I saw some twitter interactions today I found interesting. The topic was Mario Lemieux and it is a topic that is like catnip for me. There are very few Mario Lemieux hockey related things I can actively turn away from.
We all know how great Mario is. Personally, I think he is the best to ever play the game. I know others disagree, but searching YouTube highlights of the players in the running for best player should be evidence enough of who is best.
Whose game translates to any era? Who is actually shooting on real goaltenders? Who retired as the best in the sport, came back at 35, and put up a points per game average which is still better than any active player?
Mario did benefit from playing in the 1980’s, but his teams were trash for the most part and he was a one man show unlike some others during that time period. He also played through some of the most repressed offensive eras the league has ever seen and still put up obscene numbers despite the absurdity of the standard of officiating. He played against some of the best goaltenders of all-time and made them look like recreation players. If he was in his twenties right now there is no doubt he would be the best player in the league. He transcends generations and eras. Nobody has combined size, grace, skill, and toughness he has.
With Mario the issue was always health. It was the Kryptonite of his greatness. Whether it was cancer or a bad back we missed a ton of excellence in 66’s career. Here is a great look at it.
Mario Lemieux never played a full NHL season over the course of his injury-riddled career.
— Danny (@shireyirving) December 2, 2020
Here's a look at his 82-game point pace for every season he played. pic.twitter.com/r5A1AWr631
He’s amazing. These numbers are absurd. A player’s prime years are 24-26 and it wasn’t until he was 38 years old when he dipped below a 100 point scoring rate in a prorated 82 game season. Even then he was almost a point per game player. We talk about players in their thirties now being on the cusp of being sent to the glue factory these days.
Oh yeah, I don't even know what category to put that season in. Possible he was on pure adrenaline and couldn't have kept it up, but it's fun to project over 82 games. https://t.co/aVIf4F4DOF
— Matt Gajtka (GITE-kah) (@MattGajtka) December 2, 2020
To answer Matt, I know exactly what category to put Mario’s 1992-93 season in. It was the best individual season by a player in the NHL’s entire history, period. It is one thing to get off to the start Mario did that season and then have to step away because of health related reasons. The fact it was cancer and he needed radiation treatments takes it to a new level. The fact he came back the same season and did what he did is ludicrous. Absolutely ludicrous. He would have broken the individual records for a season if not for cancer. He would have done so when goaltenders were defensemen were competent. A big departure from the 80’s where I don’t even know what to call the goaltenders or defending from that era.
Mario’s 1992-93 season is fascinating and it deserves to be spotlighted by one of the best sports documentary vehicles of our time.
He'd never give the access that it would require, but I have said for years, that his '92-93 season would be an amazing 30-for-30 type documentary.
— Ryan Mance (@Mance_22) December 2, 2020
My first thought to any reference of that season was that in one stretch (post-cancer), he put up 50 points in 15 games.😲
Ryan is right! This season deserves a 30 for 30. Aside from Mario’s individual greatness overcoming cancer and being elite there were some other noteworthy story lines. You had the Penguins setting the record for most wins in a row with 17. The team lost Kevin Stevens to a brutal facial injury. You had the heartbreaking finish to the season preventing us from getting a potential Mario vs. Wayne Stanley Cup Final. A playoff run that would have seen Mario go toe to toe against his boyhood team Montreal Canadiens with Patrick Roy leading the way. You would have also had the Scotty Bowman storyline going against Montreal while trying to form a new dynasty. Oh what could have been.
Honestly though, I think Mario’s entire career deserves the full 30 for 30 treatment. Can you imagine how good it would be? People loved the Jordan documentary released this year. This could be the hockey version of it. Both players were objectively the greatest in their respective sport for long periods of time and many consider them the best ever in their respective sports. Both players started on struggling teams in the 80’s and had their greatness second guessed because of the lack of championships. Both players shut those critics up. Both players stepped away from the game at the height of their powers. Both came back and dominated. Both have a highlight resume second to none. Both players received standing ovations as a visiting player at MSG. Both players became owners (although Mario the only to be an owner AND player in major sports history). Additionally, Mario's work with his foundation for children's hospitals elevates him into a stratosphere on his own.
You could even structure it identically to The Last Dance Jordan documentary. Focus on the 1992-93 every episode like they did with Jordan's 1997-98 season. Mario's draft drama refusing to play for the Penguins and his first few years can be an episode. His rise as a star in the 80's can be one. When the Penguins started making trades for Paul Coffey and ramping up to contender can be one. The back to back Cups could be one episode or two. His last stanza before the first retirement could be an episode. Becoming an owner is its own episode. Then his comeback and Olympic glory could be one or two episodes. There is no shortage of material for Mario Lemieux's career arc.
Let’s go ESPN. You are starting to mend your relationship with the NHL by including games on ESPN+ service. There is a chance ESPN could get back into the league’s television package when the new bidding starts in the near future. Let’s make this documentary happen. It would be captivating and probably be among the best they have ever done and that is saying quite a lot considering their catalog to date.
Mario Lemieux 30 for 30. Make it happen.
Thanks for reading!