cup2006sensrule said:
Lindros was the best player in the world from 92-93 through 96-97 with the exception of Mario Lemieux who missed a season and only played 22 games in another. Lindros for 5 years was the 2nd best player in the world. I am not even a fan of Lindros but it is a fact that at the time the media, NHL players, hockey writers, the general public... The entire hockey community considered this to be true. Though Lindros had many detractors for his contract disputes, sitting out on Quebec, his injuries etc. And later concussions derailed his career. But if you are considered for a 5 year stretch the best or second best player in the entire world then that is enough to make you nearly a generational talent and if not that certainly a 9 as an elite forward.
Even after having his career decimated by injury per 82 games he currently is averaging 42 goals and 97 points for his career. He has played 711 NHL games. Forsberg who was drafted the same season has only played 640. And Forsberg has averaged 30 goals and 105 points per 82 games.
Over 82 games for their careers Sakic averages 38 goals and 99 points, Yzerman 37 goals and 95 points.
Clearly you have some kind of bias against Lindros. But ranking Brad Richards and Marian Hossa as a 9 while Lindros is rated an 8 makes your rankings appear biased.
Maybe you are only 17 years old and can't remember it or something but Lindros was the real deal. He was bigger and tougher and powerful force that was unique.
Consider Alfredsson (my favorite player) you rate him an 8.5 and Lindros an 8. Alfredsson has had his own injury issues like Lindros. Alfie has played 706 NHL games. Scoring 262 goals and 672 points. Lindros has played 711 games and scored 367 goals and 839 points. Alfredsson has never been considered the best or one of the best players in the world except perhaps midway through this season. Lindros was considered one of the best players in the world before he even played an NHL game and he continued to be considered one of the best players for 6 or 7 years.
There is no way Alfredsson can be considered better than Lindros for his career. No way. And I don't even like Lindros much and Alfie is my favorite player.
Mabye you are 77 and are losing your memory
haha kidding aside you make some good points.
Here are the reasons for my ranking and why I don't believe in Lindros is a nine.
You make a good point of Lindros and Forsberg being drafted in the same year and Lindros having more points. My only reply to that is Forsberg only has 23 less point and started playing in the NHL a full two and a half season after Lindros started.
If you look at their career PPG totals Forsberg has the edge
Forsberg - 1.27
Lindros - 1.18
Forsberg is better in that catigory but does not have so much of an edge to say he is clearly superior.
This is the reason for my ranking. If you take Lindros's first eight season he a a PPG average of 1.40. This is an amazing number and clearly deserving of a top ranking, it is also significantly better than Forsberg's 1.24.
The problem is what happens in the last five year of thier careers, Forsberg's PPG average actually rises to 1.31 while Lindros's falls to 0.8. That is the problem, for close to %40 of Lindros career he is nothing more than a 60-65 point man. Not bad but not exactly stellar.
Both player are also thirty-three so in theory have some more years to play. I would say that when they are both healthy Forsberg will still produce at a top clip while Lindros will struggle to maintain a scoring line position on a good team.
As well this doesn't take into account playoff proformance. While Lindros has been decent in the playoffs he is not close to Forsberg and his Stanley Cup rings.