HFAvs Ranks: The 50 Greatest Avalanche Players - #5

[Ceremony]

Results so far:

#1 - Joe Sakic (88.9%)
#2 - Peter Forsberg (55.7%)
#3 - Patrick Roy (89.6%)
#4 - Nathan MacKinnon (71.4%)

======================
I've had an idea. Let's decide who the greatest players in Avalanche history are.

• You decide what "greatest" means.
• Only judge players based on their Avalanche careers. This means no extra points for Sakic's time with the Nordiques, or Ray Bourque's time with the Bruins.
• Poll will be open for a few days.
• Each time you vote, suggest a player who should be added for the next round.
• If there's no consensus on who should be added I'll just pick the next player who's played the most games.
• Here's a list of everyone: Colorado Avalanche all-time player list at hockeydb.com

Milan Hejduk (1998-2013)	Adam Foote (1995-04, 2008-11)	Gabriel Landeskog (2011-present)	Alex Tanguay (1999-06, 2014-16)	Mikko Rantanen (2016-present)	Rob Blake (2000-2006)	Cale Makar (2018-present)
Games Played: 1020	Games played: 760	Games played: 738	Games played: 598	Games played: 490	Games played: 322	Games played: 238
Goals: 375	Goals: 48	Goals: 248	Goals: 167	Goals: 220	Goals: 62	Goals: 65
Assists: 430	Assists: 173	Assists: 323	Assists: 321	Assists: 293	Assists: 146	Assists: 181
Points: 805	Points: 221	Points: 571	Points: 488	Points: 513	Points: 208	Points: 246
Awards: Stanley Cup (2001), Rocket Richard Trophy (2003)	Awards: Stanley Cup (1996, 2001)	Awards: Stanley Cup (2022), Calder Trophy (2012)	Awards: Stanley Cup (2001), Stanley Cup Game Winning Goal (2001)	Awards: Stanley Cup (2022)	Awards: Stanley Cup (2001)	Awards: Stanley Cup (2022), Conn Smythe Trophy (2022), Norris Trophy (2022)

Alex Tanguay, next man up.

Click to read more...

 

[thedoctor]

Tough between Hejduk and Makar, but already a Norris and a Conn Smythe tilt it to Makar for me.

 

[ASmileyFace]

Super tough one. As a kid of the 90s and early 00s I want to pick Hejduk so bad. Makar 2022 was far better than anything Hejduk did during his time here, but I am not sure it is enough with less than 250 games under his belt.

I think Makar will end his tenure as a top two player in the history of the team, but he needs another few years imo.

EDIT: Shit, I voted for Makar by accident, and I can't edit it

 

[GeoRox89]

Makar

The Smythe, the Norris, 29 points in 20 games as a D and the Calder. Would have at least one more Norris (instead of Buzz Lightyear) if his health had been better. Biggest factor in transforming the Avs from bubble team to contender to Stanley Cup Champs. Equals everyone else on that list except Foote in Cups. Hopefully finishes his career at number 2 and challenging for 1 (though I suspect the GM aspect always keeps Sakic there). Above all this seems to somehow be an even better person than he is player

We’re really into the pick’em stage with who to add now but I’m going Kamensky

PS - Yelle and Klemm are the only other 2x Avs Cup winners. EJ leads in GP among Cup winners. Deadmarsh leads in goals and points among Cup winners. Kamensky leads in PPG and GPG among Cup winners

 

[TruePowerSlave]

Makar easily

Has the potential to be the best player of the franchise. However, he does pick up too many injuries which will limit his ceiling.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

*LOL* Accidental click determined Footer was my vote. He's going to be soon, but not yet. This one was supposed to be Cale.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Easily Cale imo. Hejduk is awesome, but Makars peak and importance to this cup winning team was higher than Hejduks.

 

[BoneCherry]

Hejduk vs Makar; I went with Makar for reasons others have already stated.

 

[bromando]

Makar who is only limited by games/seasons played.

Add Ozolinsh.

 

[Hasbro]

Get's tough here.

 

[UncleRisto]

Both voting and adding get tougher at this point. Makar then Hejduk.

I guess Ozolinsh. I'm also inclined to add Adam Deadmarsh soon. The dark years rebuild players must be close by now, too.

 

[MacKaRant]

Get's tough here.

Not tough for me, I was one of weirdos who had Makar at #3

 

[UncleRisto]

Deadmarsh leads in goals and points among Cup winners.

Huh. I guess I wasn't too far off suggesting him.

 

[GeoRox89]

Huh. I guess I wasn't too far off suggesting him.

He would be my add after Kamensky and Ozo. He is actually quite far up the list in goals (10) points (12) and games played (20). The Cup puts him above the Walnuts/Dutchy/Barrie group for me even though they’re above him in GP and the first two have him beat in goals and points

Edit: Same deal with Lemieux (but he’s higher in PPG and GPG with a lot less GP than Deadmarsh)

 

[Bonzai12]

Makar

Add Lemieux

 

[McMetal]

I understand why folks are going with Makar here, but if I'm going to be consistent I have to go with Hejduk. Makar is just entering his prime, and as much as I expect he'll be a clear #2 by the time his career is over, he's too young to be considered over a former captain and Richard winner just yet. Nevertheless, he's going to win this round clearly and I can see the argument.

Add Ozo.

 

[UncleRisto]

I understand why folks are going with Makar here, but if I'm going to be consistent I have to go with Hejduk. Makar is just entering his prime, and as much as I expect he'll be a clear #2 by the time his career is over, he's too young to be considered over a former captain and Richard winner just yet. Nevertheless, he's going to win this round clearly and I can see the argument.

Add Ozo.

Remember (and I know you do) that Makar has a Conn Smythe and a Norris. Tough competition here.

 

[Bone Breaker]

voted 23. Im fine with ranking Mack high because he already has ten seasons with the club, while Makar has only four. when all is said and done, Makar will likely be first or second in the rankings, but NOW Im still valuing longevity. otherwise, Bourque should be pretty high on the rankings too, given the player he was and his importance during his tenure with the Avs.

with that said, I want #44 added asap in the voting.

 

[UncleRisto]

with that said, I want #44 added asap in the voting.

Only good options for who you mean by #44.

Ozolinsh wore 8, and then 44 only briefly with Florida. Jordan Leopold? Ryan Wilson? Nolan Pratt? Bates Battaglia? There's more.

 

[niwotsblessing]

Footer. The strong backbone of the organization through the move to Colorado and 2 Cups we don't win without him keeping opposing forwards in check. Defense wins Championships.

 

[GeoRox89]

Remember (and I know you do) that Makar has a Conn Smythe and a Norris. Tough competition here.

Remember when Duke won the Rocket and Foppa won the Art Ross and Hart and they left Naslund with just the Pearson? Good times

They did a mini HHOF for the Memorial Cup where they brought a bunch of the trophies to town. I had a great time finding the Avs on them and pointing out and explaining that 2003 set to a friend of mine (probably way too loudly) around a bunch of Canucks fans. I had also completely forgotten that Bo had won the CHL top prospect award

 

[Ceremony]

I understand why folks are going with Makar here, but if I'm going to be consistent I have to go with Hejduk. Makar is just entering his prime, and as much as I expect he'll be a clear #2 by the time his career is over, he's too young to be considered over a former captain and Richard winner just yet. Nevertheless, he's going to win this round clearly and I can see the argument.

This was my thinking too.

Only good options for who you mean by #44.

Ozolinsh wore 8, and then 44 only briefly with Florida. Jordan Leopold? Ryan Wilson? Nolan Pratt? Bates Battaglia? There's more.

Leopold was my immediate thought and I'm ashamed I forgot Wilson.

 

[Bone Breaker]

Im flabbergasted to see fellow fans not associating the number with 1- the best undrafted player in the history of the Avs 2- the best D to have played only for the Avs 3- one of the best open ice hitters in the league during his tenure 4- that sexy hair

 

[CobraAcesS]

Lol @The Kingslayer that Makar post was probably right after I watched him live at the WJSS in Plymouth.

He wasn't all offense by any means. So I didn't like the EK comp. Keith in his prime was another one lol.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Lol @The Kingslayer that Makar post was probably right after I watched him live at the WJSS in Plymouth.

He wasn't all offense by any means. So I didn't like the EK comp. Keith in his prime was another one lol.

No worries I love you. That entire thread was a great stroll through memory lane.