4 playmakers who should shoot the puck more often

Some players in the NHL aren't selfish enough. They may be great playmakers, but sometimes they don't utilize their elite shots with enough frequency.

Sidney Crosby, for example, shot the puck more this year than in recent seasons, and it paid dividends, as he scored a league-high 44 goals.

The following players shouldn't necessarily change their total philosophy, but if they were willing to shoot the puck more, it would benefit them and their team.

Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks

Getzlaf averaged just 1.86 shots per game this season despite having an absolute bullet like this tucked away in his arsenal:

Getzlaf has a laser and he's showing it off. #ANAvsEDM #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/tdDWFy3MMy

- NHL (@NHL) April 27, 2017

Everything about this shot was unreal. The release was quick, the accuracy was on point, and the velocity looked hard.

Getzlaf has just two 20-goal seasons since scoring 25 in 2008-09. That number would likely be much higher if he was willing to shoot at least 200 times a season.

Jason Spezza, Stars

Spezza is cut from the same mold as Getzlaf: big-bodied, right-handed shot, excellent passer, soft hands, and a very underrated shot:

Spezza is willing to shoot more frequently than Getzlaf, but Stars fans would probably love to see this slap shot put on display more often. Even from tough angles, he can he can beat goaltenders with this bomb.

Evgeni Malkin, Penguins

Is it a coincidence the one year Malkin won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player was his only season ever recording 300 shots on goal? He scored a career-high 50 goals that year.

During that magical season in 2011-12, Malkin averaged 4.52 shots per game. Since then, he hasn't averaged more than 3.19 shots per game in a single season.

Malkin is an incredible player, but it wouldn't hurt to utilize this clapper coming down the wing more often.

Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals

It's hard to fault Backstrom for always looking for the pass, considering his linemate, Alex Ovechkin, might just have the best shot of all time.

Backstrom set a career-high with 33 goals and 68 assists back in 2009-10. Unsurprisingly, his 222 shots were also a career high.

If Backstrom were to display this wicked wrister at least 2.5 times per game, it would make him a much more dangerous player, and might even open up more space for Ovechkin to shoot the puck.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

(Videos courtesy: YouTube/NHL)

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