Great things come in small packages.
Size isn't everything. Sure, it helps and some guys depend on it constantly. Would Hal Gill be in the NHL if it weren't for his 6'7" frame? I highly doubt it.
Remember when Pat Quinn thought that Steve Sullivan would never make it in the big leagues? Oh, how mistaken we were Pat.
As the saying goes: It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. Today, the NHL has its share of smaller players with great talent. These guys have to fight for every inch of ice and take some hits from their larger opponents in the process.
Martin St. Louis
Standing at 5'9", St. Louis is the ultimate role model for the shorter athletes looking to fight their way in the league. In 2003-04, the Quebec native was the league MVP with 94 points.
Not enough? That same year he led the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup victory. He's got great speed, good vision, and a one-timer that will hit the net from even the toughest angles.
Pavel Datsyuk
Now, when I mentioned that the players lacking size have to fight for their ice, I wouldn't include Datsyuk in that category. It seems like he can fly by defensemen effortlessly.
All it took was one goal for him to become well-known. The breakaway against Marty Turco in Dallas a few years ago. Ring a bell? The Russian is one of the best, if not the best, stick-handlers in the game today.
Patrick Kane
Only in his second year, but Kane has shown the world what he can do from day one. After a 72-point rookie campaign that saw him capture the Calder Trophy, the 19-year-old has already totalled 19 points through 14 games.
"The way he moves, his deking abilities, his thinking on the ice and his anticipation of the play is so superb." Alexander Semin said. A fine compliment coming from the current point leader in the NHL.
Zach Parise
Martin Brodeur may be injured, but Parise will do his best to carry the offense in New Jersey. He fights for every loose puck and constantly heads to the net looking for rebounds and deflections.
Coming off back-to-back seasons with 30-plus goals, the 24-year-old looks poised for a career-year. In just 15 games, he's already scored 11 goals.
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