Who is the greatest hockey player of all time

[Medford Bronco]

Who is the greatest all around hockey player of all time? :beer:

This was very difficult, but I chose Bobby Orr as he changed the game. An interesting anecdote is that in Jean Beliveau's book he said just that.
Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard and Wayne Gretzkey are great players, but before Orr a defenseman would score 30-50 pts per game. Orr scored over 100 pts 6 times and I believe since he retired it may have been done one or two times by Paul Coffey. :beer:

[Gyro]

I actually think Bobby Orr is the best, closely followed by Mario Lemieux.



Now, before you start calling me an idiot and saying that Gretzky is the best by far, consider this. Bobby Orr had serious knee surgury and his career ended when he was 30, in that time he won the Norris Trophy 8 consecutive times, he also won the scoring title twice, as a defenceman!!! :eek: He also won the NHL MVP 3 times, the Hart trophy for those who don't know.


And as far as Mario Lemieux he had tons of injuries in his career, won 3 MVPs and the Calder trophy. He scored over 650 goals in the NHL and also fought, something Orr did as well, and another thing Wayne never did. I'm a big supporter of players who fight to defend their team and big stars like Mario and Bobby to fight is real class, I was out of my seat last year in the Cup Final when Iginla and Lecavalier went at it, brilliant!!! :beer:

[Medford Bronco]

I actually think Bobby Orr is the best, closely followed by Mario Lemieux.



Now, before you start calling me an idiot and saying that Gretzky is the best by far, consider this. Bobby Orr had serious knee surgury and his career ended when he was 30, in that time he won the Norris Trophy 8 consecutive times, he also won the scoring title twice, as a defenceman!!! He also won the NHL MVP 3 times, the Hart trophy for those who don't know.


And as far as Mario Lemieux he had tons of injuries in his career, won 3 MVPs and the Calder trophy. He scored over 650 goals in the NHL and also fought, something Orr did as well, and another thing Wayne never did. I'm a big supporter of players who fight to defend their team and big stars like Mario and Bobby to fight is real class, I was out of my seat last year in the Cup Final when Iginla and Lecavalier went at it, brilliant!!! :beer:

Great assessment for a even for a Leafs fan. :laugh: J/K Al you are right on and the Leafs will be excellent next year with their new coach who got my Canes to overachieve in 2002. That team had no business being in the finals. This years team they have is so much better it is not even funny. I just hope they can finish the job. :beer:

[WorstTrollEver]

I actually think Bobby Orr is the best, closely followed by Mario Lemieux.



Now, before you start calling me an idiot and saying that Gretzky is the best by far, consider this. Bobby Orr had serious knee surgury and his career ended when he was 30, in that time he won the Norris Trophy 8 consecutive times, he also won the scoring title twice, as a defenceman!!! :eek: He also won the NHL MVP 3 times, the Hart trophy for those who don't know.


Great points about Bobby Orr. Fantastic summation. However, I voted for Gretzky because the guy holds something like 50 or 60 NHL records.

IMO, Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak won't be broken in my lifetime and neither will Gretzky's 92 goals in one season.

[Southstander]

Two Words MR HOCKEY. Altough the played for the Chicken Wings I have to give him props for playing in think 6 diffent decades.

[Medford Bronco]

For the person who picked "other" please specify

[Medford Bronco]

Who is the greatest all around hockey player of all time? :beer:

This was very difficult, but I chose Bobby Orr as he changed the game. An interesting anecdote is that in Jean Beliveau's book he said just that.
Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard and Wayne Gretzkey are great players, but before Orr a defenseman would score 30-50 pts per game. Orr scored over 100 pts 6 times and I believe since he retired it may have been done one or two times by Paul Coffey. :beer:

If I had to pick a #2 I would go with Mario Lemieux. He is the only player who could be retired for 4 years and come back and score 75 points in 45 or so games in 2000. He was the most gifted IMHO.

As for the others they are all great and them being in the HOF shows it. Messier was a beast in the playoffs and almost single handedly helped the Rangers to the Cup in 94

[MileHighStud]

I have to go with the GREAT ONE. I am a kings fan who else do you think I am going to pick?

[NJBRONCOSFAN]

Gosh I wanted to go with Messier...really i did...the homer in me was begging me to click that button!

But I went with Gretzky...in a class by himself.

[y2cragie]

I dont think anyone changed a teams whole plan like Gretzky. Lemuix is a close second, But I truely think Gretzky is a whole differant level of play and skill.