Super 16: Ovechkin, Robitaille best left wings in expansion era

The NHL season has been paused since March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, but the weekly Super 16 rolls on in a revamped form, looking at the history of the game. This week, it's the top 16 left wings from 1967 to the present day, the NHL expansion era.

Alex Ovechkin was the near-unanimous choice as the best left wing in the NHL expansion era.

The Washington Capitals captain was ranked No. 1 by 12 of the 13 voters in this Super 16. Bobby Hull received the other top vote and finished No. 4 in the final rankings.

Bob Gainey, the legendary Montreal Canadiens left wing, barely found his way into the Super 16, finishing with 30 voting points, one more than former Buffalo Sabres star Richard Martin and two more than Brian Bellows, who was at his best with the Minnesota North Stars and Canadiens from 1982-94.

Hull, Frank Mahovlich and Johnny Bucyk each made it despite his career bridging from the Original Six era to the expansion era.

To create this Super 16, each of the 13 participating NHL.com staff members put together his or her version of what they think it should look like. Those were submitted and a point total was assigned to each.

The left wing picked first was given 16 points, second got 15, third 14 and so on down to No. 16, who got one point.

Here is the Super 16, best left wings from 1967 to present day:

1. Alex Ovechkin

Total points: 205

Hall of Fame induction: Not eligible, still playing

His 706 goals are eighth in NHL history and first among left wings. With 48 goals and 13 games remaining, Ovechkin could tie Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for most 50-goal seasons in NHL history (nine each) if the 2019-20 regular season resumes. He helped the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018, when he was voted winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Named to the NHL First All-Star Team eight times (2006-10, 2013, 2015, 2019) and to the Second Team four times (2011, 2013-14, 2016), he has won the Rocket Richard Trophy for leading the League in goals eight times, and he was voted the winner of the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP three times (2008, 2009, 2013). Ovechkin was awarded the Calder Trophy voted as NHL rookie of the year for 2005-06 and the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring leader with 112 points in the 2007-08 season. He is first among Russia-born players in NHL history with 1,278 points in 1,152 games.

2. Luc Robitaille

Total points: 185

Hall of Fame induction: 2009

Robitaille had his best seasons with the Los Angeles Kings from 1986-1994. His 1,394 points are first among left wings (22nd in NHL history), and his 668 goals are second (13th in NHL history). Robitaille was named to the NHL First All-Star Team five times (1988-91, 1993) and to the Second Team three times (1987, 1992, 2001). He had eight straight seasons with at least 44 goals to start his NHL career, including 63 in 1992-93, 53 in 1987-88 and 52 in 1989-90. He won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2002. Robitaille won the Calder for 1986-87, when he had 84 points (45 goals, 39 assists) in 79 games.

3. Brendan Shanahan

Total points: 168

Hall of Fame induction: 2013

Shanahan was known for his ferocious play as one of the preeminent power forwards and for his quick release. He is third among left wings with 656 goals (14th in NHL history) and 1,354 points (26th) in 1,524 games with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Red Wings and New York Rangers. He won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 1997, 1998 and 2002. Shanahan was named to the NHL First All-Star Team twice (1994, 2000) and to the Second Team in 2002.

4. Bobby Hull

Total points: 153

Hall of Fame induction: 1983

Hull played just five full seasons in the NHL during the expansion era but was named to the NHL First All-Star Team four times (1968-70, 1972) and to the Second Team in 1971 in that span from 1967-72 with the Chicago Black Hawks before joining the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association. He ranked first among left wings with 234 goals and 438 points in 362 games in the five seasons. Hull returned to the NHL when the Jets joined the League for the 1979-80 season; he had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 18 games for Winnipeg before being traded to Hartford on Feb. 27, 1980, and finishing his career at 41 years old with seven points (two goals, five assists) in nine games.

5. Michel Goulet

Total points: 140

Hall of Fame induction: 1998

Goulet was a dominant scorer for the Quebec Nordiques in the 1980s, scoring at least 53 goals in four straight seasons from 1982-86. He had four seasons of at least 104 points, topping out at 122 (56 goals, 66 assists) in 1983-84. Named to the NHL First All-Star Team three times (1984, 1986-87) and the Second Team twice (1983, 1988), he is seventh among left wings in goals (548) and points (1,153) in 1,089 NHL games.

6. Dave Andreychuk

Total points: 124

Hall of Fame induction: 2017

Among left wings, Andreychuk is fourth in goals (640), tied with Shanahan for third in assists (698), fourth in points (1,338) and first in games (1,639). He is first in NHL history with 274 power-play goals. He won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.

7. Paul Kariya

Total points: 95

Hall of Fame induction: 2017

Kariya finished a career cut short by issues related to concussions with 989 points (402 goals, 587 assists) in 989 games with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and Blues. He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team three times (1996-97, 1999) and to the Second Team twice (2000, 2003). Among left wings in NHL history, Kariya ranks ninth in assists, 14th in points and 18th in goals, and since 1967, he is one of seven who has averaged at least one point per game while playing at least 500 games.

8. Keith Tkachuk

Total points: 86

Hall of Fame induction: N/A

Tkachuk is the only United States-born player to lead the NHL in goals in a season, scoring 52 with the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996-97. He also scored 50 with the Jets in 1995-96. Tkachuk is eighth among left wings with 538 goals and ninth with 1,065 points in 1,201 games with the Jets/Coyotes, Blues and Atlanta Thrashers. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.

9. Frank Mahovlich

Total points: 74

Hall of Fame induction: 1981

Mahovlich got a new lease on his career when he was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Red Wings on March 3, 1968. Already a legend in Toronto, Mahovlich began reestablishing himself as an elite player elsewhere, finishing the 1967-68 season with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 13 games with Detroit and scoring 49 goals in 1968-69. He eventually wound up with the Canadiens and won the Stanley Cup in 1971 and 1973, when he was named to the NHL First All-Star Team for the first time since 1963. Mahovlich was first in goals (256), third in assists (286) and second in points (542) among left wings from 1967-74 before leaving the NHL for the WHA.

10. Daniel Sedin

Total points: 68

Hall of Fame induction: Not eligible, recently retired

Sedin spent his entire 17-season NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks. He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2010 and 2011, and won the Art Ross Trophy for 2010-11, when he had NHL career highs of 41 goals, 63 assists and 104 points. He is sixth among left wings in NHL history with 648 assists, 11th with 1,041 points and ninth in games with 1,306.

11. Johnny Bucyk

Total points: 67

Hall of Fame induction: 1981

Bucyk was the dominant left wing in the NHL at the start of the expansion era, retiring after the 1977-78 season. He led the position in goals (329), assists (467) and points (796) from 1967-78. He had 202 more points than any other left wing in those seasons. He won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972. Bucyk had his best NHL season in 1970-71, when he had 116 points (51 goals, 65 assists). He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1971 and to the Second Team in 1968.

12. Ilya Kovalchuk

Total points: 54

Hall of Fame induction: Not eligible, still playing

Kovalchuk is 11th in goals (443) and 18th in points (876) among left wings in NHL history despite being 83rd in games (926). He spent five seasons from 2013-18 playing in the Kontinental Hockey League. He might be close to 600 goals if he stayed in the NHL for those five seasons. Kovalchuk was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2012 after he had 83 points (37 goals, 46 assists) in 77 games for the Devils in 2011-12. He scored 52 goals in 2005-06 and in 2007-08 with the Thrashers. He shared the Rocket Richard Trophy with Rick Nash and Jarome Iginla for 2003-2004, when each scored 41 goals.

13. Steve Shutt

Total points: 50

Hall of Fame induction: 1993

Shutt won the Stanley Cup five times with the Canadiens in the 1970s (1973, 1976-79). Named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1977 and to the Second Team in 1978 and 1980, he led Montreal with 60 goals in 1976-77, when his 105 points were second behind Guy Lafleur's 136. Shutt scored 817 points (424 goals, 393 assists) in 930 games in his NHL career, which spanned from 1972-85.

14. Bill Barber

Total points: 33

Hall of Fame induction: 1990

Barber was a huge part of the Broad Street Bullies, as the Philadelphia Flyers were called in the 1970s. He helped Philadelphia win the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975. Barber then had his best season in 1975-76 with 50 goals and 112 points, earning him a spot on the NHL First All-Star Team for the only time (he was named to the Second Team in 1979 and 1981). He is 16th in goals (420) and 17th in points (883) among left wings in NHL history despite being 90th in games (903).

15. John LeClair

Total points: 32

Hall of Fame induction: N/A

LeClair won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1993, but his career took off when he was traded to the Flyers on Feb. 9, 1995, and joined Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg on Philadelphia's top line, which became known as the "Legion of Doom." LeClair had three consecutive seasons of at least 50 goals (1995-98). He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team twice (1995, 1998) and to the Second Team three times (1996-97, 1999). He is 17th in goals (406) and 27th in points (819) among left wings in NHL history.

16. Bob Gainey

Total points: 30

Hall of Fame induction: 1992

Gainey never scored more than 23 goals or 47 points in any season, but that is irrelevant when it comes to his impact. Gainey won the Selke Trophy voted the best defensive forward in the NHL four times, in consecutive seasons from 1977-81. He won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens five times (1976-79, 1986) and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1979, when he had 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 16 playoff games.

Others receiving points: Richard Martin 29, Brian Bellows 28, Markus Naslund 27, Gary Roberts 25, Ray Whitney 24, Brian Propp 20, Mats Naslund 10, Charlie Simmer 6, Artemi Panarin 6, Ryan Smyth 6, Clark Gillies 5, Kirk Muller 4, Rick Nash 4, Brad Marchand 4, John Tonelli 2

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

AMALIE BENJAMIN

1. Bobby Hull; 2. Luc Robitaille; 3. Brendan Shanahan; 4. Alex Ovechkin; 5. Johnny Bucyk; 6. Dave Andreychuk; 7. Frank Mahovlich; 8. Bob Gainey; 9. Michel Goulet; 10. Brian Bellows; 11. Keith Tkachuk; 12. Bill Barber; 13. Markus Naslund; 14. Ray Whitney; 15. John LeClair; 16. Brian Propp

BRIAN COMPTON

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Bobby Hull; 3. Brendan Shanahan; 4. Luc Robitaille; 5. Dave Andreychuk; 6. Frank Mahovlich; 7. Michel Goulet; 8. Paul Kariya; 9. Keith Tkachuk; 10. Ilya Kovalchuk; 11. John LeClair; 12. Gary Roberts; 13. Steve Shutt; 14. Johnny Bucyk; 15. Clark Gillies; 16. Brian Bellows

NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Luc Robitaille; 3. Bobby Hull; 4. Brendan Shanahan; 5. Michel Goulet; 6. Paul Kariya; 7. Dave Andreychuk; 8. Daniel Sedin; 9. Markus Naslund; 10. John LeClair; 11. Keith Tkachuk; 12. Rick Martin; 13. Bill Barber; 14. Steve Shutt; 15. Clark Gillies; 16. Frank Mahovlich

WILLIAM DOUGLAS

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Bobby Hull; 3. Luc Robitaille; 4. Dave Andreychuk; 5. Brendan Shanahan; 6. Johnny Bucyk; 7. Frank Mahovlich; 8. Keith Tkachuk; 9. Michel Goulet; 10. Bob Gainey; 11. Brian Bellows; 12. Daniel Sedin; 13. Bill Barber; 14. Ilya Kovalchuk; 15. Gary Roberts; 16. Paul Kariya

TOM GULITTI

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Bobby Hull; 3. Luc Robitaille; 4. Frank Mahovlich; 5; Brendan Shanahan; 6. Michel Goulet; 7. Dave Andreychuk; 8. Paul Kariya; 9. Ilya Kovalchuk; 10. Bill Barber; 11. Artemi Panarin; 12. Steve Shutt; 13. Richard Martin; 14. Johnny Bucyk; 15. Keith Tkachuk; 16. Bob Gainey

ADAM KIMELMAN

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Bobby Hull; 3. Luc Robitaille; 4. Brendan Shanahan; 5. Frank Mahovlich; 6. Steve Shutt; 7. Bob Gainey; 8. Paul Kariya; 9. Michel Goulet; 10. Dave Andreychuk; 11. Johnny Bucyk; 12. Ilya Kovalchuk; 13. Keith Tkachuk; 14. Brad Marchand; 15. Daniel Sedin; 16. Bill Barber

ROBERT LAFLAMME

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Luc Robitaille; 3. Brendan Shanahan; 4. Dave Andreychuk; 5. Michel Goulet; 6. Steve Shutt; 7. Keith Tkachuk; 8. Bill Barber; 9. Gary Roberts; 10. John LeClair; 11. Daniel Sedin; 12. Paul Kariya; 13. Brian Propp; 14. Brian Bellows; 15. Ray Whitney; 16. Brad Marchand

MIKE G. MORREALE

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Luc Robitaille; 3. Brendan Shanahan; 4. Michel Goulet; 5. Keith Tkachuk; 6. Daniel Sedin; 7. Brian Propp; 8. Paul Kariya; 9. Dave Andreychuk; 10. Ray Whitney; 11. Gary Roberts; 12. Ilya Kovalchuk; 13. Kirk Muller; 14. Markus Naslund; 15. John Tonelli; 16. Steve Shutt

TRACEY MYERS

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Luc Robitaille; 3. Brendan Shanahan; 4. Dave Andreychuk; 5. Michel Goulet; 6. Daniel Sedin; 7. Keith Tkachuk; 8. Ray Whitney; 9. Ilya Kovalchuk; 10. Paul Kariya; 11. Brian Bellows; 12. Bobby Hull; 13. Gary Roberts; 14. Kirk Muller; 15. Ryan Smyth; 16. Brian Propp

SHAWN P. ROARKE

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Bobby Hull; 3. Luc Robitaille; 4. Michel Goulet; 5. Paul Kariya; 6. Richard Martin; 7. Mats Naslund; 8. Frank Mahovlich; 9. Brendan Shanahan; 10. John LeClair; 11. Charlie Simmer; 12. Johnny Bucyk; 13. Keith Tkachuk; 14. Ilya Kovalchuk; 15. Brian Propp; 16. Clark Gillies

DAN ROSEN

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Bobby Hull; 3. Luc Robitaille; 4. Brendan Shanahan; 5. Michel Goulet; 6. Paul Kariya; 7. Ilya Kovalchuk; 8. John LeClair; 9. Daniel Sedin; 10. Richard Martin; 11. Dave Andreychuk; 12. Frank Mahovlich; 13. Markus Naslund; 14. Keith Tkachuk; 15. Brian Propp; 16. Bill Barber

DAVE STUBBS

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Brendan Shanahan; 3. Luc Robitaille; 4. Bobby Hull; 5. Dave Andreychuk; 6. Johnny Bucyk; 7. Michel Goulet; 8. Keith Tkachuk; 9. Steve Shutt; 10. Daniel Sedin; 11. Paul Kariya; 12. Brian Bellows; 13. Rick Nash; 14. Ray Whitney; 15. Bill Barber; 16. John LeClair

MIKE ZEISBERGER

1. Alex Ovechkin; 2. Bobby Hull; 3. Frank Mahovlich; 4. Luc Robitaille; 5. Brendan Shanahan; 6. Michel Goulet; 7. Daniel Sedin; 8. Dave Andreychuk; 9. Johnny Bucyk; 10. Steve Shutt; 11. Paul Kariya; 12. Ilya Kovalchuk; 13. Ryan Smyth; 14. Keith Tkachuk; 15. Richard Martin; 16. Markus Naslund