To wrap up our Cliff’s Notes player preview  for each position for the upcoming (and abbreviated)  NHL season, we’ll look at the left wings that you need to draft. One name you won’t see is Paul Bissonnette. Another name you won’t see listed is mine. Ironically, we will most likely finish the season with the same number of goals (0).

The left wing position has gotten deeper over the past few years with the emergence of some players into the elite scorer rankings. The marque name among the left wings was Alex Ovechkin, but as his stats have tapered off, he now looks up at a few names in the rankings.

5. Alex Ovechkin-Washington-As absurd as it may sound, this could well be the last time we see the Great Eight’s name on a top five list. This year will determine the rest of Ovechkin’s career. At a virtual crossroads after five consecutive years of declining stats, Ovechkin seemed to find a groove in last season’s playoffs. With center Nick Backstrom healthy after missing much of last year with a concussion, Ovechkin will have no excuses.

4. Daniel Sedin-Vancouver-The Sedin on the wing is just a year removed from a scoring title and a 100-plus point season. Last year a concussion prematurely ended his regular season. Though he returned for the Canucks brief playoff appearance, Daniel Sedin has had plenty of time to get the remaining bats out of his belfry. Playing on the top Vancouver line with his twin brother at center, don’t be surprised to see a Sedin or two atop the scoring table again.

3. Rick Nash-New York-Some people call Nash the most overrated player in hockey. What puzzles me is that Nash has been a star while playing for some of the worst NHL teams in the last decade. Now that Nash is in New York and surrounded by some top-shelf talent, he could break out at a level that we haven’t yet seen from the big left-winger.

2. Ilya Kovalchuk-New Jersey-Now that we know that the New Jersey Devil sniper is coming back from the KHL this week, Devils’ fans can breath a little easier. Kovalchuk had his most complete season last year and was a huge reason that New Jersey reached the Stanley Cup Finals. He may fall off a bit statistically as the Devils will struggle to replace Zach Parise, but Kovalchuk could well step into the captain’s role after assuming that role on his KHL side.

1. James Neal-Pittsburgh-Neal is a statistical beast, getting his scoring fix with stud centers Malkin and Crosby while remaining one of the more physical of the Penguin forwards. Neal is only 25-years old and is starting to reach his prime. He was a point-per-game player last year with 40 goals and 41 assists in 80 games.