Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022 revision of our top Washington Nationals.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, Washington was one of the worst teams in baseball, and the only player they had they improved his rank, was traded during the season.

As always, we present our top five, which was not affected by the last season:

1. Gary Carter

2. Tim Raines

3. Max Scherzer

4. Andre Dawson

5. Steve Rogers

You can find the entire list here.

Outfielder, Juan Soto, who was traded to San Diego during the season, moved to #14 from #17.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 170 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 174 Cup Points:  42 Games, 33.7 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 8.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 30.1 PER, 7.6 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

Doncic is still at number #1, but is he is still the MVP front-runner?  The man at #2 is staking a claim for that.  The European star is currently leading the NBA in Points per Game (33.7) and is 4^th in Assists per Game (8.8).  The Mavericks will go as far as Doncic can take them.

2. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 167 Points:  44 Games, 31.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 24.8 PER, 6.6 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Tatum moves up to number #2, and for many is the current front runner for the NBA MVP.  He has never finished with a PPG over 30, but he has that currently (31.2).

3 (Tie). Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 155 Cup Points:  41 Games, 25.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 9.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 32.3 PER, 9.2 WS.  (#5 on last ranking)

The “Joker” has been great lately, and we know someone wants to get that third Cup!  He is currently leading the NBA in PER (32.3), VORP (5.2), Box Plus/Minus (13.1) and Win Shares (9.2).

3 (Tie). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 155 Cup Points:  42 Games, 30.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 26.8 PER, 6.8 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be an All-Star this year, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  How great will this Canadian be?

5. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, 153 Cup Points:  39 Games, 29.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 26.8 PER, 6.4 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

The Nets were on fire, and Durant was posting his best numbers over the past three years.  K.D. is now on the injured list with an MCL injury, and will miss a month, that will cost him the MVP and of course, the NIHOF Cup.  He dropped three spots from out last update.

6 (Tie). Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 148 Cup Points:  35 Games, 31.0 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 27.1 PER, 4.5 WS. (#4 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP has missed his last five games due to injury, and is dropping in the standings.

6 (Tie). Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 148 Cup Points:  34 Games, 33.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 30.9 PER, 6.1 WS.  (#9 on last ranking)

Embiid is currently second in Points per Game (behind Doncic), but is currently dealing with a foot injury.

8. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 146 Cup Points:  34 Games, 27.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 23.7 PER, 4.1 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Morant is the face of the Grizzles, and he is posting similar numbers from last year, when he took Memphis to the next level.

9. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 140 Points:  47 Games, 24.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 20.8 PER, 5.4 WS. (#10 on last ranking)

Randle makes his first appearance this year in the top ten, and currently has a higher PPG (24.4), as his All-Star year two years ago (24.1).

10. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 139 Points:  42 Games, 27.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0. BPG, 21.5 PER, 3.6 WS. (not on last ranking)

Young returns to the top ten, and is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad.  

Boston’s Jaylen Brown drops off of the top ten.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 170 Cup Points.

There's a buzz of excitement to warm the cold January air as the National Football League
season prepares to move into its playoff rounds. Results from the regular season are now in
the books, with the best-performing teams progressing to the next phase, leaving the rest
behind to mull over their shortcomings. A frantic few weeks lie ahead, but which teams will
make it through to the season-defining match?

Football fans can have their say on the winner of each fixture with pre-game and in-play
betting available at the top sportsbooks. Those looking for a bet that lasts a little longer can
look ahead and predict the eventual Super Bowl champion. The team, they believe, will go all
the way to the history books. There is plenty of value to be found, especially if you decent to
oppose the market leaders with a bet on a plucky underdog. But which team is worth backing,
and where will you find the best NFL gambling odds?

This article explains all, bringing football fans and sportsbook bettors onto the same page.
We present the current betting and how it relates to the form shown by the top teams in this
campaign. There are one or two surprises to be found and no lack of value. This year's Super
Bowl will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday 12th, February.
That means time is running out to grab your share of the free bets offered. Keep reading for
details on how to land a welcome bonus free bet on the NFL using your smartphone.

Kansas leads the way

According to bookmakers, Kansas City is now the most likely team to win the Super Bowl.
That's an important shift and something worth keeping in mind when preparing your
predictions, as the betting has changed since the regular season finished. Traders have altered
their views on the Super Bowl, moving from the Buffalo Bills to Kansas. But why did they
do that when Buffalo is still in the running?

Only recently, all the hype focused on the Bills, but the team has yet to live up to its billing.
Buffalo has done everything expected of them by fans so far this season, but there can be no
denying they have been less than impressive. The favorites huffed and puffed their way
through games at times and have yet to look anywhere near as impressive as their rivals in
Kansas. The stats of the two teams after the conclusion of the regular season tell the story of
why traders changed their minds.

Kansas topped the AFC West with their stats showing 14 wins and three defeats, with 496
points scored and 369 conceded. They finished clear of a chasing pack led by the Los
Angeles Chargers, who failed to land a glove on the Chiefs in one-way traffic despite putting
up a fight. Despite how impressive Kansas was in the regular season, there's more to come
from this side. They are yet to hit top gear, encouraging supporters as they prepare to follow
their side into the extended season.

Buffalo started the season as the team to beat, with traders picking them as their favorite at
every major sportsbook. So far, they have barely put a foot wrong and comfortably won the
AFC East, losing just three of their games. The Bills scored fewer points than Kansas with
455 but had a much better defense, conceding 286 points in the campaign. That sturdy
backline will be required in the later rounds and could be the difference between winning the
Super Bowl and watching as spectators.

Bonuses and promotions

The leading bookies offer all new players who sign up for an online betting account, make
their first deposit, and wager an attractive welcome bonus. Register today, and you'll qualify
for a free bet equal to your first deposit and wager. Ready to claim your share?

When joining a bookie to bet on the NFL or the winner of the Super Bowl, we advise reading
the terms and conditions on the app. Doing so will ensure you understand what's expected of
you as a customer and the options available when making a withdrawal.

If you had asked us in 2006, we would have said there is no need for another individual hockey award.  We were wrong.

In the 2006/07 Season, five players were honored monthly as selected by the NHL based on qualifications, with Mark Messier deciding the recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award.  Those monthly winners were Brendan Shanahan (New York Rangers), Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks).  The year after, it was changed to being a yearly award.

There is no better player to name this after than Messier.  He is the only player to lead two NHL teams (Edmonton and New York) to a Stanley Cup as their captain.

The results are as follows:

There are currently five former Mark Messier Leadership winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with four entering, yielding a percentage of 80.0. 

As this award has never been a repeat winner, the percentage by year remains the same.

The following are the past players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and have been enshrined.

2007:  Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings, Defense.  0 Goals, 11 Assists, 11 Points, +11, 3.3 Point Shares.

At age 45, Chelios had been a leader for decades, and despite his age, he was in the NHL for three more seasons.  The American Defenseman had won three Norris Trophies, was a five-time First Team All-Star, and won three Stanley Cups, one with Montreal and two with Detroit.  It is hard to debate that this award did not get off to a perfect start.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

2008:  Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  32 Goals, 46 Assists, 78 Points, +17, 9.8 Point Shares.

This was Sundin’s penultimate year in the NHL and his last with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  A Maple Leaf since 1994, Sundin was a leader on the ice since day one and was Toronto's best player for over a decade.  He had previously been a Second Team All-Star twice.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

2009:  Jarome Iginla:  Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  35 Goals, 54 Assists, 89 Points, -2, 9.5 Point Shares.

Iginla was not just Calgary's leader but had been the Flames best player for years.  This was his third First Team All-Star season, and seven years before, he was the winner of both the Art Ross and Lester B. Pearson Awards.  Iginla would later play for Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado, and Los Angeles.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2013:  Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators, Right Wing.  10 Goals, 16 Assists, 26 Points, +1.  2.7 Point Shares.   

Alfredsson was in his 17^th and final year as an Ottawa Senator, and while he couldn't lead them to a Stanley Cup, he was the leader on many good Senator teams.  He played one more year in Detroit and scored 1157 career Points.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

2012:  Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes, Right Wing.  22 Goals, 28 Assists, 50 Points, -8, 5.0 Point Shares.    

Since the franchise relocated from Winnipeg to Phoenix, Shane Doan was the franchise's best and most important player when they were in Arizona.  Doan led the Coyotes to a Conference Final this year, and he was with Phoenix for his entire 21-year career.

Eligible since 2020.  Ranked #58 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:

2011:  Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins, Defense.  14 Goals, 30 Assists, 44 Points, +33, 10.0 Point Shares. 

A Second Team All-Star this year, Chara was the Norris Trophy winner two years previous, and he was a First Team All-Star and Second Team All-Star twice before.  Chara led by example, and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup this year, mainly on what the big man did.

Eligible in 2025.

2014:  Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings, Right Wing.  15 Goals, 12 Assists, 27 Points, +7, 3.1 Point Shares. 

Dustin Brown helped lead the Kings to a Stanley Cup in 2012 and did it again this season.  Brown was an All-Star in 2009.

Eligible in 2025.

2018:  Deryk Engelland, Vegas Golden Knights, Defense.  5 Goals, 18 Assists, 23 Points, +6, 4.5 Point Shares.

For the second year in a row, the Mark Messier Leadership Award winner also won the King Clancy.  Engelland was the first Golden Knight to win this trophy, but with all due respect to the former Defenseman, he is the least likely Mark Messier Award winner to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Eligible in 2023.

The following are the players who have won the NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award and are still active.

2010:  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  51 Goals, 58 Assists, 109 Points, +15, 14.7 Point Shares

At age 23, it will be difficult to envision another Mark Messier Leadership Award winner to be younger than Sidney Crosby.  Crosby is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion.  This season, Crosby was in his fifth NHL season and was a Second Team All-Star and a Rocket Richard winner.  He was already a Hart Trophy winner and would be again four years later.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2015:  Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, Center.  28 Goals, 38 Assists, 66 Points, +30, 9.4 Point Shares.

This season Toews led Chicago to their third (and his) Stanley Cup win of the decade.  The Center had previously been named a Second Team All-Star (2013), a Conn Smythe winner (2010), and a Frank J. Selke Trophy winner (2013).

35 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

2016:  Shea Weber, Nashville Predators, Defense.  20 Goals, 31 Assists, 51 Points, -7, 9.5 Point Shares.

Weber had been the core player in Nashville for years by this time, and before this Mark Messier Award, he was twice a First Team All-Star, twice a Second Team All-Star, and had five top-four finishes for the Norris Trophy.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Vegas Golden Knights.

2017:  Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets, Left Wing.  26 Goals, 25 Assists, 51 Points, -4, 5.9 Point Shares.

Foligno also won the King Clancy Award this year, marking the first time a Blue Jacket won.  

35 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2019:  Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators, Right Wing.  17 Goals, 13 Assists, 30 Points, -16, 1.9 Point Shares.

This is the first and, to date, only Mark Messier Leadership winner who split his award-winning season between two years.  Simmonds was dealt from Philadelphia to Nashville for their playoff run, primarily due to his overall contributions as a Flyer, though do not discount what he did as a Predator.

34 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2020:  Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames, Defense.  5 Goals, 26 Assists, 31 Points, +2, 5.4 Point Shares.

Giordano is a late bloomer, winning his first Norris Trophy at age 35 and setting personal statistical bests.   Giordano played most of his career with Calgary and was their leader for years.

39 Years Old, Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2021:  Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins, Center.  23 Goals, 25 Assists, 48 Points, +27, 6.9 Point Shares.

Bergeron is one of the best two-way players of his generation (if not the best) and was already a four-time Selke winner (he won a fifth a year after).  He won a Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and captured the King Clancy award in 2013.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Boston Bruins.

2022:  Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, Center.  19 Goals, 48 Assists, 67 Points, -6, 5.7 Point Shares.

Kopitar already anchored Los Angeles to two Stanley Cups (2012 & 2014), and the Slovenian Center added to his already ample trophy case (he had two Selkes and a Lady Byng) with the acquisition of the 2022 Mark Messier Leadership Award.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Kings.

The Mark Messier Leadership Award is not exclusive to superstars, but the character requirement is off the chart.