Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
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Who is the most complete all around player ever, in your opinion. To me the names that automatically come into my head are Orr, Howe and Trottier. For the reason that they all did everyting very, very, good or even great.
Bobby Orr - When a defenseman wins the Art Ross, Hart, Conn Smythe, Norris and the Cup in the same year ('70) that is pretty darn complete. Orr won 8 Norris trophies form '68-'75 and in that time he won three Harts, two Art Ross' and two Cups. Basically Orr could play in any type of game in any situation. If Boston needed a tying goal he was on the ice, as well if they needed to shut down the other team late in the game. Orr could rush the puck, shoot, pass, hit, and if he had to drop the gloves he could do that to. What a package!
Gordie Howe - Old-timers still say Howe is the best ever. 20 straight years of being in the top 5 in scoring is mind boggling! He won six scoring titles, including four straight. But it wasnt just points Gordie is remembered by, in fact I'll bet guys that played against him remember his elbows more than anything else. A Gordie Howe hat trick is a goal, assist and a fight. That is a pretty complete game right there. Not only were guys afraid of him on the score sheet but how about being a rookie in your first game against him. He tested you, and owned you physically as long as he wanted to. Like Orr there was no weakness in his game, Nowhere!
Bryan Trottier - Trottier was the backbone of the Isles four straight Cups. He could score, hit, pass and check. He was just so strong, very strong on his feet. He won the Hart and Art Ross in '79 and multiple times had well over 100 points. Yet he also never had any weaknesses in his game. He could skate, shoot and was a leader on that team even if Ptovin was the captain. He won the Conn Smythe in '80 the Isles first Cup vs. Philly. This is when every one thought the Isles were still choke artists (think '78, '79) and he led that team to victory when Philly still had that "Borad Street Bullies" feel about them. A lot of heart he had!
Its hard to mention anyone else but feel free to. I left out Gretzky cause even if he scored 200 points he never had a shot at the Selke. And he never intimidated anyone in his life. Lemieux lacked defense and physically dominating a game. Remember this is the most complete player, a guy who excelled at everything.
So if you can think of anyone else then go for it. Other guys that come to mind are Messier. He never had any weaknesses either. He scored 50 goals once. 100 points many times. Could hit, even lay out a cheap shot just to intimidate people.
Another one if you want to go out on a limb is Bob Gainey. He may not have ever had more than 47 points in a season but in '79 it was Viktor Tikhonov who stated that he was the greatest player in the world, and that if he had 20 Bob Gainey's he'd never lose a game. He was good at everything. He won the Selke 5 times.
Bobby Orr - When a defenseman wins the Art Ross, Hart, Conn Smythe, Norris and the Cup in the same year ('70) that is pretty darn complete. Orr won 8 Norris trophies form '68-'75 and in that time he won three Harts, two Art Ross' and two Cups. Basically Orr could play in any type of game in any situation. If Boston needed a tying goal he was on the ice, as well if they needed to shut down the other team late in the game. Orr could rush the puck, shoot, pass, hit, and if he had to drop the gloves he could do that to. What a package!
Gordie Howe - Old-timers still say Howe is the best ever. 20 straight years of being in the top 5 in scoring is mind boggling! He won six scoring titles, including four straight. But it wasnt just points Gordie is remembered by, in fact I'll bet guys that played against him remember his elbows more than anything else. A Gordie Howe hat trick is a goal, assist and a fight. That is a pretty complete game right there. Not only were guys afraid of him on the score sheet but how about being a rookie in your first game against him. He tested you, and owned you physically as long as he wanted to. Like Orr there was no weakness in his game, Nowhere!
Bryan Trottier - Trottier was the backbone of the Isles four straight Cups. He could score, hit, pass and check. He was just so strong, very strong on his feet. He won the Hart and Art Ross in '79 and multiple times had well over 100 points. Yet he also never had any weaknesses in his game. He could skate, shoot and was a leader on that team even if Ptovin was the captain. He won the Conn Smythe in '80 the Isles first Cup vs. Philly. This is when every one thought the Isles were still choke artists (think '78, '79) and he led that team to victory when Philly still had that "Borad Street Bullies" feel about them. A lot of heart he had!
Its hard to mention anyone else but feel free to. I left out Gretzky cause even if he scored 200 points he never had a shot at the Selke. And he never intimidated anyone in his life. Lemieux lacked defense and physically dominating a game. Remember this is the most complete player, a guy who excelled at everything.
So if you can think of anyone else then go for it. Other guys that come to mind are Messier. He never had any weaknesses either. He scored 50 goals once. 100 points many times. Could hit, even lay out a cheap shot just to intimidate people.
Another one if you want to go out on a limb is Bob Gainey. He may not have ever had more than 47 points in a season but in '79 it was Viktor Tikhonov who stated that he was the greatest player in the world, and that if he had 20 Bob Gainey's he'd never lose a game. He was good at everything. He won the Selke 5 times.
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