If Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux were available in the same draft, who would you pick?

Answer 1

probably lemieux because gretzky's 45 and hasn't skated competitively in years

Answer 2

Great question! I would have to go with Lemieux on this one, simply because of talent. There is no debate as to Gretzky being a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Lemieux was the same thing, too. Gretzky had the teammates early on, of course. Lemieux was bigger, faster, and stronger than Gretzky (look it up sometime, Grezky had the strength of an average Seth Cohen-like teenager, routinely coming in last during strength tests in Edmonton). Gretzky had the uncanny on-ice vision, and so did Lemieux. The one area where Gretzky had an upper hand would be the injuries. Gretzky suffered one major injury during his career (severe back pain sidelined him in 1992-93), while Lemieux was star-crossed. Barring injury, Lemieux would have been the only player to have come close to surpassing Gretzky's marks.

Answer 3

I would have to go with Gretzky on this one. Lemieux was a fantastic passer and a great all around player but Gretzky was by far the smartest. He saw the play 3 times ahead than what was happening. You can argue that Gretzky had Kurri but Lemieux had Jagr for a while. Gretzky was the best player ever so, why not go with the best?

Answer 4

Gretzky.
Everyone says Gretzky had great players around him-what they don't tell you is he created them-with the exception of Messier. They say he played in less talented NHL-bull-the NHL was actually a pro league back then-fewer teams-more great teams. The guy played the best defense-If he couldn't set up a play or score he put the puck in area where the other team was no threat. Style points-he knew how to celebrate a goal. Lemieux was a great player too, but does he win a Cup without JAGR?

Answer 5

I would take Lemieux. If you look at just their point totals fans always go with Grtezky. Those totals were compiled with thinner talent throughout the league. Gretzky always had very good players with him also. What happened when he played for the Blues. Not as good as when he had Kurri, Tikkanen, Messier and such. Lemieux made players such a Warren Young and Robbie Brown 40 goals scorers. I do not think the same would be true if Gretzky played with those guys. Gretzky is one of the best of all time no doubt, but Lemiuex get the nod from me!!!!!

Answer 6

I would go for Lemieux for a few reasons.

1) I'm from Pittsburgh (so I am admitedly biased)

2) I think Lemieux would play better than gretzky with the current rules in the NHL.

3) Lemieux is more fun to spell. Although Gretzky is fun one too

Answer 7

Gretzky, for the same reason I would take Crosby over Ovechkin. Lemieux had more natural skill when it came to puck handling and sheer "wow look at that" sort of plays (a la Ovechkin). Gretzky, like Crosby saw the ice so well that he elevated those that played with him to an elite level. Both were amazing players, but at the end of the day Wayne was "The Great One".

Answer 8

Unpopular pick but I would take Lemieux over Gretzky for a team concept, Lemieux did one thing that Gretzky never did, he played defense. If the team needed an influx of butts in the seats I would take Gretzky as his flash, speed and scoring ability put butts in the seats!

Answer 9

I see this question as asking if both players were 18 who would you pick without knowing about what their careers or medical conditions would be like.

I would pick Mario Lemieux. He had a better junior career than Gretzky (by comparing stats up until they were 18 including Wayne's WHA stats). Every year with Laval he got about 100 points better than the previous year.

Answer 10

This is a great question. You've got to take Lemieux and here's why. Yes Gretzky has scored a lot more points (he's got more assists than any other playerin history) but you've got to look at the team he was on. not only was he linemates with Jari Kurri on the Oilers, but he also had his goons protecting him any time you touched gretzky. lemieux didnt have any help, so people would take their free shots at him (just like sidney crosby right now). If you got near gretzky you would have your face in the ice being beaten with gloves, sticks, skates, and fists.

Answer 11

Depends on my needs. If I have a weak team then Mario for sure. If I have superstars and just want another one then Wayne. They are really two different styles in that sense. Mario will bring up the team. I'm not sure that Gretzky can bring up a team the same way. So I'm taking the one I know can do it. Now if I had a great team then why not take the player that did great with superstars.