I consider modern era starts in 1967 with expansion.
Bobby Holik, good call!
I dont know, try to argue why. Didnt he play 1st line with Gretzky and Kurri?Would Esa Tikkanen count?
1. Bobby Holik (better than Draper at everything altough Draper has more achievments)
2. Kris Draper
While I tend to think he's overrated it's Bob Gainey.
I would say that Draper was a far superior penalty-killer (Holik didn't even kill penalties) and a much better skater.
Pure 3rd line would be Bob Gainey by far given that he could be relied on to play against and reduce the effectiveness of elite RWs like Mike Bossy, Rick Middleton and others.
Below Gainey, you would have the following honourable mention guys Guy Carbonneau, Bob Nystrom, Kris Draper,who were also pure 3rd line types.
Bobby Holik???? Considering that at times he was the Devils leading scorer, calling him a 3rd liner is rather interesting.
Because I value also the points not only their grinder or defensive skills. I mean best player who spent his career mostly on 3rd line and his style was grinding.Agree. Though Holik was a better even strength player overall.
I have no idea why John Madden is considered "second tier" here. What makes Draper better?
Because I value also the points not only their grinder or defensive skills. I mean best player who spent his career mostly on 3rd line and his style was grinding.
Madden 2nd tier? It is hard to compete with Holik when you have more than 500 games less and 400 points less. Good player always finds a job.
Because I value also the points not only their grinder or defensive skills. I mean best player who spent his career mostly on 3rd line and his style was grinding.
Madden 2nd tier? It is hard to compete with Holik when you have more than 500 games less and 400 points less. Good player always finds a job.
Joel Otto another good call, great faceoff man.
Going back to the O6 era would have to include Ron Stewart*, Eric Nesterenko*, Ralph Backstrom*, Marty Pavelich, Metro Prystai, Ron Murphy*, Jerry Toppazzini, putting grinding in context with the modern era.
*=played in the modern era as well.