For our March 19 issue of The Hockey News, we polled five players from each NHL team for who they thought were the top five players in the league today. Players couldn't vote for teammates. After tabulating the votes, we ended up with a ranking of the top 50 players in the NHL.
After releasing our list day-by-day, we are left with one last spot, the best NHLer as voted by the players, Sidney Crosby.
It just so happens No. 87 is returning from a concussion the same day we release this result online - we didn't plan it this way. But it's clear that, despite the time he's missed this season, his peers in the NHL recognize his supreme talents and accomplishments.
So, without further ado, here is the full top 50 ranking.