Just talking with my brothers yesterday and looking at some stats, so I decided to put together my all-time all-star team:
Gordie Howe - Wayne Gretzky - Mark Messier
Marcel Dionne - Mario Lemieux - Jaromir Jagr
Peter Stastny - Steve Yzerman - Eric Lindros
Phil Esposito - Bryan Trottier - Brett Hull
Bobby Orr - Nik Lidstrom
Ray Bourque - Paul Coffey
Scott Stevens - Chris Chelios
Dominic Hasek
Martin Brodeur
So there it is, I went with a little more of a modern team, had to leave of guys like Doug Harvey (7 Norris trophies in 8 years) and Maurice Richard, because I just don't like to swish around era's that are so different. At least when I watch the ESPN Classic games of players in the 70's and 80's you can compare it to the hockey of today.
Some picks that might surprise some people?
Stastny - Averaged a point and a quarter per game, came into the NHL a bit later in his career, so I think his career numbers could have been even higher. Scored more points in the 1980's than any player besides Gretzky. Just look at his point totals and its tough to argue, he was the Quebec Nordiques.
Lindros - I know this is a controversial pick, but not looking at his career as a whole, but rather
how good he was in his prime. This guy was just so dominant, if only for a short period.
Trottier - I dont' think this one is very surprising, but I was waivering between him and a number of other guys, the clincher for Trottier is his playoff game scoring streak record, which spanned over 3 seasons. This guy also captained one of the best dynasty's in NHL history.
Chris Chelios - Ya I know he's old now, but think way back, he won 3 Norris trophies, was unbelievable in his prime, and was great for a long, long time.
Glaring ommissions?
Joe Sakic - thought about Joe, he could easily come in for a couple of these guys. Again, if you look at his career he gets the nod over Lindros. Sakic was a champion, and I considered that but I wanted a good mix, so I had to go with the big E.
Ron Francis - Amazing player, amazing career, same deal as Sakic, just wasn't room for him.
Patrick Roy - Roy was a great goalie, but I believe Brodeur was better, so I went with him. Hasek is my starter because no goalie was even close to as good as Hasek in his prime. If you could have any goalie in his prime it would have to be Hasek from 1998 to 2000. If you disagree with that, you're wrong.
And again, name any old time hockey guy you want, I didn't really consider many of them.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Top goons who may be available this summer:
Here are some guys who have been involved in trade rumours who were not moved at the deadline, or players who are scheduled to become UFA's this summer. These are all power forwards, gritty feisty guys, or straight up thugs:
Bobby Ryan - Ducks will most likely keep him, but he's an RFA. 22 years old, and tons of potential, he's a filthy sniper who plays with a big time edge. Could become available if contract talks stall in Anaheim.
Nathan Horton - 3 more years at a $4 million cap hit. This guy's name has been in rumours for over a year now. He's tough and talented, and still just 24. Could take a lot to get him out of Florida but I have to consider him on this list because of all the rumours.
Scott Hartnell - 3 years left at $4.2 million, and all over the trade rumours. He's still a Flyer, but could be available. Hartnell is a guy who can score up around 30 goals, and 60 points on a good year, and most importantly he's a beast. He's in your face, hits, fights, gets in the crease. He's a guy you hate to play against.
Dustin Penner - This guy has got 23 or 24 goals on the year so far. Hits hard, skates hard. 26 years old, and 2 years left on his $4.25 million contract. Oilers could move him to free up cap space for other moves.
Todd Bertuzzi - Don't be fooled by his fancy hands, he still hits and plays a mean game. He's not what he was 5 years ago, but still a grizzled vet.
Evgeny Artyukin - "The Animal" is a beast. Not a ton of finish but can move and hits everything. this guy is a pure energy player and a giant. Also he can drop the gloves with the best of 'em. UFA in July.
Wade Belak - Guess who's a UFA. Do I really need to describe this guy?
Keith Tkachuk - Old man. Still awesome. Tough in the corners, drives the net. One of the dirtiest players off all time doesn't score 40 goals a year anymore, and doesn't get suspensions for cross checking guys in the throat anymore. But he'll still make an impact on the game with his physical play.
Scott Walker - 36, not so productive anymore but brings that veteran 4th line physical presence. He's a UFA
Derek Boogaard - Falls into the 'thug' category. Boogie man is a whopping 6'8" and around 260lbs. He is not a fast skater but can make an impact on a game by the way he pushes around opponents, fights, and hits. He's a UFA on july 1st.
Joffrey Lupul - His name bounced around in rumours earlier this year. He's also bounced around a little himself going from the Ducks to the Oilers (for Pronger) to the Flyers (for Pitkanen) and back to the ducks (....for Pronger, again). He's 25, underachieving, and earning $4.25 million for 3 more seasons. But he's got some finish and he hits hard.
Owen Nolan - Grizzled old vet still got some fight in him. He'll drop the gloves, chip in with some big slap shot goals, and finish his check... hard! Owen Nolan is tough SOB. UFA this summer.
Jody Shelley - Pure enforcer, now 33 years old and UFA in July. He's a scrapper.
Ryan Malone - He's been in trade rumours ever since he signed that lucrative 7 year deal. The 30 year old still has 5 years left at a $4.5 million cap hit which makes him available. He's a big guy and he gets his gritty goals.
Bobby Ryan - Ducks will most likely keep him, but he's an RFA. 22 years old, and tons of potential, he's a filthy sniper who plays with a big time edge. Could become available if contract talks stall in Anaheim.
Nathan Horton - 3 more years at a $4 million cap hit. This guy's name has been in rumours for over a year now. He's tough and talented, and still just 24. Could take a lot to get him out of Florida but I have to consider him on this list because of all the rumours.
Scott Hartnell - 3 years left at $4.2 million, and all over the trade rumours. He's still a Flyer, but could be available. Hartnell is a guy who can score up around 30 goals, and 60 points on a good year, and most importantly he's a beast. He's in your face, hits, fights, gets in the crease. He's a guy you hate to play against.
Dustin Penner - This guy has got 23 or 24 goals on the year so far. Hits hard, skates hard. 26 years old, and 2 years left on his $4.25 million contract. Oilers could move him to free up cap space for other moves.
Todd Bertuzzi - Don't be fooled by his fancy hands, he still hits and plays a mean game. He's not what he was 5 years ago, but still a grizzled vet.
Evgeny Artyukin - "The Animal" is a beast. Not a ton of finish but can move and hits everything. this guy is a pure energy player and a giant. Also he can drop the gloves with the best of 'em. UFA in July.
Wade Belak - Guess who's a UFA. Do I really need to describe this guy?
Keith Tkachuk - Old man. Still awesome. Tough in the corners, drives the net. One of the dirtiest players off all time doesn't score 40 goals a year anymore, and doesn't get suspensions for cross checking guys in the throat anymore. But he'll still make an impact on the game with his physical play.
Scott Walker - 36, not so productive anymore but brings that veteran 4th line physical presence. He's a UFA
Derek Boogaard - Falls into the 'thug' category. Boogie man is a whopping 6'8" and around 260lbs. He is not a fast skater but can make an impact on a game by the way he pushes around opponents, fights, and hits. He's a UFA on july 1st.
Joffrey Lupul - His name bounced around in rumours earlier this year. He's also bounced around a little himself going from the Ducks to the Oilers (for Pronger) to the Flyers (for Pitkanen) and back to the ducks (....for Pronger, again). He's 25, underachieving, and earning $4.25 million for 3 more seasons. But he's got some finish and he hits hard.
Owen Nolan - Grizzled old vet still got some fight in him. He'll drop the gloves, chip in with some big slap shot goals, and finish his check... hard! Owen Nolan is tough SOB. UFA this summer.
Jody Shelley - Pure enforcer, now 33 years old and UFA in July. He's a scrapper.
Ryan Malone - He's been in trade rumours ever since he signed that lucrative 7 year deal. The 30 year old still has 5 years left at a $4.5 million cap hit which makes him available. He's a big guy and he gets his gritty goals.
leafs at the deadline
1)To Pittsburgh: Alexei Ponikarovsky
To Toronto: Luca Caputi, Martin Skoula
2)To New Jersey: Martin Skoula
To Toronto: 5th round pick
3)To Anaheim: Joey MacDonald
To Toronto: 7th round pick
4)To Pittsburgh: 6th round pick
To Toronto: Chris Peluso
5)To Phoenix: Lee Stempniak
To Toronto: Matt Jones, 4th round pick, 7th round pick
In -
Caputi
Peluso
M.Jones
4th round pick
5th round pick
7th round pick
7th round pick
Out -
Ponikarovsky
Stempniak
MacDonald
6th round pick
To Toronto: Luca Caputi, Martin Skoula
2)To New Jersey: Martin Skoula
To Toronto: 5th round pick
3)To Anaheim: Joey MacDonald
To Toronto: 7th round pick
4)To Pittsburgh: 6th round pick
To Toronto: Chris Peluso
5)To Phoenix: Lee Stempniak
To Toronto: Matt Jones, 4th round pick, 7th round pick
In -
Caputi
Peluso
M.Jones
4th round pick
5th round pick
7th round pick
7th round pick
Out -
Ponikarovsky
Stempniak
MacDonald
6th round pick
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