VMBM
And it didn't even bring me down
(... as the greatest Finnish hockey player ever)
I'm sure this has been discussed many times before, but I don't remember an actual thread about it (on HOH).
For my money, Selänne at least WILL BE the best Finnish hockey player of all-time when he finally decides to call it a day. This despite his fairly moderate playoff numbers (but it's not like he has ever played for a team like the '80s Oilers) and career plagued with injuries. Teemu was so much better in his 30s than Kurri was, and in their 20s they were about even - with Kurri having the clear edge career-/numbers-wise, for mostly obvious reasons. I know that 'what ifs' don't really count, BUT if Selänne had had a more injury-free career, I don't think there would be any debate about this at all.
Kurri is a pioneer (i.e. the first super star calibre Finn in the NHL), no doubt about that. And already since the Eighties, he has been hailed - quite rightly so - the best Finnish hockey player ever, without anyone questioning it. That is about to change, however. Even what he did inside the rink will be enough IMO, but especially here in Finland, Selänne's case will be helped by the fact that he is so much more jovial and accessible feller (IMO Kurri is the dullest man in the world, basically). Not that I would suggest that the sort of thing should have any effect on you cynical hardcore statisticians
Back to the question: has Selänne already surpassed Kurri? Or does he still need one or more good season(s)? Or is it ever going to happen?
I'm sure this has been discussed many times before, but I don't remember an actual thread about it (on HOH).
For my money, Selänne at least WILL BE the best Finnish hockey player of all-time when he finally decides to call it a day. This despite his fairly moderate playoff numbers (but it's not like he has ever played for a team like the '80s Oilers) and career plagued with injuries. Teemu was so much better in his 30s than Kurri was, and in their 20s they were about even - with Kurri having the clear edge career-/numbers-wise, for mostly obvious reasons. I know that 'what ifs' don't really count, BUT if Selänne had had a more injury-free career, I don't think there would be any debate about this at all.
Kurri is a pioneer (i.e. the first super star calibre Finn in the NHL), no doubt about that. And already since the Eighties, he has been hailed - quite rightly so - the best Finnish hockey player ever, without anyone questioning it. That is about to change, however. Even what he did inside the rink will be enough IMO, but especially here in Finland, Selänne's case will be helped by the fact that he is so much more jovial and accessible feller (IMO Kurri is the dullest man in the world, basically). Not that I would suggest that the sort of thing should have any effect on you cynical hardcore statisticians
Back to the question: has Selänne already surpassed Kurri? Or does he still need one or more good season(s)? Or is it ever going to happen?