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This should open some lively dog day debate. My lists based on scoring, two-way play, leadership, skins on the wall.
"JJ, you're a homer." There. I saved some of you some keystrokes.
Fire away and post your lists to the thread. Goalie lists tomorrow.
ALL TIME
1) Bobby Orr When you look at his numbers from the defense position, you are just stunned. And the thing is, he was a tremendous pure defender as well. Could skate like the wind. Also arguably one of the best pound for pound fighters who ever played. Just a complete hockey player from head to toe and would be the best player in the game today—by a wide margin. 2) Wayne Gretzky No one ever thought the game on his level. A predatory killer instinct. Led some great teams in the high-flying, high-scoring 80s. A close second to Orr. 3) Gordie Howe Complete hockey player, tough as nails. 4) Mario Lemieux Like Gretzky, his numbers were inflated by the era he played in. But he could do it all from the center position. 5) Bobby Hull In some ways revolutionized play from the forward position. One of the strongest, best-conditioned players ever. 6) Maurice Richard The Rocket was both a great skater and a great scorer. 7) Jean Beliveau He was Lemieux before Lemieux. 8) Eddie Shore Old time hockey. Won 4 Hart Trophies as a tough, resourceful blueliner 9) Doug Harvey The defensive rock of some great Canadien teams, won 7 Norris Trophies 10) Mark Messier He was Toews before Toews.
CURRENT
1) Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks For me, Toews slipped ahead of Crosby in the 2014 Olympics, when he was (yet again) Canada’s best player in all situations and the glue of the team. Crosby will get you the highlight film goal, Toews will get you the wins. 2) Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins A great offensive and all-around player. Can take over games. 3) Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins Size, speed, skill—no one can can make plays at top speed like he can. 4) Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Flawed, but still phenomenal at times. Can be a beast when his heart is in it. 5) Drew Doughty, LA Kings Has become the game’s premier two-way defenseman. Can take over games and series. 6) Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks Not the greatest captain in the game, but a truly exceptional all-around hockey player. 7) Steve Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning Best pure goal scorer in the game today. Has steadily improved his overall game. 8) Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks Probably the most flawed, and also in some ways the most gifted player on this list. Few d-men skate, pass and defend in space—and none do all three—as well. Also, his physical endurance is off-the-charts. 9) Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers At his worst, resourceful and creative. At his best, magical. Plays bigger than his size too. 10) John Tavares, New York Islanders Uber-talented offensive player. Not the greatest skater or defensive player, but still has upside.