While there are countless great players in history, some players have more fame than others. Let’s look at five of the best, from Gordie Howe to Jaromir Jagr, to Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr. These players will forever be remembered for their exceptional ability to play the game. Let’s also examine their contributions to the game as a whole. This article will help you decide which players are deserving of the top spot.
Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr is a Czechoslovakian professional ice hockey player. He currently plays for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. He previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Calgary Flames. In addition to winning two Stanley Cups, Jagr has more than one thousand points, including four Stanley Cups. He was also a three-time winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award and was five times the league’s top scorer.
In addition to scoring goals, Jagr has had some controversial moments. During his time in the NHL, he got ripped by Alexander Ovechkin at the Olympics. This led to a blackmail threat, and Jagr reportedly told the woman to go public with it. While many big guys play tight with their sticks, Jagr is a rare player who has the strength to stop opponents one-on-one.
Gordie Howe
As a player, Gordie Howe’s legendary skills and playmaking ability set the standard for forwards. He won four Stanley Cups and six league MVP awards and ranked as the league’s top scorer on six occasions. Although he retired in 1980, Howe held many NHL records until the legendary Wayne Gretzky came along. His 1,767 career games and seasons played lead all players. However, Patrick Marleau will pass this record in 2021. In 2008, he was awarded an NHL Life Achievement Award.
For all his talent and hard work, Howe had a remarkable career. He had an average NHL goal total of under 3.00 in 23 of his 27 seasons in the league. Today, that number is roughly equal to 2.7 goals per game. And despite his age, Howe was able to play countless games with his two sons. He played for the Houston Aeros and the New England Whalers and dominated the scoring race for two decades.
Mario Lemieux
For a long time, Mario Lemieux was one of the best players in the NHL. He had impressive stats for most of his career and scored 200 goals and 200 points in the 1988-89 season. In 2005, he retired from hockey after suffering from recurring health issues. In his final season, however, he made history by signing a $42 million contract for seven more years with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In addition to being one of the most successful players in NHL history, he also led to some rule changes that led to the 2005 lockout.
After finishing last in the NHL draft, the Penguins drafted Lemieux with the first overall pick. Lemieux was a superstar right from his first shift. He ripped the puck from future Hall-of-Famer Ray Bourque on a breakaway, scored a goal against Bruins goalie Pete Peters, and scored many highlight-reel goals. In addition, Lemieux won six Stanley Cups and was the first player to win the game’s MVP award.
Bobby Orr
A true hockey legend, Bobby Orr possessed speed, strength, and a keen sense of defense. He showed his savvy on both ends of the ice and won 18 awards during his illustrious career. Born in Parry Sound, Ontario, Orr won the Stanley Cup twice and played 26 games in his last two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. He had a stellar career and would have been one of the best players of all time if he hadn’t retired so young.
Many consider Bobby Orr the best defenseman in NHL history, and he definitely was. His quickness allowed him to score goals from almost any position, and he also set up teammates with pinpoint passes. He was considered the gold standard of the defender position, and he led his teammates against Alan Eagleson and Doug Harvey. However, some argue that he may not have been the best player on the ice, but he is one of the 5 greatest hockey players in history.
Wayne Gretzky
While many current NHL players have surpassed his record-breaking goals and assists, only a few can match Gretzky’s achievements. While many of today’s best players may never reach their career-best stats, they are still extremely successful. For example, Gretzky is the only player in NHL history to score over 200 points in a season. While top players typically score around 100 points a season, Gretzky averaged 130 assists per season. Nikita Kucherov, the current leading assist scorer, is just second to Gretzky.
In his illustrious career, Gretzky played a total of 20 seasons for the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. While on each team, Gretzky served as the center. In the process, Gretzky helped popularize the sport in America. In 1999, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. One of the most famous facts about Gretzky is that he is the only player in NHL history to score over 200 points in a single season.
My Final Thoughts The greatest hockey players
Of all time are those that have impacted the game the most. Howe, Lemieux, Orr, and Gretzky have all done that. They have achieved unparalleled success on the ice and have helped grow the sport of hockey. These are the players that should be remembered as the greatest of all time. Thank you for reading!
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