reckoning
Registered User
- Jan 4, 2005
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- 1,271
I`m not going to try to compare him to the guys whose prime were before my time like Hull or Lindsay, but of the last 30 years you could make a very strong case for Elias being the best. It`s tough to say because he`s still in his prime, and what happens this spring will add to his resume, but even just based on what he`s accomplished so far in his career, I`d put him in the top spot.
Top 10 LWs of the last 30 years: (the way I see it)
1. Patrik Elias: The most complete player in the game today. Consistently among the top scorers, very strong defensive play, turns it up a notch at playoff time and as this season showed is essential to the Devils success.
2. Brian Propp: Very underrated; everything I said about Elias applies to Propp as well, just not at quite the same level.
3. Bob Gainey: Generally accepted as the best defensive forward ever.
4. Brendan Shanahan: Consistently produced throughout his career, provided a valuable toughness element to Detroit`s late 90s Cup-winning seasons.
5. Steve Shutt: Great hands + impeccable positioning.
6. John Tonelli: Extremely underrated contributor to the Islander dynasty, brought them back almost singlehandedly against Pittsburgh in `82.
7. Luc Robitaille: Racked up a lot of regular season points year after year, but that`s it.
8. Craig Ramsay: If anything this ranking is too low; imagine Gainey with a better scoring touch but without all the Montreal HOF teammates.
9. Markus Naslund: Like Robitaille, somewhat overrated but still deserves to be on the list.
10. Bill Barber: More than just a talented diver.
Honourable mentions: Goulet, Gillies, Kariya, Tikkanen
Where would you guys rate Elias?
Top 10 LWs of the last 30 years: (the way I see it)
1. Patrik Elias: The most complete player in the game today. Consistently among the top scorers, very strong defensive play, turns it up a notch at playoff time and as this season showed is essential to the Devils success.
2. Brian Propp: Very underrated; everything I said about Elias applies to Propp as well, just not at quite the same level.
3. Bob Gainey: Generally accepted as the best defensive forward ever.
4. Brendan Shanahan: Consistently produced throughout his career, provided a valuable toughness element to Detroit`s late 90s Cup-winning seasons.
5. Steve Shutt: Great hands + impeccable positioning.
6. John Tonelli: Extremely underrated contributor to the Islander dynasty, brought them back almost singlehandedly against Pittsburgh in `82.
7. Luc Robitaille: Racked up a lot of regular season points year after year, but that`s it.
8. Craig Ramsay: If anything this ranking is too low; imagine Gainey with a better scoring touch but without all the Montreal HOF teammates.
9. Markus Naslund: Like Robitaille, somewhat overrated but still deserves to be on the list.
10. Bill Barber: More than just a talented diver.
Honourable mentions: Goulet, Gillies, Kariya, Tikkanen
Where would you guys rate Elias?