All time bests

[CerebusClones]

Just for fun, who are in your opinion the top 5 players at every position

Here are my picks:

Forwards:

1. W.Gretzky (not even a doubt)

2. M.Lemieux (more talented, but often played with bad teamsm and was often injured)

3. M.Dionne (most overseen player in history)

4. P.Esposito (fantastic, dominating player)

5. S.Yzerman (true leader and warrior, dominating throughout his whole career)

Defensemen:

1. B.Orr (Closest thing to Gretzky/Lemieux)

2. R.Bourque (simply dominating thoughout his long career at both end of the ice)

3. P.Coffey (offensively dominating, but had no idea what the word defense meant)

4. D.Harvey (not statistically that impressive, but was dominating the other dmen of his time)

5. C.Pronger (still has something to prove, but is simply so physically, offensively, and defensively dominant -- could pass Bourque as second best of all time if he avoids injuries)

Goaltenders:

1. D.Hasek (i'm hesitant to put him first because of his short career, but he's simply that good)

2. P.Roy (unbelievable, and long dominant career)

3. T. Sawchuk (shutouts leader, second for wins)

4. E. Belfour (similar to Roy, but on a shorter career)

5. G.Fuhr (one word... winner, another word... clutch)

[CerebusClones]

I forgot about Ken Dryden. He had a somewhat short career, but I still think he deserves to be there more than Grant Fuhr.

I I would change my fifth goaltender from Furh to Dryden.

[sakiqc]

Here are my picks:

Forwards:

1. M. Lemieux (more talented, successful even when playing with bad team and despite being often injured)

2. W. Gretzky (put the NHL on the market, wrote the NHL records book from A to Z)

3. M. Richard (built the fundation of the NHL, father of the generation of child hockey fans)

4. G. Lafleur (maybe most skilled hockey player)

5. J. Jagr (defined the superstar portrait of the new generation : size, anticipation, top-level skills... and bad attitude)

Defensemen:

1. B. Orr (redefined the dman job, 2 Conn Smythe, 8 Norris in a row)

2. R. Bourque (athletic model, great determination, pleasure to play, offensive habilities, 5 Norris)

3. D. Potvin (Great offensive dman, hard hitter, 4 Stanley Cups, 3 Norris)

4. N. Lidstrom (best european dman of all time, 2 Norris)

5. D. Harvey (7 Norris)

Goaltenders:

1. J. Plante (7 Vezina, 1 Hart.. a legend)

2. P.Roy (father of the 1st genaration of professional goalies. 3 Smythe, 3 Vezina, 5 Jennings)

3. D.Hasek (6 Vezina, weird drunk goalie.. but soo amazing to watch)

4. M.Brodeur (Best goalie in the generation following Roy. Should reach a very higher level than "the master")

5. T. Sawchuk (shutouts leader, second for wins, 4 Vezina)

[Krushing Komisarek]

Forwards:

1. Mario Lemieux-Take away injuries and give him guys like Coffey, Messier, Kurri and Anderson and he'd have the records. Maybe even 1000 goals and 3000 pts.

2. Wayne Gretzky-A very close second although he is definitely the most dynamic icon to ever play. He has more personality and interest to him off the ice and he's the superstar who changed the NHL. What a great player too.

3. Gordie Howe-Mr. Hockey has to be one of the most amazing and durable athletes ever. There's no doubt he set the standard for which Gretzky overcame.

4. Maurice Richard:hlogo:-From the blue line in, he was the most dominant player of all time. He had the most fierce determination to score once he got in the other team's zone. The first true icon of hockey who was bigger than hockey.

5. Jean Beliveau:hlogo:In any 70s-early 90s era, he'd have scored almost as well as Lemieux. The guy was the original Mario and perhaps the best captain, most classy and most well-respected men ever to play the game.

Left out: Mike Bossy, Marcell Dionne, Howie Morenz.

D-men

1. Bobby Orr-Needless to say, my pick for best of all time. He changed the game for defenseman and everyone else. How the f#ck did a defenseman score up 100 pt. and 40 goal seasons? Unbelievable, but he did it.

2. Doug Harvey:hlogo:--If not for him, Orr's style of play would not have been welcome by coaches into the NHL Defenseman were supposed to stay back and contribute very little offensively but he changed all that.

3. Eddie Shore-The best pure defensive d-man ever. He was rugged, tough and immovable and also the toughest man to ever play. He inflicted and received amazing amounts of punishment over a long career.

4. Ray Bourque-He remained one of the best two-way defenseman ever throughout his 22 years. An all time +/- only bested by Orr and Robinson (since the stats began tabulation in 1967-68). His amazing offensive skills (3 seasons of over 30 goals and 90 pts.) were coupled with uncanny ability to defend. He did it all year in, year out.

5. Paul Coffey-Second to Orr when it comes to offensive talent. Some think he might as well been a forward but his puckhandling and speed made for a double threat coming from a rearguard. His shot, moves and passes all contributed to him being the best offensive dynamo outside of Lemieux and Gretzky from 1980-93.

Left out: Denis Potvin, Larry Robinson:hlogo:, Red Kelly, Al MacInnis.

Goaltenders

1. Jacques Plante:hlogo:

2. Terry Sawchuk

3. Patrick Roy:hlogo:

4. Dominik Hasek

5. Glenn Hall

Left out: Ken Dryden:hlogo:, Georges Hainsworth, Bill Durnan:hlogo:, Frank Brimsek, Grant Fuhr, Martin Brodeur, Bernie Parent.

:-^

[CerebusClones]

Am I the only to believe that Marcel Dionne deserves more recognition?

If this guy had played for the Habs, he would have racked up an extensive list of awards, and he would have worn many rings on his fingers. His stats might also have been even better. I also believe people would mention him before other legends like Richard and LaFleur.

Unfortunately, he played mostly for LA, and went totally un-noticed his whole career. If he had played more games (like Messier or Francis), he might have had 2000 points.