A post on a forum I check out from time to time (HFBoards.com which has some great topics come up from time to time and has one section devoted to fan thought up trades which rarely are thought provoking and often bad enough that reading them and the replies that come are humorous and entertaining) recently had a post where the topic of discussion was the top 20 NHLers with the biggest impact on the sport in the last 20 years.
This was a great topic as it left so much open to interpretation. The top 20 "impacts on the game" ... so how was impact to be defined? Did that mean those that had memorable events such as Bertuzzi/Moore should be considered because that was one of the more memorable events even though a singular event and negative at that? Did that mean those with singularly great seasons such as Selanne's seemingly unbreakable record of 76 goals as a rookie get into the conversation? Is it players that were only truly stars? The topic created some great replies and some great lists based on a number of different criteria based on how each person interpreted what it meant to "impact" the game.
For this post I am going to put forth my list of players, hoping to stick to around 15-20 as well, which I think of when I think of my time watching over the last 15 years or so. I chose 15 years as opposed to 20 as I really wasn't watching in the early 90s so I can't truly consider that. I am also going to make this list as players that are considered "greats" and people that come to mind as such for me during that time and I'll try to give some reasoning for each as well. These will be positive impacts, not one time negatives like Bertuzzi/Moore.
Joe Sakic - We'll start the list with one of my favorites ever. Sakic was an incredible leader and great on both ends of the ice. He was also clutch when needed and scored many big goals in his career and holds the record for playoff overtime goals. MVP of the '96 playoffs he also was MVP of the '02 Olympics where he won gold with Canada, and through his career he was voted into 13 All-Star games. Considered to have had one of the best wrist shots in the game, and a winner through his career, he truly earned the name "Super Joe."
Patrick Roy - "Saint Patrick" is widely considered to be the best goalie of all time or at least one of those to be in that debate. His butterfly style has become the standard among goalies and he is an idol for many young netminders. A winner throughout his career he started with a Cup victory and Conn Smythe trophy in his rookie year after carrying Montreal to victory. Since then he has gone on to win 4 Cups and is the only player to ever win 3 Conn Smythes. Still with many records to his name, one of the greatest if not the greatest goalie ever certainly belongs on this list.
Peter Forsberg - When you score a goal that means so much to your country that they put you on a postage stamp that can certainly be something difficult to live up to. However for "Peter the Great" he not only got that honor but also lived up to it until injuries derailed his career. However during the years that he was able to play he was one of the most dominant players in the game. Great everywhere on the ice he could control the game, had immense skill, but played with fire and passion few can match. That heart and soul along with the numerous awards and medals and the two Cups are what set him head and shoulders above others such as Lindros who also had skill but shortened careers because of injury. Forsberg could have been one of the best ever had he not had injury after injury, but while healthy he was one of the best in the game.
Nicklas Lidstrom - Lidstrom has to be in the talks when it comes to best defenseman ever. Given the extremely high level of play he has been at throughout his career, and that his career is about to enter a 20th season with Detroit, there is no question he has been the best defensemen of his time at the very least. Four Stanley Cups, 12 All-Star appearances 10 of which were first team, Conn Smythe, Olympic Gold, and an incredible 7 Norris Trophies as the league's best defenseman. There is no question in my mind, even as a Wing, that he has been incredible and will be one of many from this era to live in the game long past his retirement.
Stevie Yzerman - Everything that Sakic was to Colorado Yzerman was to Detroit. So much alike on so many levels beyond both being number 19, yet going head to head in the NHL as rivals on teams that hated each other. Yzerman was a true winner and great in the game as well, and was a great leader also. 10 time All-Star, 3 time Cup champion, Gold medal ... he also has done it all. Since retiring he has won a Cup as part of the Detroit management team as well and recently has taken the GM role in Tampa and looks to have that team ready to compete in coming years.
Jaromir Jagr - There is no denying just how much talent this guy had, and perhaps still has and we'll see as he returns to the NHL with Philly this year. However looking back at his career and you can see his impact everywhere. 15 straight years of 30 or more goals, 5 years of more than 100 points and 5 Art Ross Trophies, Cup victories, medals, awards galore, well over a point per game regular season and playoffs, and 8 All-Star games with 7 being first team. The guy was a powerhouse in the game without question.
Sydney Crosby - In the forums about the only debate on if Crosby deserved on the lists or not was "has he played long enough". To me that really isn't relative given he played 1/4 of those 20 years and in mine the percentage is even larger. Given the amount of hype about this kid before he was ever drafted and leading up to the "lottery" draft resulting from the lockout which left every team a potential destination he already was a household name before playing in the NHL. After the draft he re-vitalized Pittsburgh and became a top player in the league and now is considered perhaps the best currently playing. He's captain to his team, won a Cup already, had the Gold Medal winning goal in the latest Olympics, and is without question the biggest "face" for the NHL and the media constantly covers him. Without question between his incredible skill and the over the top coverage of his entire career he deserves to be on this list.
Dominic Hasak - Nicknamed the "Dominator", Hasak was perhaps one of the most skilled goalies to play during the time. What he didn't have was the team to carry on his back. Don't get me wrong, he did some great things with teams that had less talent than others and nearly led the Sabres to a championship. His numbers through his career are outstanding and actually improved in the playoffs and even had a save percentage of .930 or better in 5 years in a 6 year stretch. His unorthodox style which can't be duplicated often got described as "flopping around to make the save" but whatever you call it, it worked. Six Vezinas as league best goalie, league MVPs, and many All-Star appearances. Only one Cup late in his career with Detroit is the only thing holding him back in the all-time best discussions.
Martin Brodeur - How many years would a goalie have to have averaging 30 wins a season to pass Brodeur for all time wins even before he adds to that total this year? The answer is an astounding 21 seasons. Brodeur is without a doubt going to have his name on that record for a long time. Just that alone, the fact that a goalie even at 35 wins a season for 15 straight years would be 100 wins short of where Brodeur sits now is incredible enough. Sure he played on some good teams and behind some great defenses but that is a mind-boggling number of wins and his other lifetime stats are pretty good as well such as his 2.01 GAA during his playoff career (oh, he owns the record for playoff shutouts too by the way). A ten time All-Star, three Cups, Olympic Golds, four Vezinas ... there is no question Marty is one of the greats and deserves the talk about being one of the best.
Scott Stevens - Having spent 22 years in the league Stevens was a presence and great competitor. During those 22 years he never had a minus +/- season, something which speaks volumes for the team, yes, but also for his great abilities on the ice. Not known for his offense, rather Stevens is remembered as an opponent respected but feared because of his ability to lay out momentum changing hits at any moment. To go along with 13 All-Star appearances he also has his name on the Cup 3 times, once earning MVP honors. He also has more penalty minutes than any other player in the Hall of Fame.
Alex Ovechkin - Having entered the league the same time as Crosby he also is only just begun his career. However six seasons in he is averaging over 100 points a season, having 614 points in 475 games, including 106 points his rookie season. While he has yet to win the big one, or Olympic gold, he does have World Championship gold and a number of other awards already including rookie of the year, 5 first team All-Star selections and 6 appearances, 2 Hart and Lester awards each (MVP and Most Outstanding Award), 2 Art Ross and 1 Richard trophy. On top of that he is one of the best in the game today, in the conversation with Crosby, and where Crosby is recognized perhaps for more leadership and two way play there is no question Ovechkin plays more physical and has intense drive and passion for the game that energizes any who watch him.
Chris Pronger - The big, tough two-way defenseman has had success follow him wherever he has gone. He is loved and hated with little middle ground but there is no doubt that he is very good on the ice whichever end the puck may be in. His presence and skills have led two a Norris, a Hart, 6 All-Star selections, Gold Medals in the Olympics and World Championships and also each year after being acquired by a new team he has led them to the Cup Finals. First in Edmonton where the team lost, then in Anaheim where he got his first and thus far only Cup victory, and then in Philly just a couple years ago where the team snuck in on the final day of the regular season, then upset the Devils, came back from down 3-0 in the series against Boston to win, then defeat Montreal before finally falling to the Hawks in the Finals. No matter your feelings about him and his questionable thugishness there is no question he is a very skilled player and he makes the teams he plays on better.
Mark Messier - While his skills may have slowed near the end of his career Messier makes this list because of the career he had and because of the incredible leadership and presence that he had. There are few hockey fans who don't know him and one thing in particular that he did. During the '94 Finals down 3 games to 2, he guaranteed victory for his Rangers. Plenty of players make claims but Messier came out in the next game and backed it up with an incredible game and a natural hat trick. Then he finished the series with the game winning goal, his 6th Cup Championship. He also played in a total of 15 All-Star games with the last coming in 2004, the first being 22 years earlier in 1982. He finished 2nd in games played and 2nd to only Wayne Gretzky in total points, capping of a historic career playing. He still can be seen having an effect in the game on different awards and on TV yet today.
Mike Modano - Despite the Stanley Cup Championship and the 8 All-Star appearances it is more what Modano has done for US Hockey than anything else that puts him on this list. One of the best American born players, he is remembered for being the face of US Hockey for many years, nearly on par with Sakic and Yzerman during his best years. He had an great two-way game and was the face of the Stars for many, many years. Still playing last year he has the record for most goals and most points, both regular season and playoff, by any American born player.
Teemu Selanne - The "Finnish Flash" is a player who has been consistently great throughout his career. A 10 time All-Star and 3 time Rocket Trophy winner, he broke into the league with a record 76 goals and 132 points, both likely to stand a long time. He has since gone on to score over 600 goals never seeming to slow with age and is a true testament to consistent scoring prowess.
Ray Bourque - Having played 21 years with the Bruins and then 2 with Colorado Bourque is one of the great steady defensemen of the era. While nearly a point per game defenseman, a feat itself, he is also very good in his own end. He is well known for being loyal to a Bruins team and fanbase for over two decades before going to try to win the Cup with a contender, that trip ending with Joe Sakic turning without raising the Cup and handing it to him to be hoisted after defeating the Devils in 7 games. Beyond this one historic moment, Bourque's career shines own its own. 13 first team All-Star selections and 6 second team selections should speak volumes, and that represents every year he played in the league other than two in which no games were held those years. He finished his career with the record for points and goals for a defenseman and won five Norris Trophies to go with the one Cup win. An All-Star every year he played says it all though.
Brendan Shannahan - Shanny was a premier power forward in his days. The only player with over 600 goals (19 consecutive 20+ goal seasons) and 2000 penalty minutes, he is also a member of the Triple Gold club having won World gold, Olympic gold, and the Stanley Cup which he won three times. Despite being a winner and a guy who was not only tough to play against but very skilled, reliable, and durable he didn't win a lot of awards, but he had an incredible career as a power forward and two-way player. It didn't end when he hung up the skates though as he is a representative for the league and its players and was a key piece during the year of the lockout in negotiations. He has been a great voice for the league and seeking to improve the play and the player safety as he continues to work til this day as a Vice President of Hockey and Business Operations within the league.
There are many others that were considered and could make other people's lists. Guys such as Scott Neidermeyer, Ryan Miller, Rob Blake, Zdeno Chara, Martin St Louis, Al MacInnis and so many others. Over the past 15 years or so there have been a great number of players that have left their mark on the game. My list is far from perfect and certainly incomplete, and some on there wouldn't be on lists for others, but it is a list and that's all I really set out to do, is to make a list of names that came to mind for me and perhaps start conversations and thoughts in others about the great names that we've had the pleasure to see through the years.
No comments:
Post a Comment