6'2"+ vs. 6'1" and under current/all-time team.

[AvroArrow]

Well, you could probably just cross Messier off, he'd be suspended after his first accidental elbow, same with Stevens and Pronger.

I think the second team wins if the first team actually plays by todays rules.

Depends which era's rules we play with. It's always tricky when comparing 2 different eras, it was a completely different game back then. If we play with the old rules Pronger/Stevens/Messier would probably injure half the team by themselves

 

[amnesiac]

Depends which era's rules we play with. It's always tricky when comparing 2 different eras, it was a completely different game back then. If we play with the old rules Pronger/Stevens/Messier would probably injure half the team by themselves

its not like they couldnt adjust their game.... Stevens and Pronger were still some of the most dominant defensive Dmen of all-time, let alone two of the greatest playoff performers ever, "illegal hits" or not.

 

[North Cole]

Gretzky + Howe + Orr on one team, with Hasek in net? Not close. 2nd best Defenseman all time is a nice bonus too.

Why do people keep bringing up the "old" rules and ignoring Gordie Howe and Chelios are on the small team? There really isn't that many goons on the bigger team, some mean players, but not like Probert or the Boogeyman are lacing up. A lot of the guys on the smaller team played in the 80's/90's and DPE and weren't repeatedly stretchered away.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Why do people keep bringing up the "old" rules and ignoring Gordie Howe and Chelios are on the small team? There really isn't that many goons on the bigger team, some mean players, but not like Probert or the Boogeyman are lacing up. A lot of the guys on the smaller team played in the 80's/90's and DPE and weren't repeatedly stretchered away.

HF has this weird notion that any skill guy from today's game wouldn't survive in the rough and tumble 80's and 90's, ignoring the fact the vast majority of the "elite" guys from those eras were in the 5'11 to 6'1 range. And a lot of them were non-physical, too. So it's not like every star running around was a Messier or Trottier.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Too many all-time greats in the 5'11-6'1 range. 6'1 and under wins even with a couple generous round ups for guys like Messier and Roy.

 

[The Beyonder]

It depends on what the refs are willing to let the refs getaway with. ... Honestly, it's a wash. The taller team, it's more dynamic when it comes to not only player roles but physicality as well. I feel the taller team would have better special teams overall. I also feel like Roy is a mentally tougher goalie over a 7 game series. So I just went with the taller team.

 

[bukwas]

Imagine somehow managing to generate a good chance against that team tall D and looking up and seeing prime Roy. Would love to have them mic'd.

 

[HanSolo]

When was Roy ever 6 2. He was listed at 6-6 1 everywhere

Ahahaha that's wrong. I met Roy in person. He's not 6' 6.

 

[PettersonHughes]

I'd give it to the tall team, but only by a hair.

Skill-wise, it's a wash but playoff attrition is a thing and if they were to play a tight defensive system it'd be tough for the small team to have sustained success and not get battered (now of course smaller guys like Sid, Datsyuk and Kane have done well against rougher teams like the Flyers who are known for team toughness, but it's another level when there's 4 lines of heavy guys who can take away your ice in a hurry).

Agreed with someone else that there should be a sub-6' team, which would still be pretty good.

 

[Legion34]

Ahahaha that's wrong. I met Roy in person. He's not 6' 6.

sorry 6 foot to 6 foot 1. Under 6 2

 

[SotasicA]

Average American male is 5'9" tall.

For anyone thinking height does not matter anymore, try compiling teams from both 5'9" and under versus players over 5'9". There are probably kids on both sides with equal skill, but taller players perform better in games.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Gretzky + Orr >>>> everyone else

 

[authentic]

Depends which era's rules we play with. It's always tricky when comparing 2 different eras, it was a completely different game back then. If we play with the old rules Pronger/Stevens/Messier would probably injure half the team by themselves

I know this is an exaggeration and that team would likely fair better if this was the 90s, but watching a lot of old games featuring these players it's not like they were consistently injuring everyone. Gretzky and many other players of his stature survived just fine for the most part during the 80s and 90s.

I think these teams would be a good match no matter the era and rules they played with, I don't believe it would be nearly as simple as "Team A has 3 of the big 4 so of course they would win", that size and toughness would be a massive chore to go up against in a 7 game series and they clearly do not lack speed and skill either, just as the other team still has players like Forsberg and Howe. I still am unsure of who I think would win. It would probably go the distance anyway.

 

[authentic]

Gretzky + Orr >>>> everyone else

If it's just peak, throw Lemieux in there.

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

This series would go 7 games imo

 

[nowhereman]

I'll go with the smaller team. They have 4 of the top 5 best players of all time. And it's not like they wouldn't play a tough, gritty game that stacks up well against the bigger team. Guys like Howe, Orr, Forsberg, Crosby, and Potvin would be right at home playing grinding playoff-style hockey.

 

[RMimagery]

Put the guy with the best goals per game % in on the 2nd team...

I take the 2nd team's skill.

 

[RMimagery]

Too many all-time greats in the 5'11-6'1 range. 6'1 and under wins even with a couple generous round ups for guys like Messier and Roy.

Mess and Gretz are the same height lol. These two should be together.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I just noticed that. Why is Messier listed among the 6'2+ crowd? He's always been listed at 6'1 in every publication I recall reading.

 

[authentic]

I just noticed that. Why is Messier listed among the 6'2+ crowd? He's always been listed at 6'1 in every publication I recall reading.

He's listed as 6'2" on nhl.com, I just gathered all the heights from there. Scott Stevens is listed as 6'0" on hockey db, but I swear he seemed 6'2". 6'1" seems about right for Messier.

 

[AnInjuredJasonZucker]

The scouting list for Team Tiny seems truncated (sorry). With the exception of Howe and Orr, it doesn't really go back that far. Richard or Shore would be interesting, and they'd add some insurance against the giants getting too frisky. I'd also put a pure defensive guy with Coffey to let him do his thing. Not sure who that would be though.

 

[pcruz]

Pronger - Lidstrom

Upgrading from Niedermayer to Lidstrom here.
That defensive pairing is the most intriguing line combination out of both teams for me.

 

[Bedards Dad]

This is the first poll I can't make a decision on. It's way to close. Great poll OP.

 

[authentic]

The scouting list for Team Tiny seems truncated (sorry). With the exception of Howe and Orr, it doesn't really go back that far. Richard or Shore would be interesting, and they'd add some insurance against the giants getting too frisky. I'd also put a pure defensive guy with Coffey to let him do his thing. Not sure who that would be though.

Chelios was an absolute beast defensively...

 

[AnInjuredJasonZucker]

Chelios was an absolute beast defensively...

You're not wrong. But as a guy who put up nearly 1000 points as a defenceman, I wonder if he'd be content to sit back all the time while Coffey flew around the ice, though he certainly had the ability to keep things cool in his own zone.