I am alarmed by anyone who thinks this is an easy choice.
IMO this is a great poll. I think both guys get a little underrated as hockey players (Esposito is a world class butthead).
I think Esposito's 76 goal season - purely in terms of statistical offensive output - is one of the all time great seasons ever, and yes, arguably up there with Gretzky's best peak seasons or perhaps a half a step below.
Can't there be a poll option for tie? I feel like there ought to be in these cases. Why can't feel as if two players are pretty even?
yup, said it before. Espo's greatness gets overlooked because of Gretzky
Phil Esposito.
He gets diminished by some as simply feeding off of Orr, and was unfortunately too close to when Gretzky played.
People forget that he literally re-wrote the record books. Problem is Gretzky came along only 5 years later and re-wrote them again. So he didnt get the benefit of being the best scorer of all time for a couple decades so that his legend could grow. Gretzky was close enough time wise to cut the legs out from under the Espo legend.
717 G - 813 A - 1,590 Pts
5x Ross
6x Rocket
Finished 2nd all time in points and goals, and 3rd all time in assists
Retired with the single season goals and points records
first to score 60 goals in a season
first to score 70 goals in a season
retired as only player to score 1,000 points in 1 decade
retired with a record 13 consecutive 30+ goal seasons