5 NHLers who have starred in Europe
Professional teams in Europe and Russia have given some NHL players an outlet and real competition for them to keep their skills sharp when, or if, the NHL lockout ends this season.
Some NHLers haven't adapted so well to the change. Others have thrived. Here's a look at five NHLers who are doing quite well overseas.
Tyler Seguin
He's the best player in Europe right now.
Coming off a season where he led the Boston Bruins in scoring, Seguin has taken his game to another level playing with Biel of the Swiss Elite League.
Whether it's the beautiful scenery in Switzerland he wakes up to everyday or the bigger ice surface that suites his skating style, there's something that agrees with the Brampton, Ont., native.
In just 20 games, he has recorded 20 goals and leads the team with 32 points.
While his American friends were celebrating Thanksgiving last weekend, Seguin recorded his third hat trick of the season in a 4-2 win over an SC Bern team featuring John Tavares.
See his latest scoring exploits here:
Evgeni Malkin
Not only is Malkin playing in his home country, he's in his hometown.
That's probably why he isn't holding back with Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League this season.
The reigning Art Ross and Hart Trophy winner has looked pretty impressive in the second-best league in professional hockey with 33 points in 24 games.
That's good enough for third in league scoring, four points ahead of St. Petersburg SKA's Ilya Kovalchuk. Edmonton's Nail Yakupov, the 2012 first overall pick, has 10 goals in 17 games with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.
Want to see some of Malkin's moves? Look at this Mario Lemieux-esque goal against Amur Khabarovsk:
Jaromir Jagr
Jagr has always been a special, one-in-a-generation-type player.
So it probably comes as no surprise to anyone that Jagr is tearing up the Czech Elite League at the age of 40.
Jagr has shown flashes of his younger self, leading Kladno, the team he owns, with 36 points in 22 games.
Take a look at the hat trick he scored in late October.
Daniel Briere
As someone who has represented Canada in many international competitions and has experienced one other lockout, Briere is used to playing on the bigger ice surface.
So it seemed natural for the Eisbaren Berlin of the German Elite League to come calling for the Philadelphia Flyers forward. While he doesn't lead the team in scoring, the Bears have to be happy with his 21 points in just 12 games.
Teammate Claude Giroux was having a solid season as well, with 19 points in nine games, but returned home last week to receive treatment for a neck injury.
See Briere give a few of his trademark fist pumps after a hat trick in October with the Polar Bears:
Paul Bissonnette
Seventy-two seconds. That's how long it took Bissonnette to score in his first game in the British Elite Ice Hockey League.
Some would argue Bissonnette doesn't even belong on this list — and they might be right. The EIHL's talent level is lower than many other leagues in Europe.
But let's give the Phoenix Coyotes forward a little credit.
Since arriving in Britain three weeks ago to play for the Cardiff Devils, he's scored six goals and 16 points in seven games. Aside from his on-ice exploits, he's also been an active user on his popular Twitter account, giving fans an insider's glimpse of the game overseas.