Best hockey player ever?

Question

Gordy Howe?

Answer 1

Wayne Gretzky

Has the records for most career goals, assists, and points; single season records for most goals, assists, and points; and career playoff records for most goals, assists, and points.

What more proof do you need?

Answer 2

You know this is one of those almost impossible to answer questions.

1st when you talk about someone like Wayne Gretzky, he never had to play like Gordie Howe or Bobby Hull did, where guys were trying to take his head off or score a goal while carryiing 2 defensemen on his back.

However I hope that noone ever compares the new NHLers to any of the past players. With the new rules, this is basketball on ice. If someone dares to compare a girl like Sidney Crosby to the likes of Bobby Hull or Gordie Howe or even a Guy Lafleur. I have one thing to say. Get a Clue!

Answer 3

Unbelievable,

Only a couple of people have said Lemieux. The guy had it all. Came back from Back Surgery, was still the best. Came back from CANCER!!!, was still the best. Came out of retirement, was still the best.

He outperformed Greztky in every season they played the same amount of games.

Gretzky got all his big seasons before the rules changed that stopped 4 on 4 hockey. They changed the rules back after Lemieux was done. Mario played with nobodies. Gretzky's Oilers won the Stanley cup AFTER he was gone. i.e. The REST of the Oilers were the best in the NHL WITHOUT him!!

The Penguins were a LAST place team without Mario...and they won 2 cups with him. The following year (93) they won the President's Trophy winning their final 17 Regular season games. All because of Lemieux.

Gretzky was winning voted trophys (especially the Hart) in years that Lemieux out performed him. Like in 88-89 when Lemieux got 31 more points, yet Gretzky got the Hart. Because Greztky helped the Kings go from the 3rd highest scoring team to the top scoring team. Yet the Kings remained one of the worst defencive teams after Gretzky arrived.

Gretzky was a GREAT hockey player, likely the second best ever. But Lemieux has got to be the most underrated player in history. As shown by his poor showing in this question.

Answer 4

Former Players: I believe that Wayne Gretzky is the best hockey player ever...only if you are considering the records he has broken and holds.

However, the best hockey player ever, for team spirit, effectiveness and leadership would definitely have to be either Howe or Orr. However, Lemieux is definitely a close third.

And I'm only adding this one because I have had the extreme pleasure of seeing him play. Oliwa. The polish fighter of the Calgary Flames when they had their run in '04. He didn't score many goals...but when he did...they were either game winners or the goal tying goal. And when he put up his fists and fought, it was the best part of the game. He was able to rally up the team and give them the extra energy and enthusiasm to win it.

Answer 5

Hockey is so different now that there is no way to say how effective Gordie would be. With the rules as they are now he would constantly be in the penalty box. Regardless of that the game is a million mph faster and when you see the old footage they are hardly moving. I'd put a team full of Wendel Clarke's or Cam Neely's up against anybody.

Answer 6

The answer is arguable... It is my opinion that the best hockey player ever was Vladimir Krutov or the Russian Red Army and Soviet Union hockey teams. Mario Lemieux is a close second followed by Wayne Gretzky, Guy LeFleur, etc...

Answer 7

If you define best by longevity, Howe was the best. If you
define it by offensive skills, it goes to Gretzky. If you define
it by Stanley Cup rings, the answer is Henri Richard.
Bobby Orr was arguably the best ever, because he was
among the best two way players of alltime. His Norris trophies,
plus the fact he is the only defenseman in NHL history to win
a scoring title. He revolutionized the way the hockey world
thought about defensemen. There hasn't been a defenseman
like him before or since he stopped playing in the NHL.

Answer 8

If you can play professionally for 5 decades (6 if you count a 1 game stint in 97 with the Detroit Vipers) you should definitely be considered the best ever

Mr. Hockey #1

GO WHALERS!!!

Answer 9

Gordie Howe was the best old school player

Stevie Yzerman for new school

Answer 10

Super Mario and Gretzky are #1 and #2. You can argue it either way, but they were the two most influencial players ever to have played the game.

Answer 11

Wayne Gretzky or Bobby Orr.

I am thinking Gretzky, The Great One, has a slight edge at being number one.