Who do you think is the best hockey player of all time?

Question

I say that Orr or Lemuix were the best and maybe Gorde Howe what do you think.


I think i spelled lemuix rong

Answer 1

Numba Fouwa Bobby Orr greatest talent ever.
Greatest Offensively: Gretzky
Deadliest on a breakaway: Mario Lemieux
Best all round player (tough and talented): Gordie Howe
Best pure goal scorer: Maurice Richard

Answer 2

Bob Probert....

hahahahaaaaa, I couldn't even keep a straight face typing that.

Stats wise, I'd say it's a toss up between Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe. Both have very legitimate arguments for the title. I do have a very large spot in my heart for Steve Yzerman though. Stats wise he was no Gretzky or Howe, but his impact was more far reaching than simple stats. When he could barely walk and he still took the ice every game and made things happen, made those around him better players and made them dig deeper into their tanks simply by having him there as a presence, that was pretty amazing to see. So if you want to go on paper alone, you know the obvious choices, but I would just like to say there is more to hockey than just goals scored and games played. There's an intangible there that cannot be measured, but you know it when you see it.


Note: Jennifer, you spelled the great one's name wrong, it's WAYNE. This makes your qualifier of "I follow hockey" to be suspect.

Answer 3

Ah. I see. You're one of those "let's underestimate Wayne Gretzky" people. If you factor in longevity, you will find very, very few hockey experts that will pick Howe or Lemieux over Gretzky, even factoring in "all-around" skills. His offensive skills were SO much better than anyone else that ever lived that nothing else makes up for it. He has more assists than anyone else even has points and holds the record for most MVP trophies in hockey. Take out longevity, and you've got a great argument for Bobby Orr, but I'm afraid longevity still counts for most people. Otherwise, although Howe and Lemieux are both top-five all-time, they don't hold a candle to Gretzky, and neither of them would even claim to be as good (although Howe complained a little at first... until Gretzky eclipsed his total numbers, including the WHA ones, with only his assists). Gretzky is king.

Answer 4

Give Gretzky his due, 20 + years in the league and he has the most points. Does that make him the greatest of all time, NO.
Two players were more talented and if they had also played 20+ years relatively injury free we would not be having this conversation, namely Orr and Lemieux.
If they had played 20 years it would be Orr, Lemieux, Gretzky, in that order and yes Lemieux would have more points than Gretzky.

Answer 5

You could make a case for all of them being second to Gretzky. You could even make a case for them being equal to Gretzky. You might even be able make a case for Orr being better. But I think you need to look at the record book before ignoring Gretzky from consideration. His name appears at the top of 60+ categories for a reason.

Answer 6

Bobby Orr

Answer 7

Don Cherry and I think Orr, for when he played nobody was of a similar caliber. Could say maybe Max Bentley, but that again was a different time.

Answer 8

I know I'm gonna get thumbs down for this, but in my opinion, the greatest hockey player of all time is Teemu Selanne. I've had numerous arguments with friends about it, but I stick to my guns...he's had a great career, and he's a great guy on and off the ice, and in my humble opinion, that makes him the greatest period.

Answer 9

Definately Gorde Howe. Lemuix was good, better than Orr, but no one can beat Howe.

Answer 10

Wayne Gretzky