Messier vs Yzerman

[kosydar 0]

Fueled by an ongoing debate between myself and JR, who do you guys think is the better leader?

I'm biased in that I was a Wings fan growing up so I lean towards Stevie, and I all think we know which way JR leans.

[Chadd 916]

Without being in the locker room with both of them it's impossible for anyone to know for sure.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Mark Messier by a longshot.

I respect Yzerman, I really do. But Mark led by example...yes, Yzerman has taken the quiet route and all that, but I honestly doubt he has that fire and brimstone approach Messier has.

I cried during the Messier ceremony...he brought joy to Rangers fans...

12 shots of Ketel One for me. I'm out like the vapors, as the Notorious BIG would say..

[DarkStar50 679]

They are both top shelf captains but where Yzerman would show guys how it was done, Messier carried guys to getting it done. The last Oiler team to win the Cup with Mess was a better team than the Bruins but Mess saw to it that there was no way they would lose. I was at the Cup winning game in Boston in the 4th row. Mess brought his full force fire to that game to win it and finish it. I watched him play away from the puck and the punishment he put on Boston players was scary. As for the NYR, face it, Game 6 vs NJD was his signature statement that "guys, get on my back because I am going to carry us to victory." And he did, end of story. Also, he is credited, I believe with the Cup winning goal in Game 7 of the Finals vs Canucks. That 94 team was not exactly a powerhouse team. They had depth up front, a great blueline and Mike Richter. They won on determination. Who provided that? Messier. Yzerman was a great captain but I feel there were times when he just didn't get his team to the promised land. I don't mean to diss Stevie Y fans but he had no impact in Cup Finals vs NJD. Wings lost 4-0 in games. That was a moment Stevie Y let slip through his fingers that Messier would not have allowed to happen. Two great leaders, two different styles. I still take Mess to lead me into battle over Stevie Y.

[mack 44]

Messier, just off legends and lore but also because he, ugh, called out the game 6 win against the Devils and then the sockcucker went out and got a hattie.

[mik3 1]

I don't think Messier would have let the Sharks beat him if he had a stacked team either.

[hip check 0]

50-50 with 32 votes in...

I voted Yzerman. I relate to a quiet leader better than the boisterous one. But, I do LOVE the stare Messier has from under that old lid! Nothing else in hockey meant business as much as that look.

Yzerman, I believe, was more of a calming influence than a ''rev 'em up'' guy, just comparing their two demeanours. I really don't know, nor likely ever will.

[Fury of One 6]

I'd like to write in Scott Stevens.

[SR27 0]

I'd like to write in Scott Stevens.

WTF?

Messier!

[chilaxin12 2]

Messier made his case clear in the leadership by guantreeing that victory, then scoring 3 goals in the game, thats being a leader and leading by example.

[#96 0]

I'd like to write in Scott Stevens.

Scott Stevens, WTF? He didn't even wear RBK anything! Jeez.

[Fury of One 6]

I'd like to write in Scott Stevens.

Scott Stevens, WTF? He didn't even wear RBK anything! Jeez.

OK, you got me there--I'll change it to Mike Modano. :P

[jjtt99 0]

Canuck fans will likely vote for Yzerman as the Moose's years in Vancouver were not good.