Top 5 players from the 80's

[Sampe]

Most overrated:

Kurri (Gretzky carried this guy throughout his career)

Last season with Gretzky: 80.43+53=96
First season without Gretzky: 76.44+58=102

Apparently, there were better 'Kurri carriers' in Edmonton than Wayne. And that's ignoring the fact that Kurri took care of Gretzky's defensive duties as well.

 

[Jets4Life]

Last season with Gretzky: 80.43+53=96
First season without Gretzky: 76.44+58=102

Apparently, there were better 'Kurri carriers' in Edmonton than Wayne. And that's ignoring the fact that Kurri took care of Gretzky's defensive duties as well.

Just look at the last 5 years he spent in the NHL without Wayne Gretzky. I think he averaged around 40 points per season. Most overrated player in history, IMO.

 

[(lone)Yashinfan#79]

who are your top 5 players from the 80's in terms of talent that they displayed THEN. (minus Gretzky and Lemieux) ?

Mark Messier
Mike Bossy
Paul Coffey
Ray Bourque
Guy Carbonneau

 

[Sampe]

Just look at the last 5 years he spent in the NHL without Wayne Gretzky. I think he averaged around 40 points per season. Most overrated player in history, IMO.

OK. Kurri's last (and only) NHL seasons without Gretzky:

1988-89......76.44+58=102
1989-90......78.33+60=93
1995-96......14.1+4=5 (also 57 games for the Kings)
1996-97......82.13+22=35
1997-98 .....70.5+17=22

He also scored 27+60=87 points in 1992-93 when Gretzky was injured for nearly half a season. Interestingly enough, that happened to be Kurri's best year as an LA King.

Clearly less surprising is the fact that without Gretzky, Kurri's assist totals were far superior to his goal totals.

 

[Evil Homer]

My top five (in order)

1 – Mike Bossy
2 – Mark Messier
3 – Peter Stastny
4 – Paul Coffey
5 – Jari Kurri

An honourable mention goes to Bryan Trottier, who was an outstanding two way center, especially early in the decade.

Regarding Kurri – his point totals were obviously aided by playing with Gretzky. However he would have been an all-star on most other teams, though probably not as often. An under-rated aspect of Kurri’s game was his attention to the defensive aspect. He wasn’t a power forward obviously, but like Trottier, very responsible defensively.

 

[Form and Substance]

Mike Rogers had some really really good years before fizzing out in the mid eighties. I would put him somewhere in the top 30.