chooch*
Guest
I saw my first game at the Forum in 1971, Dryden v. Dryden in nets, Crozier v. Bowman behind the benches, the Big M scoring a goal. I've seen and played way too much hockey since then, more than I should have, albeit primarily in Montreal and Toronto.
I have my preferences for divisions and the like as some of you may know but I try to be fair to players from all countries. I just didn't see a lot of Soviet players; Yakushev and Kharlamov and Mikhailov etc were seen for just brief moments that for a hockey fan ended way too soon.
Here's my Top 20 since 1971 - thats 35 years, based on sheer domination against top opponents and other criteria. Surprisingly, most players are from the Eastern division and are what can be rightfully considered as 2 way players. No guys who I would have yelled at had someone played with their style on my local rink. No Dionnes, Bossy's, Brett Hull's or Bure's or other one way/no checking guys on this list. Mostly centres, a few defencemen, a couple of wingers and goalies :
1. Mario Lemieux - was unstoppable in his prime like no other player; only player who is beyond reproach; was better at 36 in comeback year than any player on this list after #10 ever was.
2. Dominic Hasek - dominated 10 years like no goalie I saw; slight weirdo - not stable Ken Dryden type.
3. Bobby Orr - saw only 3-4 of great years and was unstoppable until Shero figured it out...
4. Jaromir Jagr - the complete package, size, moves, excitement, shot, passing, just misses out by dopey sulk; looks so so in dress.
5. Guy Lafleur; 7-8 glory years; right wing could pass, skate, stickhandle and shoot; team player never trolled for points. Clutch. Nureyev of ice. Short changed on salary.
6. Phil Esposito - was the best of the best in 72; proved doubters wrong he would flop sans Orr. Leader of leaders.
7. Patrick Roy - iceman at 20. Will win Adams trophy.
8. Ray Bourque - complete package for a dman like no other. All class like Larry.
9. Ken Dryden - never gave up a back breaker goal. Save on Marcotte - you know which game...Save on Pappin -you know which game...
10. Bryan Trottier - icy stare like Mourning (Messier copied), complete package was best centre after Espo until Mario.
11. Vlad Tretiak - household name at 20, would have had Roy type career. Unucky with glasnost too late.
12. Wayne Gretzky - nice hair.
13. Peter Stastny - dominated in all aspects of game; heart of lion, majestic leader. Need a tv movie on escape with bros.
14. Denis Potvin - smartest dman ever. brilliant shot. Unclassy way of ending careers with hip.
15. Larry Robinson - most respected dman ever after Orr. Shot, speed, passing, vision unparalleled for big man. Was fatigued by 33.
16. Bobby Clarke - Leader was brilliant passer and heart of a franchise; like an Yzerman with balls.
17. Mark Messier - Oil chose to keep 11 and dump 99. Won cup.
18. Brad Park - brilliantly skilled; hurt by arrogance..Mr Park I knew Orr, I went to school with Orr and you sir were no Orr.
19. Sergei Fedorov - as talented as anyone ever. Yes, ever.
20. Yvan Cournoyer - beep beep, scored clutch goals and was called The Train by ruskies. Looked to skate and shoot as soon as puck dropped.
H.M: Guy Lapointe and Pete Mahovlich, the best centre not in the Hall
I have my preferences for divisions and the like as some of you may know but I try to be fair to players from all countries. I just didn't see a lot of Soviet players; Yakushev and Kharlamov and Mikhailov etc were seen for just brief moments that for a hockey fan ended way too soon.
Here's my Top 20 since 1971 - thats 35 years, based on sheer domination against top opponents and other criteria. Surprisingly, most players are from the Eastern division and are what can be rightfully considered as 2 way players. No guys who I would have yelled at had someone played with their style on my local rink. No Dionnes, Bossy's, Brett Hull's or Bure's or other one way/no checking guys on this list. Mostly centres, a few defencemen, a couple of wingers and goalies :
1. Mario Lemieux - was unstoppable in his prime like no other player; only player who is beyond reproach; was better at 36 in comeback year than any player on this list after #10 ever was.
2. Dominic Hasek - dominated 10 years like no goalie I saw; slight weirdo - not stable Ken Dryden type.
3. Bobby Orr - saw only 3-4 of great years and was unstoppable until Shero figured it out...
4. Jaromir Jagr - the complete package, size, moves, excitement, shot, passing, just misses out by dopey sulk; looks so so in dress.
5. Guy Lafleur; 7-8 glory years; right wing could pass, skate, stickhandle and shoot; team player never trolled for points. Clutch. Nureyev of ice. Short changed on salary.
6. Phil Esposito - was the best of the best in 72; proved doubters wrong he would flop sans Orr. Leader of leaders.
7. Patrick Roy - iceman at 20. Will win Adams trophy.
8. Ray Bourque - complete package for a dman like no other. All class like Larry.
9. Ken Dryden - never gave up a back breaker goal. Save on Marcotte - you know which game...Save on Pappin -you know which game...
10. Bryan Trottier - icy stare like Mourning (Messier copied), complete package was best centre after Espo until Mario.
11. Vlad Tretiak - household name at 20, would have had Roy type career. Unucky with glasnost too late.
12. Wayne Gretzky - nice hair.
13. Peter Stastny - dominated in all aspects of game; heart of lion, majestic leader. Need a tv movie on escape with bros.
14. Denis Potvin - smartest dman ever. brilliant shot. Unclassy way of ending careers with hip.
15. Larry Robinson - most respected dman ever after Orr. Shot, speed, passing, vision unparalleled for big man. Was fatigued by 33.
16. Bobby Clarke - Leader was brilliant passer and heart of a franchise; like an Yzerman with balls.
17. Mark Messier - Oil chose to keep 11 and dump 99. Won cup.
18. Brad Park - brilliantly skilled; hurt by arrogance..Mr Park I knew Orr, I went to school with Orr and you sir were no Orr.
19. Sergei Fedorov - as talented as anyone ever. Yes, ever.
20. Yvan Cournoyer - beep beep, scored clutch goals and was called The Train by ruskies. Looked to skate and shoot as soon as puck dropped.
H.M: Guy Lapointe and Pete Mahovlich, the best centre not in the Hall
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Was it one of those super fantastic ones with ribbons and bows like the renowned lockout pooch Anastasia Priscilla? I understand that with the proper pampering and pandering they can be quite a pet and that their owners can literally spend hours and thousands of dollars trying to 'out-pretty' each other.
