All-Time Roster

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.