Is Ovechkin a greater player than Yzerman and Sakic

what do you think?


  • Total voters
    411

ER89

Registered User
Jul 25, 2018
4,481
4,374
Idk how anyone thinks Ovi is better than both unless they look at just the stats. Both Sakic and Yzerman were guys you built championship teams around and they will deliver. Ovi had stacked teams and continuously failed and the one time his team pulled through, it wasn't like the lit the world on fire. This is a joke. It's classic HF

1. Stats over eye test
2. Not understanding it's about game impact and not numbers
3. Recency bias
4. Highlights over the entire game
5. Not understanding intagibles

I should open up a school, business would be booming with the help you guys need.
What a stupid post. The other two played in a capless era. Yzerman had like multiple hofers to help him win the cup. You can be arrogant or stupid, not both. Pick one.
 

wetcoast

Registered User
Nov 20, 2018
22,246
10,125
For me personally, the greatest goal scorer of all time must show better versatility than just a snipe. In my book Mario Lemieux is probably the greatest goal scorer ever because he could score in all and every ways. He could score on his backhand with a Nordique player riding rodeo on his back from the neutral zone and in, he was lethal one-on-one, he was lethal through traffic, he could masquerade his sweep shot, and all that. Ovechkin wasn't even that good on breakaways/shootouts, just average. The greatest goal scorer of all time just can't be average on a breakaway, in my book, it just doesn't make sense.

I’ll take Ovi but really any list of top 5 or heck even top 10 for goal scoring is going to come down to individual preferences and I think that if Ovi came into the league the same year as Mario he would have passed Wayne on the all time scoring list and probably might have close to 1000 which would be a “magic” number for many.
 

sdf

Registered User
Jan 23, 2015
2,219
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Rostov on Don
For me personally, the greatest goal scorer of all time must show better versatility than just a snipe. In my book Mario Lemieux is probably the greatest goal scorer ever because he could score in all and every ways. He could score on his backhand with a Nordique player riding rodeo on his back from the neutral zone and in, he was lethal one-on-one, he was lethal through traffic, he could masquerade his sweep shot, and all that. Ovechkin wasn't even that good on breakaways/shootouts, just average. The greatest goal scorer of all time just can't be average on a breakaway, in my book, it just doesn't make sense.
you are just formulated what i tryed to say about him.

I've watched an interview with some former soviet player, and he said that ovechkin was that great in the 2000s only because of his exeptional phisical abilitys and confidance, but when that abilitys were for some reason decreased, it turned out that in terms of pure skill he is just far from being a star player
 

ItWasJustified

Registered User
Jan 1, 2015
4,280
5,270
So there was a thread in the main board about Ovechkin's legacy, and what a 2nd cup would do. there was some discussion about him being/not being greater players than Yzerman and Sakic.

What is your take on that? has ovie surpassed these guys, or will he always be behind them on an all time list?
Playing center is much harder than being a winger. That's the only reason why he will never surpass Sakic and Yzerman in my opinion.
 
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McNuge

Registered User
Dec 17, 2010
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Cambridge Ontario
For me personally, the greatest goal scorer of all time must show better versatility than just a snipe. In my book Mario Lemieux is probably the greatest goal scorer ever because he could score in all and every ways. He could score on his backhand with a Nordique player riding rodeo on his back from the neutral zone and in, he was lethal one-on-one, he was lethal through traffic, he could masquerade his sweep shot, and all that. Ovechkin wasn't even that good on breakaways/shootouts, just average. The greatest goal scorer of all time just can't be average on a breakaway, in my book, it just doesn't make sense.
To me the greatest goal scorer is the one where every single person in the building knows what's coming yet no one can stop it. It's actually hilarious going back and watching old Ovi highlights. Seeing teams completely abandon him on the PP in order to try and prevent passes to him.
 

Hanji

Registered User
Oct 14, 2009
3,153
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Wisconsin
Do most people rank Bobby Hull ahead of Yzerman/Sakic?

Because Ovi and Hull are similar physical goalscoring freaks-of-nature who could've paid more attention to the defensive aspect of the game. They have similar stats and each has won 1 Cup.
Except, unlike Hull, Ovechkin didn’t whine about a perceived lack of playing time that culminated in his coach getting fired. Yes, Hull did that to Rudy Pilous.
But whatever, Hull is an good ole boy all-time great while Ovechkin is obviously below Yzerman and Sakic.

Those lazy Euros need to stay in their place!
 
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Nocashstyle

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May 27, 2009
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Ovi: 3 Hart wins and 6 other top 10 finishes.

Sakic: 1 Hart win and 5 other top 10 finishes.

Yzerman: No wins but 6 top 10 finishes.
 

SkinsFan09

Registered User
Jun 10, 2009
5,194
1,496
Brooklyn
Idk how anyone thinks Ovi is better than both unless they look at just the stats. Both Sakic and Yzerman were guys you built championship teams around and they will deliver. Ovi had stacked teams and continuously failed and the one time his team pulled through, it wasn't like the lit the world on fire. This is a joke. It's classic HF

1. Stats over eye test
2. Not understanding it's about game impact and not numbers
3. Recency bias
4. Highlights over the entire game
5. Not understanding intagibles

I should open up a school, business would be booming with the help you guys need.

LMAO. The Avalanche and Red Wings built teams littered with Hall of Famers pre salary cap and you are talking about how Ovechkin had stacked teams. It is extremely possible Ovechkin will have never played multiple years with a SINGLE Hall of Famer because Backstrom while good is not a lock by any stretch.
 
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SkinsFan09

Registered User
Jun 10, 2009
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Brooklyn
Lmao, you're joking right. Those caps team were winning presidents and always choked, especially Ovi. I see you have the memory of a fish. But that's okay, I'm here to help.

If you're actually in high school as your profile suggests, that would seem about right because not a single person thinks the Capitals teams would even stand a chance in a 7-game series vs. the Wings and Avalanche rosters.
 

SkinsFan09

Registered User
Jun 10, 2009
5,194
1,496
Brooklyn
For me personally, the greatest goal scorer of all time must show better versatility than just a snipe. In my book Mario Lemieux is probably the greatest goal scorer ever because he could score in all and every ways. He could score on his backhand with a Nordique player riding rodeo on his back from the neutral zone and in, he was lethal one-on-one, he was lethal through traffic, he could masquerade his sweep shot, and all that. Ovechkin wasn't even that good on breakaways/shootouts, just average. The greatest goal scorer of all time just can't be average on a breakaway, in my book, it just doesn't make sense.

The year is 2021. 730 goals later people seriously think Ovechkin simply stood around and sniped goals. He definitely didn't win 3 MVPs bulldozing his way through and around defenders. He is also terrific around the net and in the second half of his career solid on deflections.

Maybe you're talking about Auston Matthews?
 
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SkinsFan09

Registered User
Jun 10, 2009
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Brooklyn
He started piling up Rockets partly because he abandoned a more all-round offensive game to become a designated sniper. Another part of it is also competition. After Stamkos fell off from his younger goal scoring self, Ovechkin didn't really have any serious competition for the goal scoring title. Insert a guy like Bure or Bossy there, and Ovechkin doesn't win most of his post peak Rockets.

Mike Bossy had 9 50 goal seasons in an era where scoring goals was a dime a dozen. Ovechkin scored 50 goals 8 times, obviously would be 10 if not for COVID and the 2012 lockout in an era where scoring was significantly harder. Give Ovechkin 80s skates, a wooden stick, and half the physical training and he'd still beat Bossy.
 

thadd

Oil4Life
Jun 9, 2007
26,717
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Canada
Better hockey player? I'm not sure how Ovie is winning this. Possibly very few people here actually watched Sakic and Yzerman play or understood the impact they had on their teams.
 

tarheelhockey

Offside Review Specialist
Feb 12, 2010
84,977
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Speaking as someone who really likes all three of them, this is very hard to call. Like, very hard.

Basically, Sakic and Yzerman fulfill a certain paradigm that we demand of franchise players. Not just that they’re top-level elite talents, but also having a winning narrative and being two of the most respected men in the game. They both went through some rocky years, and were very fortunate to be on the scene when their franchises went nova. As a result they go down as playoff warriors on top of everything else.

Ovechkin doesn’t fit that paradigm so closely. He’s brash, routinely disrespected, plays a relatively limited role compared to two great all-round centerman. In a lot of ways he’s the heel, like a Marchand or Messier. But then again… he’s got a solid case as the best goal scorer ever. He’s definitely got a case as the most physically punishing player in that conversation. He’s intense, willful, doesn’t go down without a fight. In terms of players who you want to hard-match with a shadow because he’s capable of turning a game singlehandedly, he’s more dangerous than either of the other two.

I don’t know who I take between them and I don’t have a strong gut feeling for how I rank them. Certainly I would say they’re all as great as each other, and there’s still a small window for Ovie to clinch his case.
 

sr edler

gold is not reality
Mar 20, 2010
11,845
6,289
The year is 2021. 730 goals later people seriously think Ovechkin simply stood around and sniped goals. He definitely didn't win 3 MVPs bulldozing his way through and around defenders. He is also terrific around the net and in the second half of his career solid on deflections.

Maybe you're talking about Auston Matthews?
Mike Bossy had 9 50 goal seasons in an era where scoring goals was a dime a dozen. Ovechkin scored 50 goals 8 times, obviously would be 10 if not for COVID and the 2012 lockout in an era where scoring was significantly harder. Give Ovechkin 80s skates, a wooden stick, and half the physical training and he'd still beat Bossy.

I know it's the current year, but no need to be so defensive. Yeah, I agree he's kinda sneaky around the net too, and that's a strength. And what does Auston Matthews have to do with anything? Matthews' game is too much focus on that snipe, too, which makes him a bit predictable come the more tight checking playoffs. He doesn't stand around and snipe though, he skates around and snipe. And he's also parroting Ovechkin's early playoffs exits. Peak Ovechkin (2007–2010) still did his goal scoring part in the playoffs though, and was evidently better than Matthews.

But, one arena that clearly supports my theory is the international stage. Ovechkin's been very enthusiastic throughout the years about joining the national team to play in international tourneys, so we have a pretty decent sample size. But, he hasn't really been that successful for a player of his perceived stature. That's because the international big ice game is different than the NHL game. Ovechkin's style and physics are better suited for the tighter NHL game. But Bure never had problems with the international game, Bossy never had problems with the international game, Mario Lemieux never had problems with the international game. They all excelled in different environments.
 
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Devil Dancer

Registered User
Jan 21, 2006
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Idk how anyone thinks Ovi is better than both unless they look at just the stats. Both Sakic and Yzerman were guys you built championship teams around and they will deliver. Ovi had stacked teams and continuously failed and the one time his team pulled through, it wasn't like the lit the world on fire. This is a joke. It's classic HF

1. Stats over eye test
2. Not understanding it's about game impact and not numbers
3. Recency bias
4. Highlights over the entire game
5. Not understanding intagibles

I should open up a school, business would be booming with the help you guys need.
Wait, you're knocking Ovie for playing on good teams but not Steve f***ing Yzerman? Are you kidding me?
 

Connor McConnor

Registered User
Nov 22, 2017
5,242
6,011
Idk how anyone thinks Ovi is better than both unless they look at just the stats. Both Sakic and Yzerman were guys you built championship teams around and they will deliver. Ovi had stacked teams and continuously failed and the one time his team pulled through, it wasn't like the lit the world on fire. This is a joke. It's classic HF

1. Stats over eye test
2. Not understanding it's about game impact and not numbers
3. Recency bias
4. Highlights over the entire game
5. Not understanding intagibles

I should open up a school, business would be booming with the help you guys need.

Did this dude really just say Ovi had stacked teams compared to Sakic and Yzerman? LOL. Those 2 played on some of the most stacked teams we've seen in NHL history. Yzerman legit played with borderline 5 other top 50 NHL all-timers in his career and Sakic was the same thing.
 

BenchBrawl

Registered User
Jul 26, 2010
30,844
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He peaked higher. Not as much of a cornerstone/foundational type player though. Overall, better career still. Peaked too high to ignore.
 

HugeInTheShire

You may not like me but, I'm Huge in the Shire
Mar 8, 2021
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Due to the fact that a lot of people on here probably never watched Yzerman or Sakic play the game it's loaded in Ovie's favor

Is he a better goal scorer than these 2.... Yep
Is he a better all around player than either.... Nope

Yzerman and Sakic had better teams for sure, but they also played a lot of years in the "dead puck" era

All this being said, I watched all 3 players and can tell you Ovie is the best of the 3, but it's not nearly as cut and dry as trophies
 

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