Eklund: Election Day Fun: Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, Crosby or Orr.? (and why?)

Tocchet

Christian Ruutu, because he leads the league in U's.

66 Mario Lemieux

Most Talented player EVER. The gifts he had were undeniable. As for stats, his incredible numbers were tampered down by debilitating back injuries and cancer (Hodgkins Lymphoma). He returned to play in most of the clutch and grab era.
Put 66 in 99 shoes and see how many ridiculous seasons he puts up.
66 entered the league playing with the 84 pens and Warren Young and Bob Errey as wingers. 99 played with Kurri, Coffey, Messier, Anderson and so much talent. Lemieux had Rob Brown as his most talented winger for several seasons and still put up insane numbers. Gretzky had the stats, but Lemieux in his prime orchestrated the game like no other I've ever seen. Most will argue 99 was "better". I can't go there. 99 put up insane numbers, but 66 had more raw talent and I believe would have put up numbers close to what 99 did were it not for debilitating injuries and the differences between the Pens and Oilers of the 80s.

#88 as he was the total package.

Tony deangelo…. Cause f u

Alexei Ponikarovsky. Name a better suitcase.

Christian Ruutu, because he leads the league in U's.
- GalacticStone

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen says hi.

I have to go with Prime Gretzky. Putting up 200+ points a year and 4 Cups is pretty good.
It's a tough question though because they've all had success and were dominant in their prime.

Mario Lemieux is the greatest/most skilled player to ever wear an NHL sweater, even Gretzky said as much.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen says hi.
- mjones242

Holy poop, 3 U's and 6 mother-f'ing K's. That's impressive.

Howe would be better than Trudeau........

#88 as he was the total package.
- login

If he could have held to pre-concussion standards for longer career, he'd absolutely be on this list and easily defendable as the best ever.

BOBBY ORR - guy redefined what it is to play that position and is the only defenseman to win the scoring title.

Wayne and Mario tho. Man oh man. Lucky to have lived in this/those era(s).

Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr, Crosby, Howe.
Watch the 1987 Canada Cup. Gretzky was the best player, Lemieux the best scorer. Orr might have been the most dominant, but didn't play long enough. Crosby team success will always keep his perception ahead of McDavid, but offensively McDavid is more dominant. Howe had amazing longevity, but his peak was never dominant. May God-Emperor Barron rule for eternity.

I like Ike

Mario Lemieux was the most talented hockey player to ever lace up the skates. But for a bout with cancer, constant back problems throughout his career, and a brief period of retirement, Ovi would be chasing Lemieux, not Gretzky, for the all-time goal scoring leader in NHL history.

The correct answer is Gretzky.

Hasek should be on the ballot instead of Crosby.

Does Mike Bossy belong on the top 10 all time list?

he does have most goals per game played for those that scored at least 200 goals


also where does the first goalie rank on the list, and who is it?
hasek?
roy?
brodeur?
sawchuk?

Lemieux was the Leonardo DaVinci of Hockey
Gretzky is the hockey equivalent of a Jedi Master
Crosby would scale Everest for a lowly assist in a blowout game
Orr was a honey badger who would hunt lions on their turf
Howe could intimidate Godzilla

Lemieux was the Leonardo DaVinci of Hockey
Gretzky is the hockey equivalent of a Jedi Master
Crosby would scale Everest for a lowly assist in a blowout game
Orr was a honey badger who would hunt lions on their turf
Howe could intimidate Godzilla
- greenyone

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.

Does Mike Bossy belong on the top 10 all time list?

he does have most goals per game played for those that scored at least 200 goals


also where does the first goalie rank on the list, and who is it?
hasek?
roy?
brodeur?
sawchuk?
- homiedclown

Bossy only played 752 games and didn't come close to Gretzky or Lemieux numbers in the same seasons. Hasek and Roy are two of the most dominant goalies of all time.

If he could have held to pre-concussion standards for longer career, he'd absolutely be on this list and easily defendable as the best ever.

BOBBY ORR - guy redefined what it is to play that position and is the only defenseman to win the scoring title.

Wayne and Mario tho. Man oh man. Lucky to have lived in this/those era(s).
- coohill

1987 Canada Cup 1st PP unit:

Messier - Gretzky - Lemieux

Coffey - Bourque

There will never be a better 5-man unit.

Ever.

also where does the first goalie rank on the list, and who is it?
hasek?
roy?
brodeur?
sawchuk?
- homiedclown

George Hainsworth.

So dominant, they had to change the rules.

1987 Canada Cup 1st PP unit:

Messier - Gretzky - Lemieux

Coffey - Bourque

There will never be a better 5-man unit.

Ever.
- Atomic Wedgie

That is a lethal lineup.