The 40's is probably the toughest decade to choose for me, and WW2 doesn't make it any easier.
30's: Shore (hm: Morenz)
40's: Max Bentley? Turk Broda? Syl Apps?
50's: Howe
60's: Beliveau or Hull, very strong arguments made either way
70's: Orr
80's Gretzky
90's: Lemieux (hm: Gretzky, Hasek, Jagr)
2000's: Brodeur
The forties are tough. Maybe Maurice Richard? Milt Schmidt deserves mention - he might have it without the war.
The 30's would definitely be Eddie Shore.
The twenties are tough again, maybe Morenz?
Quote:
Originally Posted by arrbez
Just going from the modern era (~1930-present)
The 40's is probably the toughest decade to choose for me, and WW2 doesn't make it any easier.
30's: Shore (hm: Morenz)
40's: Max Bentley? Turk Broda? Syl Apps?
50's: Howe
60's: Beliveau or Hull, very strong arguments made either way
70's: Orr
80's Gretzky
90's: Lemieux (hm: Gretzky, Hasek, Jagr)
2000's: Brodeur
Good list, I agree for the most part. For the 2000's I think a strong case could be made for Lidstrom. He's basically owned the Norris this decade (5/6).
The forties are tough. Maybe Maurice Richard? Milt Schmidt deserves mention - he might have it without the war.
I don't get the impression that the Rocket truly his his stride untill the 50's. He had his famous year in the 40's, but as great as it was, it was a year that was highly skewed by the war. His best seasons actually came later on in his career.
I don't get the impression that the Rocket truly his his stride untill the 50's. He had his famous year in the 40's, but as great as it was, it was a year that was highly skewed by the war. His best seasons actually came later on in his career.
Yeah I agree. He had his 50 goal in 50 game season in 45 (as you said skewed by the war) then a Hart season in 1947. Other than that, unspectacular though.
Syl Apps is a good choice too. I think Ted Kennedy probably deserves mention as well.
10's: Joe Malone
20's: Howie Morenz
30's: Eddie Shore
40's: Maurice Richard
50's: Gordie Howe
60's: Bobby Hull (hm: Beliveau)
70's: Bobby Orr (hm: Esposito, Lafleur)
80's: Wayne Gretzky
90's: Mario Lemieux (hm: Hasek, Jagr)
2000's: Nicklas Lidstrom
Good list, I agree for the most part. For the 2000's I think a strong case could be made for Lidstrom. He's basically owned the Norris this decade (5/6).
Yeah, you're right. And by the end of the decade, it'll be a no doubter for Lidstrom unless maybe Crosby turns it up this year and wins the next few Art/Hart's (which isn't at all out of the question). I think Brodeur has already been eclipsed as the best goalie, while Lidstrom is still the best defender and going strong.
I don't get the impression that the Rocket truly his his stride untill the 50's. He had his famous year in the 40's, but as great as it was, it was a year that was highly skewed by the war. His best seasons actually came later on in his career.
Richard was likely the best player from around 1944 until Howe really came into his own in 1950 or 51.
What about the 2000's? That is the hardest decade. to choose... not just because it isn't over yet. Lidstrom is great but is he the best player of the decade? Brodeur perhaps? Sakic even?
I'm gonna try do this for the 40s/50s, let me know who I missed. Obviously some of these guys were actual stars in the 40s or 60s so there's some overlap but they all retired after 55 or played at least ~5 seasons in the 50s:
Bill Gadsby
Ted Lindsay
Tom Johnson
Ed Litzenberger
Bert Olmstead
Todd Sloan
Fern Flaman
Maurice Richard
Harry Lumley
Earl Dutch Reibel
Max Bentley
Marty Pavelich
Ted Kennedy
Harry Watson
Bill Quackenbush
Emile Butch Bouchard
Bill Mosienko
Milt Schmidt
Kenny Wharram
Allan Stanley
Doug Harvey
Don McKenney
Dickie Moore
Bernie Geoffrion
Red Kelly
Terry Sawchuk
Marcel Pronovost
Leo Boivin
George Armstrong
Jean Beliveau
Andy Bathgate
Eric Nesterenko
Johnny Bower
Harry Howell
Tim Horton
Alex Delvecchio
Dean Prentice
Gump Worsley
Jacques Plante
Norm Ullman
Doug Mohns
40s excluding the ones mentioned above:
Edgar Laprade
Elmer Lach
Doug Bentley
Sid Abel
Woody Dumart
Gaye Stewart
Chuck Rayner
Jack Stewart
Roy Conacher
Turk Broda
Bobby Bauer
Bill Durnan
Bud Poile
Ken Reardon
Neil Colville
Frank Brimsek
Syl Apps Sr.
Bryan Hextall
Toe Blake
Clint Smith
Babe Pratt
Bill Cowley
Dit Clapper
Sweeny Schriner
Lynn Patrick
Flash Hollet
Lorne Carr
Syd Howe
Earl Seibert
The 40's is probably the toughest decade to choose for me, and WW2 doesn't make it any easier.
30's: Shore (hm: Morenz)
40's: Max Bentley? Turk Broda? Syl Apps?
50's: Howe
60's: Beliveau or Hull, very strong arguments made either way
70's: Orr
80's Gretzky
90's: Lemieux (hm: Gretzky, Hasek, Jagr)
2000's: Brodeur
Does Lidstrom have any case over Brodeur in the 2000?
