If I watched every regular season game, what is the best year of the NHL?

[delled]

A subjective as hell question, and nostalgia plays a part. I`m more curious about the older members in this site who have seen more hockey than most of us. But I think the era lays somewhere in the 90s. What do you think?

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[mcpw]

A subjective as hell question, and nostalgia plays a part. I`m more curious about the older members in this site who have seen more hockey than most of us. But I think the era lays somewhere in the 90s. What do you think?

2014-15

Because:
a) the level of play rises every year
b) 2015-16 is not complete yet

Obviously, if you want to see players skating around pylons scoring goals against bad goalies, go to the 80s or the 90s (or watch a "2014-15 every shootout goal" compilation).

 

[Inkling]

Hard to pick one season but I've always thought that 92-93 represented at least one high water mark for the NHL.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

2014-15

Because:
a) the level of play rises every year
b) 2015-16 is not complete yet

Obviously, if you want to see players skating around pylons scoring goals against bad goalies, go to the 80s or the 90s (or watch a "2014-15 every shootout goal" compilation).

Hockey is not linear. What an absurd way to look at it.

I like 2008 and 2011.

 

[delled]

Hockey is not linear. What an absurd way to look at it.

I like 2008 and 2011.

That`s oddly specific. Please tell me why.

 

[The Undertaker]

2004-2005 no doubt

 

[saskriders]

2014-15

Because:
a) the level of play rises every year
b) 2015-16 is not complete yet

Obviously, if you want to see players skating around pylons scoring goals against bad goalies, go to the 80s or the 90s (or watch a "2014-15 every shootout goal" compilation).

The best players doesn't guarantee the most excitement.

 

[mcpw]

The best players doesn't guarantee the most excitement.

When I watch "old" games I just get frustrated about how nobody can play defense.

If goals were the only source of excitement, I'd stop watching the NHL and start watching every game of the QMJHL.

 

[Cassano]

2005-06 because there were a lot of goals and powerplays.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

2014-15

Because:
a) the level of play rises every year
b) 2015-16 is not complete yet

Obviously, if you want to see players skating around pylons scoring goals against bad goalies, go to the 80s or the 90s (or watch a "2014-15 every shootout goal" compilation).

The 90s featured such pylons as Lidstrom, Konstantinov, Niedermayer, Pronger, Stevens, Bourque, Blake, Chelios and MacInnis, as well as three of the top ten greatest goalies ever, and a slew of Hall of Famers.

 

[Cyber]

Some year in the 90's. Maybe the year the Rangers won.

 

[Inkling]

When I watch "old" games I just get frustrated about how nobody can play defense.

If goals were the only source of excitement, I'd stop watching the NHL and start watching every game of the QMJHL.

That Orr guy was a real plug. Robinson and Potvin, both pylons.

 

[Chairman Maouth]

Some year in the 90's. Maybe the year the Rangers won.

Yep. First half of the 1990's.

 

[aufheben]

When I watch "old" games I just get frustrated about how nobody can play defense.

If goals were the only source of excitement, I'd stop watching the NHL and start watching every game of the QMJHL.

Same, although not for the 90's. 1994. 1990-1995 is the best era IMO, in era facet. Even the jerseys were the best.

That Orr guy was a real plug. Robinson and Potvin, both pylons.

Yeah but 80's hockey is like watching today's 3-on-3.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Definitely nothing in this era. It's a pretty bad era for this league. Too many teams, so many bad Hockey players with no talent whatsoever.

Probably late 80's early 90's. The talent level was insane in World Hockey at that time.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Hard to pick one season but I've always thought that 92-93 represented at least one high water mark for the NHL.

Yeah, somewhere around there. Probably one of the highest competitive levels the league has ever had. Fewer teams, lots of Euros, Russians and Americans in the sport.

The games were exciting, goaltending was making a resurgence after the Wild West of the 1980's, but scorers still could and did rack up the points... plus there were still big hits and some great heavyweight tilts... everything about the sport seemed to be firing on all cylinders.

Plus two of the greatest players ever, Lemieux and Gretzky, were both playing and playing well.

 

[Claypool]

1992-93

 

[Inkling]

1992-93

 

[Benneguin]

I can't pick one season but pretty much any season from '86 to '94 is right up there. You had the best the 80's/90's had to offer offensively vs the best goalies the game has ever seen. Today's goalies are basically oversized pylons in comparision.

 

[LowSodium]

In the modern era probably 2005-06, refs finally found their whistles after they had a year to search for them.

Sadly for 2015-16 fans, the refs have lost their whistles again, and the goalies + nets are going to suffer for it.

 

[NeelyWasAWarrior]

1992-93 my friend!

Eric Lindros took the NHL by storm in his rookie year.
Teemue scored 76 goals as a rookie smashing Bossy's record!
Young Pavel Bure was breaking out in the northwest
Mario and that Pens team were must see tv
Wayno came back from a short season to lead the Kings to the finals

21 players cracked the 100 point mark. Teams were aggressive in trying to score rather than cautious like they are today. I HATE CAUTIOUS HOCKEY!!!


Just a fun, glory filled season.

 

[Sens Rule]

92/93 is a great year. So many storylines. Mogilny/Lafontaine, Mario returns from cancer. Leafs are finally good and Gilmour is a god. Yzerman is still great. Selanne's ridiculous rookie year. Gilmour vs Gretzky. Roy 10 playoff OT wins amd Smythe vs Gretzky. Even controversy. Gretzky uncalled high stick vs Leafs. McSorley illegal stick.

87/88 was great too. Start with Canada Cup, maybe most exciting tournament ever. See Mario's best year and Gretzky's last year in Edmonton.

I would go for the orginal 6 though. Watching like 1200/1500 games one year would take far too much time. An Original 6 year like say 55/56 would be doable! Lol. 210 games plus 25 ish playoff games. Much better.

 

[Martinez]

97,98,02 ok I'm biased

 

[EichHart]

Easily 05-06. That year the NHL was played the way it was supposed to be played. The skilled players were able to use their ability and talent to score and make plays instead of getting clutched and grab by players of lesser talent and getting away with it.

 

[leaflover]

I liked the late 70's to early 80's. Doubt you'd find a very high percentage of those games though.