NHL unveils 20 greatest teams of all time

[JaegerDice]

Hard to compare teams from different seasons. Rules change (I'm sure coach's challenge had an impact on scoring, for instance), scoring goes up and down during different eras (Benn winning Art Ross at just over PPG).

Canucks dominated the 2011 season like I have never seen in the NHL. They were #1, or top 3, in every major metric (goals for, goals against, power play %, PK %, wins, etc.). Relatively speaking (that is, relative to every other team in the league during their season), they are one of the best teams the NHL has seen post-2004.

You're comparing teams across multiple seasons. I'm comparing teams based on how they matched up with other teams during the same season, as it gives a more level playing field and is more objective on how they measure up to the rest of the NHL.

I don't think many people would buy the argument that the game has changed a great deal between 2008 and 2017, outside of OT and icing rules. Certainly not enough to warrant era adjustment. We're talking within the same era as far as scoring averages.

And as far as '1st or top 3 in all categories', many teams fit the same bill, with better numbers. I don't have time to look it up right now, but at least the 2013 Blackhawks and 2008 Red Wings do so. Probably the 2010 Blackhawks too.

 

[Regal]

I don't think many people would buy the argument that the game has changed a great deal between 2008 and 2017, outside of OT and icing rules. Certainly not enough to warrant era adjustment. We're talking within the same era as far as scoring averages.

And as far as '1st or top 3 in all categories', many teams fit the same bill, with better numbers. I don't have time to look it up right now, but at least the 2013 Blackhawks and 2008 Red Wings do so. Probably the 2010 Blackhawks too.

The number of powerplays would be the biggest change over those years, and how they are called would have some effect, depending on how disciplined teams are and how good they are on the PP relative to even strength. Though these teams are generally strong in all areas to the point it might not matter much.

 

[Griffin6612]

Pens fan a little shocked with the 16 pens. They whooped butts in the playoffs and for hf a season, but top 20? Ehh

 

[Voight]

Pens fan a little shocked with the 16 pens. They whooped butts in the playoffs and for hf a season, but top 20? Ehh

Post-lockout, the 2006-2007 Ducks should have been picked instead of them.

 

[madmike77]

In:
Colorado, 1996

Out:
Calgary, 1989

Don't think there's any way the 89 Flames come out. That team should have won more than one cup. I mean they had Fleury playing on the 4th line. Gilmour, Nieuwendyk, Loob, Mullen, Roberts up front. And MacInnis and Suter on D.

 

[JaegerDice]

Post-lockout, the 2006-2007 Ducks should have been picked instead of them.

As a full season maybe.

If the 2007 Ducks and 2016 Pens ever met in a 7 game series, the Penguins would run over them.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

I don't see how any of the Islander teams make the cut. They started their run when four teams were added to the league, and in 82 the NHL went from a 17 skater squads to an 18 skater roster. In a sense adding an additional 21 players to the league. Other than the Flyers, their Cup final opponents were push overs.

 

[10Ducky10]

I have only read teh OP so if someone has stated this, my apologies.
How the #&$* does a late 50s Canadiens team not make the list?

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

If Isaac Newton was transported today from his time, he wouldn't know how to use a computer, therefore, I'm smarter than Newton.

would you be a mathematician during his time? probably not so no, you are not smarter

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

Post-lockout, the 2006-2007 Ducks should have been picked instead of them.

stop it with the ducks, overrated on this forum but rated properly everywhere else

that team did nothing before or after their cup so lets stop pretending they were anything but a one year wonder

pens are proving even more how great they were last year by more than likely at least playing in the finals back to back

 

[Jaromir Blogger]

What a horrendous list.

 

[ScaredStreit]

I don't see how any of the Islander teams make the cut. They started their run when four teams were added to the league, and in 82 the NHL went from a 17 skater squads to an 18 skater roster. In a sense adding an additional 21 players to the league. Other than the Flyers, their Cup final opponents were push overs.

Gretzky and the Oilers were pushovers?

 

[iDangleDangle]

07-08 Wings should be there over the 15-16 Pens.

 

[57special]

Were there no good teams before the 1970s?

The Howe DRW OF THE 50's, and the Richard(s), Beliveau, Geoffrion, Plante, Harvey Habs, as well as the Leafs of the 40's were terrific teams. This list is EMBARASSING

 

[Channelcat]

In:
Colorado, 1996

Out:
Calgary, 1989

I think its a very good list, but you could make a very good argument for this.

 

[Voight]

stop it with the ducks, overrated on this forum but rated properly everywhere else

that team did nothing before or after their cup so lets stop pretending they were anything but a one year wonder

pens are proving even more how great they were last year by more than likely at least playing in the finals back to back

I guess if we pretend the 2006 playoffs never happened, then sure.

As a full season maybe.

If the 2007 Ducks and 2016 Pens ever met in a 7 game series, the Penguins would run over them.

Disagree, Ducks in 6.

Were there no good teams before the 1970s?

NHL likes to think real hockey began in 1967.

 

[ToastedFlower*]

· 2015-16 Pittsburgh Penguins
· 2009-10 Chicago Blackhawks
· 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings
· 2000-01 Colorado Avalanche
· 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings
· 1993-94 New York Rangers
· 1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins
· 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins
· 1988-89 Calgary Flames
· 1987-88 Edmonton Oilers
· 1986-87 Edmonton Oilers
· 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers
· 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers
· 1982-83 New York Islanders
· 1981-82 New York Islanders
· 1979-80 New York Islanders
· 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens
· 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens
· 1975-76 Montreal Canadiens
· 1969-1970 Boston Bruins

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/05/18/nhl-unveils-20-greatest-teams-of-all-time/

I guess the Kings 16-4 didn't make the cut? Im not a Kings fan but that was dominance at its finest.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Gretzky and the Oilers were pushovers?

That was their first trip to the finals. They figured it out the following year.

 

[ToastedFlower*]

Twenty greatest of all time yes nothing before the 70s?

Habs have 25 Stanley Cups yet only 3 of their teams are on the list and they had some amazing teams.

Ya not a terrible list but not the best either and as mentioned that 70 Bruins are not better than the 77 Habs.

Id say it has something to do with the lack of teams playing back then to now. Hence why it starts at 67...

 

[Bear of Bad News]

Id say it has something to do with the lack of teams playing back then to now.

I'd say it has more to do with the cohort voting.

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

I guess if we pretend the 2006 playoffs never happened, then sure.



Disagree, Ducks in 6.



NHL likes to think real hockey began in 1967.

lost in the conference final to one of the worst finalists ever, what is your point?

07 ducks are easily the most overrated team on this forum, it's been a decade and it seems like as each year goes by they get "better and better"

 

[Kirikanoir]

I guess the Kings 16-4 didn't make the cut? Im not a Kings fan but that was dominance at its finest.

8th seed that had pretty average regular season.

 

[Kirikanoir]

A few of the teams that should have made the list.

1926-27 Ottawa 30-10-4=64
1950-51 Toronto 41-16-13=95
1951-52 Detroit 44-14-12=100
1955-56 Montreal 45-15-10=100
1957-58 Montreal 43-17-10=96
1961-62 Toronto 37-22-11=85
1968-69 Montreal 46-19-11=103
1971-72 Boston 54-13-11=119
1972-73 Montreal 52-10-16=120
1973-74 Philadelphia 50-16-12=112
1974-75 Philadelphia 51-18-11=113

 

[Kirikanoir]

NHL likes to think real hockey began in 1967.

Given that the fans voted for the list it`s more like fans that think real hockey began after 1970

 

[SatanwasaSlovak]

The Rangers from 94 don't belong there.

And it lacks a Devils team if they were going by modern history.