TOP 5 SLOVAKIAN BORN PLAYERS IN THE NHL

We've already looked at the top American players, and top Finnish players currently in the NHL, now let's look to Slovakia. Everybody knows about the success the Czech Republic has had in international play recently, but here are some players that will help their neighbors (and former countrymen) make a run for the gold.

5. Miroslav Satan- Pittsburgh Penguins

Satan, a longtime member of the Buffalo Sabres, has 351 goals and 716 points in his 14 year NHL career. Originally from Topolcany, Czechoslovakia, Satan has 31 points in his first year with the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

4. Marek Svatos- Colorado Avalanche

With 25 points through 46 games this season, Svatos is pretty much on par with the rest of his career numbers. He set a career high with 32 goals in 2006-07, and was a plus-13 for Colorado last year. The Kosice, Czechoslovakia native has 19 career game winning goals in his fifth season with the Avs.

3. Marian Gaborik- Minnesota Wild

If only Gaborik could stay healthy! The third overall pick in 2000 from Trencin, Czechoslovakia, Gaborik is a scoring machine--when he's out on the ice. He's reached the 30 goal plateau five times in his career, including a career best 42 a year ago. If he leaves Minnesota as a free agent this offseason, look for an increase in numbers. Getting out from Jacques Lemaires' offense supressing style should benefit him greatly.

2. Marian Hossa- Detroit Red Wings
Hossa, originally from Stara Lubovna, Czechoslovakia, is one of the most gifted players in the entire NHL. He has 30 goals so far this season, his first in Detroit, and has a career high of 45, set back in 2002-03. The incredibly durable Hossa, who has played in at least 80 games in a season six times, has 329 goals in 12 seasons with Ottawa, Atlanta, Pittsburgh (briefly), and Detroit. So how could he not be number one? Well...

1. Zdeno Chara- Boston Bruins

Big Z, the tallest player to ever play in the National Hockey League (he's 6'9), is the captain of the NHL's best team, and is one of the best defensive players in the league right now. He means more to his team than anyone else on this list (Hossa included), which gives him the top spot. He has the NHL record for hardest slap shot, and is a plus-66 in 741 career games. Chara, originally from Trencin, Czechoslovakia (same as Gaborik), netted a career best 17 goals last season, and is on pace--with 12 through 54 games-- to equal or better that mark.

Other Slovaks to look out for in international play include Richard Zednick, Michael Handzus, Lubomir Visnovsky, Ladislav Nagy, and Andrej Meszaros.