Midpoint icebreakers: Take your pick

0 Comments | USA TODAY, January, 2008 | by Kevin Allen

The NHL is a week away from entering its All-Star break. USA TODAY hockey reporter Kevin Allen sizes up the season so far:

Most entertaining offensive players: 1.Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers); 2. Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Red Wings); 3. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins); 4. Vinny Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning); 5 (tie). Marian Gaborik (Minnesota Wild) and Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals).

MVP: 1. Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames); 2.Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit); 3. Crosby; 4. Lecavalier; 5. Roberto Luongo (Vancouver).

Unsung hero: Ty Conklin (Pittsburgh); 2.Chris Osgood (Detroit); 3. Alexander Edler (Vancouver Canucks); 4. Tom Gilbert (Edmonton Oilers); 5. Kristian Huselius (Calgary).

Top rookie: 1. Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks);...