What is the actual question? Who would make the best President? Because if it's best player it feels like this has been debated endlessly. It's Gretzky. The end.

I had the opportunity to see the players we are talking about but the greatest of all was Jean Beliveau a class act never seen before

The easy answer is Gretzky, but Howe for his time, and I still believe Orr was as great as anyone!!

Gretsky- not even close.

Who has the current Goal record? Who would have the points record if you took away all those goals. Longevity is a thing. Ovie is trying to break the Great One's record and is starting to sieze up. Nobody is going to beat his points record. And that's at a time when this sport was rougher, with less protection, and had way more clutch and grab tactics. I'm glad there are other choices, but it's hard to argue with the obvious.

Also, this is a terribly cliché poll and every hockey fan has already had this argument with everyone else.

While this question isn't so nuanced and opinion driven as say the top five rock drummers or guitarists.

It's still difficult.

Had Crosby played in Gretzky's era or vice versa? Had Lemieux played without cancer or during a time where holding was legal?

For me.
Gretzky
Orr
Lemieux
Crosby
Howe

99

Gretzky

99
- Zezel

Yes.

Gretsky- not even close.
- thechezman

well you were close to spell his name correctly



you should apply to be a blogger

Well it has been debated for years now 99or 66 to of the best I have ever seen . Mario was huge and could score with three guys hanging on him . Gretzky’s smoothness and anticipation of where the puck was going and his overall hockey IQ was superior to all. Sid is incredible but below the two true superstars … Orr was the first real offensive d-man in the NHL , he was so cool to watch when he was a Bruin but very sad as a Blackhawk. The thing I’ll say about Gordie (who I only saw live as a Whaler) he would kick all there asses , tough mofo !

Gretzky

Didn't want to start with if, however, if his most vital teammates hadn't gone down to career ending and career affecting injuries I think Bobby Clarke would have to be considered. He lost the best goalie in the league, half his defensive core and line mates through injury and alcoholism. Not to mention his Mark Messier. If Bernie Parent, Jim Watson, Bob Dailey, Rick MacLeish, Bill Barber and Reggie Leach had the injury free and longevity of the like in Gretzky's crew he would have had a lot more Cups and MVP's. He was born a hockey player for sure.

Didn't want to start with if, however, if his most vital teammates hadn't gone down to career ending and career affecting injuries I think Bobby Clarke would have to be considered. He lost the best goalie in the league, half his defensive core and line mates through injury and alcoholism. Not to mention his Mark Messier. If Bernie Parent, Jim Watson, Bob Dailey, Rick MacLeish, Bill Barber and Reggie Leach had the injury free and longevity of the like in Gretzky's crew he would have had a lot more Cups and MVP's. He was born a hockey player for sure.
- flyersfanman71

A great player, no doubt. Not in that tier though. He never exceeded 37 goals. If Bobby Orr stayed healthier longer, if Mario didn’t get cancer, if if if……

I am the most die hard Penguins fan in the world.

The top four players of all time, as far as I am concerned are Gretzky, Lemiuex, Orr and Crosby. And that is the order.

Wayne Gretzky is the only answer to this question. And Mario is the only player that comes close to him. It's unfortunate that Lemieux dealt with the adversity that he did during his career but the GOAT has to be based on results. And Wayne has those results, with points miles above anyone else and multiple cup championships.

I'd love to argue Lemieux but its Wayne.
- mkrisnosky

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This guy gets it ---- well stated!

Howe Number 9 by a mile.

Bobby Orr ... controlled the game like no other

I am sorry to see Augello & MeltZer gone.

Election Day Fun. That aged well.

I wonder what Lemieux couldve done if he didn’t get sick

So This is How Liberty Dies

My friends and I used to frame "the best ever" debate as an entire team of one player vs an entire team of another player, both at the peak of their game. It's interesting.

Of course you need a team to win, with many different types of players, but it's a fun way to measure players.

I.e. an entire team of Gretzkys vs an entire team of Lemieuxs... etc.

Suddenly names like Crosby, Forsberg, Messier, Lindross, Bergeron, Datsyuk, Trottier, etc etc move up the list.

For me it's probably the entire team of Crosbys that are the best, or Forsberg, but it's a great debate.