factor. Scoring isn’t the only consideration, but it tends to be the primary one and LWs lag behind.
- Lefty migration. Left-shooting players dominate righties in terms of numbers and quality in the NHL, but many of them don’t play LW. For example, 15 of our top 20 defensemen shot/shoot left; 12 of the 20 centers, including four of the top five. Even on right wing, top stars such Rocket Richard, Jaromir Jagr, Pavel Bure, Yvan Cournoyer and Alex Mogilny shot left.
- The mighty right. Many goalies who catch with their left hands (the vast majority) say shots coming from their opposing right wing tend to be tougher to stop.
There is reason for hope, however, if you’re a fan of LWs. In recent times, it has become more fashionable for right shots to play their off wing, most notably goal machines Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk.
Could it be the proletariat is rising and threatening to join the bourgeoisie?
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