It’s no secret that playmakers come in all shapes and sizes, but there’s a special breed of playmaker in the National Hockey League that generates more discussion and invokes more adoration than any other: the sniper. A hockey staple, the sniper is a player who isn’t always the fastest, and may not possess the fanciest dekes or make the best passes, but damn if they can’t put the puck in the net when given the opportunity. These electric scorers, some of whom make plays based on shot alone, some of whom use a strong overall game to ensure the puck tickles the twine, and some of whom combine speed and savvy to overpower defenders, are all terrific hockey players with an affinity for sniping quality goals when it matters most, which is why they’ve been placed on Goliath’s list of the 10 best snipers currently in the NHL (spoiler alert, we’ve left Sid the Kid off this list based on the fact that his goal scoring game is currently lacking, and his play this season has left so much to be desired).
10. Jeff Carter – Los Angeles Kings
With his goal scoring having declined somewhat since joining the Los Angeles Kings in 2012, it’d be easy to forget that Jeff Carter was once a static figure among the NHL’s elite snipers, having registered consecutive seasons of 29, 46, 33 and 36 goals during his time with the Philadelphia Flyers. However, while his goal totals have dropped during his time in LA, he still registers as one of the most intimidating goal scorers in the NHL, with a devastating shot that goalies not only respect, but actively fear. Carter, who currently plays on a line with breakout star Tyler Toffoli, seems poised to regain some of his early career form this season, as he’s scoring at a near point per game clip and doing so with his usual mix of strength along the boards and absurd scoring prowess. While he’s certainly had some quality line mates, there’s no doubting that this underrated hockey player remains one of the most decorated snipers currently playing in the NHL.
http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=751550 Source: Kings.nhl.com