Hockey Countries compared to Soccer Countries

[Macman]

I can't think of a hockey player to compare to Johan Cruyff; someone sublimely skilled and incredibly versatile. Kharlamov had the skill but lacked the versatility. Any help here?

How's about Yzerman? Could do it all in his prime.

 

[Ajacied]

Some player comparisons, while we're at it:

Gretzky = Pelé (greatest career ever)
Lemieux = Diego Maradona (most talented player ever)
Orr = Franz Beckenbauer (defenders who changed the game)
Howe = Alfredo Di Stefano (legends who could do it all and played for ages)
Jagr = Zinedine Zidane (best player in the world for the past 5-10 years)
Lindros = Ronaldo (most talented and hyped players of the current generation, careers 'spoiled' by injuries)

I can't think of a hockey player to compare to Johan Cruyff; someone sublimely skilled and incredibly versatile. Kharlamov had the skill but lacked the versatility. Any help here?

Pat Lafontaine - Marco van Basten
Dino Ciccarelli - Johan Neeskens

Can't come up with one for Cruiff either..

 

[Epsilon]

Some player comparisons, while we're at it:

Gretzky = Pelé (greatest career ever)
Lemieux = Diego Maradona (most talented player ever)
Orr = Franz Beckenbauer (defenders who changed the game)
Howe = Alfredo Di Stefano (legends who could do it all and played for ages)
Jagr = Zinedine Zidane (best player in the world for the past 5-10 years)
Lindros = Ronaldo (most talented and hyped players of the current generation, careers 'spoiled' by injuries)

I can't think of a hockey player to compare to Johan Cruyff; someone sublimely skilled and incredibly versatile. Kharlamov had the skill but lacked the versatility. Any help here?

Sergei Fedorov comes to mind.

 

[Ajacied]

How's about Yzerman? Could do it all in his prime.

Good one.. Though Cruijff is a top 3 player of all time (Greatest European ever), Yzerman wasn't.

 

[Sampe]

How's about Yzerman? Could do it all in his prime.

Yeah, Yzerman comes pretty close (though Cruyff was superior to him IMO). Thanks.

 

[Slime]

Since the U.S. is ranked in the top eight in both soccer (8th) and hockey(6th) (by FIFA and the IIHF respectively), that shouldn't be too hard. I know these rankings are up for debate, but still.

But those rankings don't mean anything (soccer)! Yeah, the US soccer team gets a lot of points by defeating countries like Costa Rica and El Salvador, cause they play all their friendly matches on that side of the globe. But there are no american players that play in the big teams in Europe (and most of those who play in Europe sit on the bench) and I can't remember the US ever beat a good soccer nation in a game that has any importance.

 

[Ajacied]

Since the U.S. is ranked in the top eight in both soccer (8th) and hockey(6th) (by FIFA and the IIHF respectively), that shouldn't be too hard. I know these rankings are up for debate, but still.

Those rankings are among the worst in the world of sport. USA would probably be placed somewhere between 20th/25th..

 

[Macman]

Yeah, Yzerman comes pretty close (though Cruyff was superior to him IMO). Thanks.

How about this, then. Substitute Doug Harvey for Orr = Beckenbauer, cuz Harvey was hockey's first real offensive defenceman, then put Orr with Cruyff. Nobody was more skilled or versatile than Orr.

Interesting thread.

 

[Ajacied]

How about this, then. Substitute Doug Harvey for Orr = Beckenbauer, cuz Harvey was hockey's first real offensive defenceman, then put Orr with Cruyff. Nobody was more skilled or versatile than Orr.

Interesting thread.

Regardless whether he was versatile, Orr was a defenseman first and foremost. Cruijf was a striker. Bad comparison though I can see where you are coming from..

 

[Epsilon]

These are actually fun. How about...

Mark Messier - Lothar Matteus

Great leaders, great careers in terms of both production and length, both played a versatile two-way game.

 

[Macman]

Regardless whether he was versatile, Orr was a defenseman first and foremost. Cruijf was a striker. Bad comparison though I can see where you are coming from..

I think it totally fits. Orr led the league in scoring twice and is certainly one of the Top 3 players of all time. He was a defenceman who played like a striker.

 

[Ajacied]

I think it totally fits. Orr led the league in scoring twice and is certainly one of the Top 3 players of all time. He was defenceman who played like a striker.

But he remains a defenseman so the comparison is hard to make..

Any comparisons for Edgar Davids? That could be fun..

 

[Epsilon]

How about one for Michel Platini? I've been trying to think of something but am drawing blanks.

Which NHL goalies compare best with Dino Zoff and Lev Yashin?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Those rankings are among the worst in the world of sport. USA would probably be placed somewhere between 20th/25th..

That's fine. I don't follow soccer much. Considering how many countries play soccer, I would say mid twenties is pretty good all things considered.

 

[Ajacied]

That's fine. I don't follow soccer much. Considering how many countries play soccer, I would say mid twenties is pretty good all things considered.

It's not even that bad, no. I agree..

 

[Sampe]

I think it totally fits. Orr led the league in scoring twice and is certainly one of the Top 3 players of all time. He was defenceman who played like a striker.

But is Doug Harvey a top 5 player of all time? Because Beckenbauer sure was IMO.

Then again, it's still somewhat closer ability wise than Cruyff vs. Yzerman.

 

[Macman]

How about Martin Havlat = the guy in the World Cup who fell to the ground in a writhing, testicle-clutching heap when the ball hit him in the shins?

 

[Ajacied]

How about Martin Havlat = the guy in the World Cup who fell to the ground in a writhing, testicle-clutching heap when the ball hit him in the shins?

Rivaldo?

 

[Macman]

But is Doug Harvey a top 5 player of all time? Because Beckenbauer sure was IMO.

Then again, it's still somewhat closer ability wise than Cruyff vs. Yzerman.

No, he wasn't. Good point.

 

[Macman]

Rivaldo?

I can't remember who it was. I'm probably being too hard on Havlat, though. A lot of guys in the league these days could sub for him.

 

[Epsilon]

I can't remember who it was. I'm probably being too hard on Havlat, though. A lot of guys in the league these days could sub for him.

Since when does Havlat take dives? He's chippy and borderline dirty, for sure, but that's a completely different story.

 

[Ajacied]

But is Doug Harvey a top 5 player of all time? Because Beckenbauer sure was IMO.

Then again, it's still somewhat closer ability wise than Cruyff vs. Yzerman.

Beckenbauer is likely a top 5 player of all time, (Pele, Maradonna and Cruijff being the undisputed top 3), then you have a couple that can be considered to close out the top 5; Platini, Beckenbauer, Di Stefano, etc. I do agree Beckenbaur is top 5, but you can make a case for someone else just as much. He isn't a "definite" top 5 player if you ask me, nevertheless, he was arguably the greatest defenseman ever though.

 

[Strizzi]

Any comparisons for Edgar Davids? That could be fun..

Draper?

 

[Ajacied]

I can't remember who it was. I'm probably being too hard on Havlat, though. A lot of guys in the league these days could sub for him.

Did it happen near the cornerflag? He went down faster than a fat chick who sat down to fast. Grabbing his balls while in fact he was hit on the knee. Great acting skills..

 

[Ajacied]

Draper?

Not bad, though I had Mike Peca in my mind..