The Hockey News top 50 Players

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Kovy,

You are fighting a losing battle with your comments about Lemieux. If that is your opinion that is fine, but I honestly have to say that is one of the dumbest things I have EVER heard. To say any of those players has more skill the Mario is ridiculous. Mario lived off of skill his first 10 years in the league. He might be THE most skilled player ever. You can have your opinion, but my opinion is thats it the craziest thing I have ever heard. Based solely on skill, Mario is the best ever. The reason many (not all) consider Gretzky the better player is because of his drive. Very few try to argue that Gretz had better skill.

Best because of what, his points or his talent?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalchuk?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalev?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Fedorov?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Jagr?

Just share your thoughts and don't just tell me what I say is dumb.

[DarkStar50 679]

Sure hockey is not a 1 on 1 game but on a one on one it's pure skills game nothing else.

You really should ask your Dad how Mario made NHL defencemen look silly 1 on 1. The big reach, the dangle.

Why don't these other 7 have 66 like #'s?

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Sure hockey is not a 1 on 1 game but on a one on one it's pure skills game nothing else.

You really should ask your Dad how Mario made NHL defencemen look silly 1 on 1. The big reach, the dangle.

Why don't these other 7 have 66 like #'s?

When Mario played in his prime, the game was not what it is right now. There was player that was not even training off-ice and that were drinking beer after game.

Now the game is tighter, all players stronger/bigger/faster/quicker.

[Chadd 916]

Kovy,

You are fighting a losing battle with your comments about Lemieux.  If that is your opinion that is fine, but I honestly have to say that is one of the dumbest things I have EVER heard.  To say any of those players has more skill the Mario is ridiculous.  Mario lived off of skill his first 10 years in the league.  He might be THE most skilled player ever.  You can have your opinion, but my opinion is thats it the craziest thing I have ever heard.  Based solely on skill, Mario is the best ever.  The reason many (not all) consider Gretzky the better player is because of his drive.  Very few try to argue that Gretz had better skill.

Best because of what, his points or his talent?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalchuk?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalev?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Fedorov?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Jagr?

Just share your thoughts and don't just tell me what I say is dumb.

While Kovalev may have a better shot and be a better stickhandler than Mario, he doesn't have the same vision that Mario has. Kovy still has to learn when he should pass or when he should stickhandle and he's been in the league forever. In their prime I would take Mario over all of them, except for maybe Kovalchuk if he continues to grow as a player and everyone here knows how I feel about Mario.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Kovy,

You are fighting a losing battle with your comments about Lemieux.  If that is your opinion that is fine, but I honestly have to say that is one of the dumbest things I have EVER heard.  To say any of those players has more skill the Mario is ridiculous.  Mario lived off of skill his first 10 years in the league.  He might be THE most skilled player ever.  You can have your opinion, but my opinion is thats it the craziest thing I have ever heard.  Based solely on skill, Mario is the best ever.  The reason many (not all) consider Gretzky the better player is because of his drive.  Very few try to argue that Gretz had better skill.

Best because of what, his points or his talent?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalchuk?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalev?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Fedorov?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Jagr?

Just share your thoughts and don't just tell me what I say is dumb.

While Kovalev may have a better shot and be a better stickhandler than Mario, he doesn't have the same vision that Mario has. Kovy still has to learn when he should pass or when he should stickhandle and he's been in the league forever. In their prime I would take Mario over all of them, except for maybe Kovalchuk if he continues to grow as a player and everyone here knows how I feel about Mario.

I have to agree with you because you see skills and you know what I mean. But Chadd do you agree that an Kovalev has more raw skills that Lemieux?

I become mad when I heard those guys say that mario is a better stickhandler than Kovalev or a better skater thhan Fedorov

[DarkStar50 679]

I'm pretty sure they still drink beer. Or was that Poland Spring in Lightning locker room after Cup Final?

[sherwood21 0]

Players like Fedorov, Kovalev, Samsononv, Kariya, Sakic, Kovalchuk, Datsyuk, Forsberg, Jagr, etc... are all guys that got way more skills than Mario IMO. I'll took them all before Mario in a 1 vs 1 matchup.

Mario got a great carreer because of his confidence and his size and certain talent but IMO not awesome skills.

It doesn't matter how much skill you have, if you don't put it to use then there is no point in even having it. At the end of the day the question isnt going to be whether or not you have skill< its going to be if you are getting er done on the scoresheet

[DarkStar50 679]

[

I have to agree with you because you see skills and you know what I mean. But Chadd do you agree that an Kovalev has more raw skills that Lemieux?

Mario has the results (Cups, MVP's, scoring titles) and Kovy has one Cup w/NYR.

Kovy is world of talent but not much to show for it, unfortunately. Dan Marino is a Hall of Fame QB but Joe Montana has the Super Bowl rings from the era. Hard to compare two sports but sometimes it is about the ring.

[Chadd 916]

Kovy,

You are fighting a losing battle with your comments about Lemieux.  If that is your opinion that is fine, but I honestly have to say that is one of the dumbest things I have EVER heard.  To say any of those players has more skill the Mario is ridiculous.  Mario lived off of skill his first 10 years in the league.  He might be THE most skilled player ever.  You can have your opinion, but my opinion is thats it the craziest thing I have ever heard.  Based solely on skill, Mario is the best ever.  The reason many (not all) consider Gretzky the better player is because of his drive.  Very few try to argue that Gretz had better skill.

Best because of what, his points or his talent?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalchuk?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalev?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Fedorov?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Jagr?

Just share your thoughts and don't just tell me what I say is dumb.

While Kovalev may have a better shot and be a better stickhandler than Mario, he doesn't have the same vision that Mario has. Kovy still has to learn when he should pass or when he should stickhandle and he's been in the league forever. In their prime I would take Mario over all of them, except for maybe Kovalchuk if he continues to grow as a player and everyone here knows how I feel about Mario.

I have to agree with you because you see skills and you know what I mean. But Chadd do you agree that an Kovalev has more raw skills that Lemieux?

I become mad when I heard those guys say that mario is a better stickhandler than Kovalev or a better skater thhan Fedorov

At this point in his career all Mario has left are his hands. His bad hip and back have robbed him of his speed and agility, things that were strengths of his when he broke into the league. Is his stickhandling as flashy as Kovalev? Not even close. Is his stickhandling as effective as Kovalev? Yes. Just because a player doesn't pull insane individual moves, doesn't mean he is ineffective or even less skilled. Mario uses his hands to create passing opportunities and scoring chances for others.

I notice you left out passing in your comparison and that's the one area where all of the guys you mentioned pale in comparison to Mario and he was far behind Wayne in passing skill in vision. It's interesting to note that all of the players you mentioned have been called selfish at times during their career.

I would say that Kovalev has different skills than Mario.

[mack 44]

The password is....potential. Kovalev had it and let it waste.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Kovy,

You are fighting a losing battle with your comments about Lemieux.  If that is your opinion that is fine, but I honestly have to say that is one of the dumbest things I have EVER heard.  To say any of those players has more skill the Mario is ridiculous.  Mario lived off of skill his first 10 years in the league.  He might be THE most skilled player ever.  You can have your opinion, but my opinion is thats it the craziest thing I have ever heard.  Based solely on skill, Mario is the best ever.  The reason many (not all) consider Gretzky the better player is because of his drive.  Very few try to argue that Gretz had better skill.

Best because of what, his points or his talent?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalchuk?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Kovalev?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Fedorov?

Is Mario a better stickhandler/shooter/skater than Jagr?

Just share your thoughts and don't just tell me what I say is dumb.

While Kovalev may have a better shot and be a better stickhandler than Mario, he doesn't have the same vision that Mario has. Kovy still has to learn when he should pass or when he should stickhandle and he's been in the league forever. In their prime I would take Mario over all of them, except for maybe Kovalchuk if he continues to grow as a player and everyone here knows how I feel about Mario.

I have to agree with you because you see skills and you know what I mean. But Chadd do you agree that an Kovalev has more raw skills that Lemieux?

I become mad when I heard those guys say that mario is a better stickhandler than Kovalev or a better skater thhan Fedorov

At this point in his career all Mario has left are his hands. His bad hip and back have robbed him of his speed and agility, things that were strengths of his when he broke into the league. Is his stickhandling as flashy as Kovalev? Not even close. Is his stickhandling as effective as Kovalev? Yes. Just because a player doesn't pull insane individual moves, doesn't mean he is ineffective or even less skilled. Mario uses his hands to create passing opportunities and scoring chances for others.

I notice you left out passing in your comparison and that's the one area where all of the guys you mentioned pale in comparison to Mario and he was far behind Wayne in passing skill in vision. It's interesting to note that all of the players you mentioned have been called selfish at times during their career.

I would say that Kovalev has different skills than Mario.

Seriously if I was a DG, I think I would take you as a consultant.

A thing I know and you guys will probably agree is that when you put 2 extremely great players like Kovalev and Lemieux on a same line, hockey is one of the greatest thing to watch. I still remember this 02-03 season when they were playing together, everygame was really something to watch.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

It's interesting to note that all of the players you mentioned have been called selfish at times during their career.

Lemieux and gretzky have both been call selfish. Lemieux when he was playing in the Q. and Gretzky when he was like 15(not sure of the age), everybody wanted to kick him out of the town.

[Chadd 916]

It's interesting to note that all of the players you mentioned have been called selfish at times during their career.

Lemieux and gretzky have both been call selfish. Lemieux when he was playing in the Q. and Gretzky when he was like 15(not sure of the age), everybody wanted to kick him out of the town.

To be honest, there are people who will complain about anything.

In his only full season in the OHA (now OHL I believe) Wayne had 70G and 112A in 64 games, not bad for a 16 year old. As a point of comparison, Crosby had 54G and 81A in 59 games.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

They are nuts if they called Gretzky selfish. A guy who needed not score 1 goal, and he would still lead in all time pts.

Theo, that's a fact, not a rumor.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

When he was a kid, his goals were crazy.  I can see then, I guess

I know he was great as a kid. I red his biography and he needs to leave his town at 15 (maybe 14, I don't remember exactly) with his dad because everyone hated him.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Sure hockey is not a 1 on 1 game but on a one on one it's pure skills game nothing else.

You really should ask your Dad how Mario made NHL defencemen look silly 1 on 1. The big reach, the dangle.

Why don't these other 7 have 66 like #'s?

Him beating Ray Bourque and the other Bruin defender was a good move.

Kovy- I can't say I care much about raw skill in those players against Lemiuex. Because as much as I hate the guy he put it all together along witha great hockey mind. He played a different game then some mentioned, but a much more productive offensive game then Jagr, Kovalev, and such. It doesn't matter how great you can skate or how well you can handle the puck if you don't use it for your teams beneifit as much as possible. And while Mario was a lazy slob, his skills were so great that they compensated for that and much much moire.

like Mack said raw skills = potential, every year I think Kovy might lead the league in scoring. Maybe, this year will be the year :o

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Balej got good skills, how is he doing at the Rangers camp.

[DarkStar50 679]

Balej got good skills, how is he doing at the Rangers camp.

Just sent down to Hartford the other day.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Balej got good skills, how is he doing at the Rangers camp.

Just sent down to Hartford the other day.

Yeah, I was happy about that

I'm not happy about that.

I like your avatar thought :) .Not a new one but...

[$-Money9 0]

Kovalev just dosent have the dedication lemeiux has. If he showed every night and gave it his all he would be really good, hes got the talent. Allthough I can't deny he was amazeing for the habs in the playoffs.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Kovalev just dosent have the dedication lemeiux has. If he showed every night and gave it his all he would be really good, hes got the talent. Allthough I can't deny he was amazeing for the habs in the playoffs.

FYI, we were just speaking about lemieux's dedication to practice. Kovalev always leave the ice after everyone in the practice so his dedications to play is there.

[hockechamp14 0]

Lemieux's size has helped him a ton... that along with kovalev never wanting to go in high traffic area's and not paying the price in places like in the corners keeps him from being a rediculous goal scorer. Glen Murray puts up goals just because of his ability to pay the price... he isn't really talented either.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Lemieux's size has helped him a ton... that along with kovalev never wanting to go in high traffic area's and not paying the price in places like in the corners keeps him from being a rediculous goal scorer. Glen Murray puts up goals just because of his ability to pay the price... he isn't really talented either.

like Lucky Luke

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Lemiuex and dedication in the same sentence?

Lemieux IMO has not a great passion for the game.

[Jason Harris 31]

Glen Murray puts up goals just because of his ability to pay the price... he isn't really talented either.

He's got a great one-timer. It's amazing how many times Thornton has set him up at the left face-off circle. Same play over and over, yet it works so often.