Rank the top 15 forwards since 1990 based on peak and/or prime

[Charlie Conway]

Overall scoring has changed dramatically since 1991. You've got guys who played in some of the highest scoring years in history mixed in with guys who played in some of the lowest scoring years.

Of course. I just think it's interesting to look at and see how a lot of the names are still popping up on the lists in this thread. Only one yet to be mentioned is Mogilny.

 

[Regal]

Wayne Gretzky's 163 points season in 1990-91 is the 11th highest point totals in a season in NHL's history and highest point totals from the 90s till now by anyone (even though Lemieux would have beaten that as he had 161 points in 95-96 in only 70 games and 160 points in 92-93 in... 60 games...).

His 1993-94 130 points season was beaten from the 90s till now only by... Lemieux (three times), Jagr, Lafontaine, Oates, Yzerman, Selänne, Turgeon, Hull (all once).

He also had 121 points in 1991-92 and was on pace for: 119 points in 92-93 (45 games, 65 points) and 107 points in 95-96. In 96-97 and 97-98 he still managed to hit 97 (good for 4th overall) and 90 (good for 3rd overall & 1 point behind Forsberg for 2nd overall) at age 37 & 38.

I think this warrants #99 to be in your list, to put it very mildly...

He deserves to be there for 90-91, and the playoff run in '93, but none of the other years. He was still a good player, but he wasn't a good enough scorer to make up for the rest of his game when we're talking the top 15 forwards of the past 25+ years.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

If the topic is "peak" and "player", how does Doug Gilmour's two year peak which occurred while winning the Selke and leading the entire league in playoff scoring with a cast ridiculously less skilled than some other names on these lists not warrant consideration?

 

[authentic]

Hi there!

1. Lemieux
2. Jagr
3. Crosby
4. Lindros
5. Forsberg
6. Sakic
7. Selanne
8. Ovechkin
9. Malkin
10. Yzerman
11. Thornton
12. Kariya
13. St. Luis
14. Iginla
15. Bure

First post!

Not a bad list at all, I just have a hard time seeing Selanne up that high.

 

[authentic]

He deserves to be there for 90-91, and the playoff run in '93, but none of the other years. He was still a good player, but he wasn't a good enough scorer to make up for the rest of his game when we're talking the top 15 forwards of the past 25+ years.

Yeah based on this he could be on the list, but I'm still not sure I would take that Gretzky over any of the players I listed in their best seasons or playoff runs. It would be very close with the last 5 atleast.

If the topic is "peak" and "player", how does Doug Gilmour's two year peak which occurred while winning the Selke and leading the entire league in playoff scoring with a cast ridiculously less skilled than some other names on these lists not warrant consideration?

Yeah he is probably not far behind that 15, close with Zetterberg for sure IMO.

 

[Regal]

Yeah based on this he could be on the list, but I'm still not sure I would take that Gretzky over any of the players I listed in their best seasons or playoff runs. It would be very close with the last 5 atleast.

I think you're underating that season. He won the Art Ross by 32 points. He was most definitely better than someone like Iginla.

 

[authentic]

I think you're underating that season. He won the Art Ross by 32 points. He was most definitely better than someone like Iginla.

Yeah I'm aware, but I still have a hard time saying a 91 Gretzky is a better player than anyone here at their best having watched a lot of him from that year, mainly in the Canada Cup. Minority opinion I guess but I just don't think he's among the top 15 from that point on.

 

[Sens Rule]

If this was based on careers or length of prime I would agree, I'm thinking more at their best established level of play.



I don't think either of them were as good as any players on my list in the 90s. Probably in the 15-20 range though, but I didn't want to make too big of a list as it gets harder the further you go.

Gretzky has the second highest peak of any forward in the 1990's after Mario. Easily. 162 points with 122 assists in 1990-91 clinched that. No argument. No debate. He is second after Mario for peak after 1990.

 

[Jeffrey]

Lemieux 93
Gretzky 91
Lindros 96
Fedorov 94
Ovechkin 08
Jagr 96
Bozak 14
Sakic 01
Thornton 06
Malkin 09
Messier 90
Hull 91
Oates 93
Bure 94
Neely 94

This is bad..
No Forsberg who was by far the most dominant forward in the late 1990 and Bozak....

 

[Jeffrey]

Another thread to show how Forsberg is the most overrated player in HFboard history

Care to elaborate?
Have you ever watched him live or are you just based your opinion on stats?

I have no problem with Forsberg higher than Crosby. Forsberg was a workhorse and dominating every game. It just sucks that he was playing in the dead puck era.

 

[Sens Rule]

He deserves to be there for 90-91, and the playoff run in '93, but none of the other years. He was still a good player, but he wasn't a good enough scorer to make up for the rest of his game when we're talking the top 15 forwards of the past 25+ years.

He is good enough to make the top 15 but not be at the top of it you want to look at the full period and players in their prime.

If you want to look at who was the BEST forward at their peak level post 1990 it is Mario first then Gretzky.

The 1990/91 version of Gretzky and the Canada Cup 1991 version of Gretzky and the 92/93 playoff version of Gretzky he still played at near the level of his full "Gretzkian" 1980's peak. That is better then anyone but peak Mario.

If you want to know who is the "best" forward after 1992 at their very best... You can leave Gretzky off entirely. But just after 1990 and Gretzky HAS to be 2nd.

 

[Sens Rule]

If the topic is "peak" and "player", how does Doug Gilmour's two year peak which occurred while winning the Selke and leading the entire league in playoff scoring with a cast ridiculously less skilled than some other names on these lists not warrant consideration?

He should be strongly considered. I would have him top 15 since 1990 at his "very" best.

 

[BruinLVGA]

He deserves to be there for 90-91, and the playoff run in '93, but none of the other years. He was still a good player, but he wasn't a good enough scorer to make up for the rest of his game when we're talking the top 15 forwards of the past 25+ years.

Yep, looking at the criteria chosen by OP (peak + from 1990) Gretzky already deserves to be in the top 15 for sure for 90-91 & 93.

But I think that the fact that he was top 3-4 in the whole league in points at age 37 & 38 when he was in pretty bad physical shape and 1 season from retirement, says it all about what kind of player he was till the end. In my opinion, it's impossible to argue against him in a top 15, even if it's from 1990 onwards.

 

[Fantomas]

My opinion.

Of course if I were to repeat names, then Ovechkin, Lemieux and Jagr would show up a bunch of times. Otherwise...

1. 92-93 Lemieux
2. 07-08 Ovechkin
3. 95-96 Jagr
4. 00-01 Sakic
5. 11-12 Malkin
6. 90-91 Hull
7. 94-95 Lindros
8. 90-91 Gretzky
9. 09-10 Crosby
10. 02-03 Forsberg
11. 01-02 Iginla
12. 98-99 Selanne
13. 93-94 Fedorov
14. 99-00 Bure
15. 02-03 Hejduk

HM:
92-93 Mogilny

 

[member 202355]

Henrik Sedin's 2009-2010 season definitely deserves to be on this list.

 

[GreatGonzo]

How is the one who had the most points through out the 90s while winning 2 scoring titles, 1st team all star, and a 4 time second team all star, NOT on the list?...

 

[ANDI P IS CUTE]

im a leafs fan but no Yzerman?

 

[zombie kopitar]

I don't see a case for him above any of Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Forsberg, Lindros or Sakic on that list.

Except for the fact he's one of 3 players in history with back to back 90 assist seasons?

 

[Regal]

Except for the fact he's one of 3 players in history with back to back 90 assist seasons?

So? Random trivial feats don't make someone better. One of the reasons he's worse than them is the reason he was able to do it: he's too passive a playmaker and doesn't have the all around offensive game of the others.

 

[Legionnaire]

Hi there!

1. Lemieux
2. Jagr
3. Crosby
4. Lindros
5. Forsberg
6. Sakic
7. Selanne
8. Ovechkin
9. Malkin
10. Yzerman
11. Thornton
12. Kariya
13. St. Luis
14. Iginla
15. Bure

First post!

Welcome aboard!

 

[creg78*]

Since 1990?

1. Lemieux
2. Jagr
3. Gretzky
4.Crosby
5.Lindros
6. Sakic
7. Fedorov
8. Foresberg
9. Malkin
10. Thornton
11. Kane
12. St louis
13. Datsyuk
14. Iginla
15. Yzerman

 

[creg78*]

If this list included 1989 Yzerman would be at like #4 btw...

 

[Slimmy]

Another thread to show how Forsberg is the most overrated player in HFboard history

In the 02/03 season Forsberg had 106 points and was a +52. Sakic was a +4. Granted, he was injured much of that season. But what Forsberg brought to the game was incredible. Monster. He took it on himself to win games.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

93 gilmour top 10 in points and won a selke
tied gretz for highest playoff ppg min 10 games at 1.67ppg...........

 

[Horvath Broncos]

Even the 90' Gretzky is better than anyone besides Mario post 90. Well I could see a case for Jagr and few other but I would srill rank Gretzky ahead of them. How good he was in the 80' shouldn't matter when we look how he was in the 90'. I think people who put Iginla, Kariya, Selänne, Jumbo Joe etc. ahead of Gretzky should really study hockey history a bit more. The 90' did start in 95.