In French, 'le mieux' means 'the best.' He has certainly accomplished this feat. Mario Lemieux is one of the best players to ever play the game. Super Mario led the Pittsburgh Penguins to their first two Stanley Cup appearances and titles. The Captain of the Pens was always in a duel with 'The Great One' (Wayne Gretzky). To this day, he is the only player to ever steal 6 scoring titles away from him. In a game against New Jersey, in December of 1988, he became the first player to ever score 5 different kinds of goals in one game. He scored on the power play, on penalty kill, on even strength, on a penalty shot, and finally an empty net goal.

               'The Great One' is considered the best player of all time. Although this is opinionated, Wayne Gretzky would definitely be in the top 3. He literally has made all scoring title to this day in points, assists, and goals. These have still never be broken. Wayne played for many teams such as the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. If his team was on the power play, a teammate of his would purposely get a penalty. This would result in a 4 on 4. Since, Wayne Gretzky was somewhat small and speedy, this would leave him tons of ice to skate and create.

                When asked if his records would ever be broken someday, Wayne Gretzky named only one. 18 year old Sidney Crosby. Labeled 'The Next One,' Crosby lived up to the hype of his entry into the NHL at only 18 years of age. He became the youngest rookie to ever score 100 points in a rookie season surpassing Dale Hawerchuck. Sid the Kid was also the runner up for the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year). The Wizard leads the Pens in points, assists, and goals and was named an alternate captain. The Pens will go a long way with their kid Darryl. Sidney got the nickname Darryl after Maple Leafs star, Darryl Sittler, had 10 points in one game. A feat not even Gretzky could beat. In Sid's first exhibition game in juniors, he had 8 points and it's just stuck. It's now written on the cuff of his glove.

                Alexander Ovechkin, or 'Ovie' as his teammates call him, is one of the best rookies in the league right now. He won Calder Cup and finished the season with 106. He also became one of a few rookies in history to have a 50 goal season. Ovechkin was selected 1st overall in the 2004 entry draft to the Washington Capitals. He was also a member of the Russian Olympic Team.

              Evgeni Malkin, or 'Geno' as some call him, is a fantastic player that's only a rookie. He was selected to play in the NHL in the 2004 Draft, 1st overall but had one more year on his contract. But when his contract was up, he and his family went through harsh hours and days of abuse and threats from powerful Russian coaches and staff from the Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Evgeni's old team). Finally Malkin hopped the country. He was found somewhere in LA, where he practiced with the LA Kings. Eventually, he came to Pittsburgh and when Metallurg Magnitogorsk took the Pens and Geno to court, the judge ruled in favor of number 71. Unfortunately, in an exhibition game before the season, veteran John Leclair slid into the boards, flipping Evgeni into the air and onto his left shoulder. He was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder and was out for 4 games. But he seems to of over come that figuring now that he leads all rookies in points, goals, and assists and he missed 4 games. He is now the goal leader of the Pittsburgh Penguins and gives the Pens a 1-2 punch at center ice. He also has formed a dynamic duo with Pittsburgh superstar, Sidney Crosby. The 6'3'', 195lbs centerman was also a member of the Russian Olympic Team. He and his friend and fellow country man, Alexander Ovechkin, were paired up for a deadly duo also. When asked about him, Ovechkin said, "He will definitely win the Rookie of the Year hands down. I guarantee it."

            The 32 year old Russian Olympian, Sergei Gonchar, is one of the best defensemen of all time. He just accomplish a great feat in scoring his 500th point on Nov 25, 2006. Number 55 is one of the premiere goal scorers of the Pittsburgh Penguins. 'Sarge' was selected 14th overall in the 1992 entry draft. The 6'2'', 211lbs defensemen was also born on April 13th, 1974 in Chelyabinsk, Russia.