Who do you think is the best American-born hockey player?

Question

I was just thinking about how who do not hear about many American hockey players, so I just wanted to get your opinion on who you think is the best.

Answer 1

The best NHL player born in America in my opinion is Phil Housley. He has more points than Modano and he was a defenceman. A close second would be Pat LaFontaine who had a career 1.17 points/game average.

Answer 2

Funny that I don't have a hard time picking just one. IMO, Chris Chelios is the best ever American born player.
Also, how can you be "not exactly" an American player-you are or you are not. Hull et al are not-by that criteria-you could say Gretzky.
Other canidates not mentioned are Brian Leetch- Rod Langway-Frank Brimsek (better than Barrasso or Beezer)-Mark Howe-Keith Tckchuk-Doug Weight-Pat Lafontaine.
Also, can't say I have ever heard of Bobby Carpenter being involved in any debate.

Answer 3

While it is hard to pick just one (mostly because of different aspects a player can offer, for example, how can one say a defenseman is better than a forward given individual responsibilities), I will do this instead: the best offenisve player is clearly Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars. The best defensive player? Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings. The best goalie? Mike Richter of the New York Rangers. Many people will make their assorted arguements for Pat LaFountaine (offensively superior than Modano, but no Stanley Cups, no individual awards, no international success, and a shortened career), Bobby Carpenter (the most talented American-born player, but injuries made him reinvent himself into an outstanding defensive forward), Brian Leetch (a steady offensive defenseman, only American to win a Conn Smythe trophy for playoff MVP, but hit a huge decline once Messier left the New York Rangers), Tom Barrasso (a two time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh, but doesn't have the outsanding international track record Richter has), Joey Mullen (a gifted player and champion with both Calgary and Pittsburgh, but often overlooked as a game breaker), Ken Morrow (a defenseman who was in the right place at the right time: a key cog on the 1980 'Miracle On Ice" USA team, and a solid defender on the New York Isladers dynasty teams from 1980-1984, the last year being a runner up to the soon dynastic Edmonton Oilers), Jeremy Roenick (a great quote, but maddenly inconsistent), Phil Housley (a defenseman only by name, lacked defensive instincts), John Vanbiesbrouck (a solid goalie, more a beneficiary of a trap-playing Florida Panthers team than anything, and later on, a racist), Neal Broten (not enough of a game breaker) and Brett Hull (not exactly an American-born star as he was born in Bellvue, Ontario but has the U.S. citizenship, as does Adam Oates and Mario Lemieux), but for my money, the aforementioned three are the best ever for the United States.

Answer 4

Chris Chelios IMO. 3 Norris Trophies. some cups. one thousand factors as a DMan.....human beings forget that he was once a respectable offensive tension to boot as stable defensively. 3 Olympics. quite some international. quite some all famous guy or woman video games. Captain of the Habs and Hawks as quickly as upon a time. human beings can bypass on approximately Lafontaine and Modano et al yet Chelios has the final trophy case and the final case to be made with the aid of fact the #a million American born participant all time. As LITY mentions, Lafontaine had 2 a hundred element seasons, enormous whoop, whilst he replaced into doing that so have been 10 or 15 different gamers consistent with season-the 1st time he scored a hundred+ he finished 8th in scoring.......meanwhile, Chris Chelios replaced into the final at his place for 3 years of his profession. by no potential have any of the united statesforwards been the final at their place for ANY season. To me, there isn't lots room for debate.

Answer 5

One could make a case for Hobey Baker (from Bala Cynwyd, PA) who was a star forward for Princeton and amateur clubs in New York in the 1910s. I've read many accounts that say he would have been an NHL great - if he wasn't killed during the First World War.

And he is the namesake of the Hobey Baker award which is given to the best NCAA Div. I men's hockey player.

Answer 6

Mike Modano

Answer 7

I'm seriously going to slap the next person that says Crosby... HE IS CANADIAN... as in the Great North... Quebec... Ontario... those oher provinces... you know... the people that are north of Mexico but arn't Americans... they have a prime minister and a parliament... and the queen is on their money...

I'm going to say Ryan Malone just cause I really don't know many players from the US

Answer 8

Mike Modano

Answer 9

I thought Jon LeClair was a great player, but lost his touch the last could of years. LaFontaine with the Isle's & Sabres was good also. I think it may be J.R., Modano or Brian Leetch.

Dude are people serious about Crosby - He is from Canada. Nova Scotia I think.

Answer 10

There's Modano, Chelios, then you have Sidney Crosby of the latest generation of players.