Imagine yourself as coach of a team tied late in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. There’s one minute left. At your disposal for the game’s final shift you have any five skaters from the NHL’s past or present. In their prime. Of course you’ll need a premiere backstopper as well. Use any criteria of your choosing, but the bottom line is: you’re trying to punch one home with one final push and earn Lord Stanley’s glory.
The four of us at OFB have each of our All-Time Fives (plus goalie) and accompanying rationale below. We invite all OFB readers– regulars and first-timers alike — to submit their selections as comments to this post over the course of the next 20 days. We’ll accept entries through midnight of Christmas Eve. Then, with a Christmas morning cup of joe, we’ll announce an OFB All Time Five, plus their goalie, based on reader comment/selections merged with our own.
Empty Maybe
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| Bobby Hull | Wayne Gretzky | Gordie Howe | |
| Doug Harvey | Bobby Orr | ||
| Patrick Roy | |||
OrderedChaos
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| Alex Ovechkin | Steve Yzerman | Guy LaFleur | |
| Scott Stevens | Al MacInnis | ||
| Martin Brodeur | |||
Gustafsson
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| Alex Ovechkin | Wayne Gretzky | Cam Neely | |
| Scott Stevens | Paul Coffey | ||
| Patrick Roy | |||
pucksandbooks
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| Alex Ovechkin | Mark Messier | Gordie Howe | |
| Scott Stevens | Bobby Orr | ||
| Ken Dryden | |||
Comments:
Empty Maybe
When they name a hat trick after you, you know you’re good. Orr of course revolutionized the defenseman’s position and has to be on the short list of greatest players ever. Doug Harvey’s sad ending in no way diminishes his accomplishments, including seven Norris Trophies. Patty Roy: Zany, whacky, and the guy I want between the pipes when it’s all on the line.
OrderedChaos
I’m restricting my list to players I actually saw play, thus eliminating obviously brilliant players like Bobby Orr (whom I’ve only seen in a few highlight reels), Rocket Richard, Gordie Howe, etc. The toughest pick for me was the incredible wealth of stellar RW — how do you choose between Cam Neeley, Mike Bossy, Rod Gilbert, and The Flower? Well I went with LaFleur; his speed and grace on the ice is one of my earliest hockey memories. Ovi is the best LW I’ve ever seen, bar none; I’d take his play the past 1.5 years over anyone, though Bobby Hull is a close second.Scott Stevens is an absolute rock. Al MacInnis is, I believe, a perfect complement to Stevens, and had the most-feared shot in the game (though I came within a hair of selecting the great Ray Bourque instead). Plus I’m happy to have a Nova Scotia guy in here. Martin Brodeur is the best combination of reliable performance and the ability to steal any game; guys like Roy and Hasek are fantastic, but give me Marty’s steady brilliance back there any day.With all this talent, who better than Stevie Y to lead them? A consummate on-ice warrior and undeniably talented player, Yzerman may not have Gretzky’s moves or Lemieux’s flash, but he’s the one I’d choose when it’s all on the line.
Gustafsson
Like OC, I’ve limited my selections to those I have seen play. Yes, I know this cuts out some major forces in hockey history, but it still leaves me with some hard choices. Ovechkin may be a homer pick, and it may definitely be a gamble of a pick as he’s only been in the league barely over a year. That being said, he looks to be the real deal. Gretzky — Seriously, do I need to explain this pick? On the right, Cam Neely, this was a tough pick. But if you look at the line as a whole with Gretzky in his “office” behind the net and Ovechkin’s offensive and physical prowess, I think you go with a power forward. He was a forechecker, a body checker, a fighter, a scorer and a hall of famer. On D, Scott Stevens played for the Caps for 9 seasons, but this is no homer pick. His leadership, his defensive play, his relentless hitting, and his 3 Stanley Cups in under 10 years, make him a solid choice. Paul Coffey was another tough choice. Coffey won 4 Stanley Cups, 3 Norris Trophies and ranks second in scoring all-time among defencemen. After a stay-at-home defenceman in Stevens, I think you go with offense, and I went with Coffey. In goal, Patrick Roy — winner of the Vezina Trophy in ‘89, ‘90, and ‘92; Stanley Cup winner in ‘86 and ‘93 with Montreal and ‘96 and ‘01 with Colorado; Conn Smythe winner in ‘86, ‘93, and ‘01. Most games played, most wins, most playoff games played, most playoff wins, and most Conn Smyte Trophy Wins. Shall I go on?
pucksandbooks
I sought a blend of blinding speed and guile and guts. I wanted BraveHearts, skaters with proven pedigrees of performing in prime time. I needed a cornerman who wouldn’t lose a battle (Howe), a pivot commonly thought of as the captains’ captain (Messier), and game-breaking flair and sick wrists on the other wing (AO). My blueliners were easy calls. The greatest hockey player of all time, # 4, paired with ever the most perfectly positioned rearguard and brutally physical stay-at-home hulk (Scotty). In net, I wanted size and technical perfection, but because he never played in the NHL I couldn’t select Vladimir Tretiak. My guys in front of the crease wouldn’t have much puck chasing time, so I needed a guy who thrived with limited work. Easy call — Dryden.
35 Comments
I think most of you have picked decent all-time lineups, but I can’t see picking Stevens if it’s the last minute of Game 7 and you need a goal. How about someone like Larry Murphy or Scott Niedermeyer, someone with a real offensive flair. Besides, even if they can’t play defense, that’s what your goalie is for!
Good comment TG, which I’ll address two ways. First, the three of us who picked Stevens have a scorer as his defensive partner (e.g., I have Al MacInnis). Second, just as important as scoring is not allowing a goal. So I figure Stevens and, on my team, Brodeur can protect my zone while the rest can fire away at my undoubtedly terrified opponent.
Alex Ovechkin Wayne Gretzky Gordie Howe Bobby Orr Scott Neidermeyer Patrick Roy
How anybody can nominate Ovechkin at this point is beyond me… for all we know, he’ll wet his pants in a Game 7. He hasn’t proven himself in the playoffs yet.
I’ll take Bobby Hull, Wayne Gretzky, and Gordie Howe up front, Bobby Orr and Nick Lidstrom on the blue line, and Dominick Hasek in net.
I agree with TG and would want either Larry Murphy (4 cups with two teams) or Paul Coffey in his Oiler days guarding the blue line and putting some shots on net instead of Scott Stevens. It is totally a homer pick but I would go with Lemieux in his prime at center. I haven’t watched any other player so much as he was one of the reasons I fell in love with hockey. I’ve seen him perform so many miracles on ice that there isn’t anyone I’d rather have on the ice at the end of a Game 7 or any other time for that matter. (Did I mention he was a homer pick?) Roy in goal and you just can’t lose.
Great topic and a great site. Thanks for passing the link on to me. Cheers.
Forechecker - your observation about Ovechkin’s inexperience is something the three of us who selected him certainly deliberated over, and it’s an eminently reasonable criticism. I will speak only for myself in defense: for me, when at 16 he led the World Juniors in scoring, in Canada, that for me announced his arrival to hockey’s big-time . . . it was with that tournament in mind — regarded by many in the industry today as hockey’s best and most pretigious — that I WET MY PANTS that delicious April afternoon in 2004 when we learned that the ping pong ball had landed our way at the NHL’s New York office. And he’s done nothing since to diminish my enthusiasm. Hindsight of course aids greatly in endeavors like these. And with that in mind, were I to have chosen Wayne Gretzky as my center, you know when I’d have been prepared to make that call? After his 517 points in 85 games . . . as a 10-year-old in Ontario.
Forecheck, Bobby Hull is clearly a great pick, but he was borderline for me due to my self-imposed restriction of selecting only players I’ve seen play. Same reason I eliminated the clear #1 D-man, Bobby Orr — the only time I saw either of those Bobbys play was in the occasional highlight clip, never a full game. I know, my loss!
Ok “Empty Maybe” IMO is the only one who came close to making the cut here. Forgive me, this is all off the top of my head so I may forget someone. These are the only names that should even be considered for each position.
In order:
Goal:
Roy
Sawchuck
Plante
Defense:
Orr
Bourque
Coffey
Harvey
Center:
Gretzky
Lemieux
Left Wing:
Hull
Shutt
Robitaille
Right Wing
Lafleur
Howe
Like I said, off the top of my head.
Good job guys.
If I’m sticking with players I’ve seen, and I’m looking for a goal, how about Brett Hull, Oates, Shanahan, Niedermeyer and MacInnis. Of course, Messier could simply will the team to a goal. Jagr (I’m assuming it’s the interested one here) always seemed to find a way to do well in the playoffs. And if we’re talking solely playoffs here, what about Claude Lemieux?
Scott Stevens tallied 72 with the 87/88 Capitals, with another 11 points in 12 games during the playoffs. He also scored 78 points in 93/94, with another 11 in 20 playoff games. I’d guess those numbers translate to about 50-55 points nowadays. A scoring slouch he was not. It all depends on when one considers Scott Stevens prime.
My five: Mike Bossy, Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe, Scott Stevens, Bobby Orr, Patrick Roy
Now in no way am I dissing the players you all have selected. All outstanding players. However, i have chosen a route more how you say…. Canadian! (it’s been proved to work)
i’ll go with team canada scoring line:
d. hawerchuk m. lemieux w.gretzky
paul coffey bobby orr
patty roy
O Canada!
BRETT Hull (Greatest Right Winger of ALL time. The Golden Brett)
Wayne Gretzky (the GREAT ONE)
Gordie Howe (MR HOCKEY)
Nicklas Lidstrom ( arguably the greatest all around D of all time)
Bobby Orr ( greatest offensive defensman of all time)
Patrick Roy (Dont even need to comment)
I agree that there is no way I can nominate Ovechkin after one season on a last place team. I am a die hard lifetime Caps fan but still cannot put him up there yet with the names posted above.
Spark and Mellyville, good comments. But you both chose two RW and no LW. Howe, Bossy, and Brett Hull were all right wings. Now if you chose BOBBY Hull as LW, that would work. Other than Bobby Hull, whom I eliminated for my own lineup due to my only-players-I’ve-seen restriction, the pickings at LW are surprisingly thin IMO.
Martin, I love the All-Canada concept. But all three of your forwards are Centres, so that doesn’t work! You’ve got to pick your favorite C (not easy among those three, that’s for sure), then get a RW and LW to round out your line.
OK so now that Ive thought about it, I have my starting line up.
Left wing: Bobby Hull
Center: Gretzky
Right Wing: Howe
Defense: Orr and Bourque
Goal: Roy
there is no touching this line up.
Bobby Hull, Gretzky, Richard
Harvey, Orr
Sawchuk
The other team has:
Brett Hull, Mario, Howe (Brett can play the left side - that’s where he scored most of his goals anyway)
Shore, Bourque
Plante
Wayne loses the faceoff. Orr pinches unsuccessfully and the opposition springs a 3-on-1. Mario gains the blueline, drops it for Howe. The Rocket, backchecking furiously, catches Howe cutting into the middle and destroys him with an open ice hit. Brett collects the loose puck but he can’t pass and Harvey stops the remaining 2-on-1, textbook. Harvey finds Wayne curling in the neutral zone. Gretzky and Hull, 2-on-1 against Shore. Wayne looks to shoot then glides a feed to Hull for the one-timer. The blast blows through the mesh of Plante’s trapper, through the mesh in the top left corner of the net, through the glass and is lodged in the goal judge’s forehead.
Howe over the Rocket?? Maybe over a career, but no way in a one-shift-takes-all scenario. Honestly, you people. Look at their playoff numbers!
Messier. Messier, Messier, Messier! (Or, as he’s known in our household, “Mr. Clean”) How many Cups did Gretzky win without Messier? How many Cups did Messier win without Gretzky? C’mon, in a Game 7, who would you truly want out there, Gretzky or Messier? Were the Rangers REALLY better than New Jersey in 1994? Or did Messier just refuse to lose? (The high point for the Rangers until 2048…)
Cam Neely Wayne Gretzky Maurice Richard
Denis Potvin Bobby Orr
Ed Giacomin
Dear Ordered Chaos,
All i have to say is did you see the 1987 Canada Cup?
“OrderedChaos wrote:
Martin, I love the All-Canada concept. But all three of your forwards are Centres, so that doesn’t work! You’ve got to pick your favorite C (not easy among those three, that’s for sure), then get a RW and LW to round out your line. “
Martin, my apologies, I stand corrected! I found this tidbit on Wikipedia:
“With time running out in regulation in Game 3, and after coming back from a 3-0 deficit, Team Canada coach Mike Keenan sent the Gretzky/Lemieux/Hawerchuk line out to play, with a faceoff in Canada’s end. The rest is history as Gretzky, Lemieux and Larry Murphy would rush down the ice on a three on one after Hawerchuk tripped up Bykov, with Gretzky skating on left wing, setting up Lemieux’s point blank game-winner in the slot with 1:26 left in the game. The Gretzky to Lemieux play is one of the most memorable plays in Canadian hockey history.”
So even though your three forwards all played centre in the NHL, they did indeed play as one amazing line with exactly the result for which one would hope. Damned good call!
Well, since my name isn’t Mike Keenan I suppose I’ll have to drop Bossy in favour of one or the other Hull’s. I’ll go with the consensus and say Bobby.
Good choice Spark — Bobby Hull would have been my LW too if I hadn’t restricted my picks to guys I’ve seen play (i.e., more than just the occasional grainy highlight clip).
Thank you!:)
all time greatest starting line up for me is:
Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard - Mario Lemieux - Guy Lafleur
Bobby Orr - Raymond Bourque
Patrick Roy
The team I didn’t see part of:
LW Bobby Hull
C J.H. Richard
RW Mike Bossy
D Ray Bourque
D Larry Murphy
G I’m torn between G. Vezina (just think how well he would have played if he wasn’t required by league rules to stay standing) and the founder of the butterfly Tony Esposito.
I’ll come up with a team I did see in its entirety.
C-Messier
LW-Luc Robittaille
RW-Guy Lafluer
D-Bobby Orr
D-Al Iafrate (106 MPH W/ wood)
G-Pat Roy
To me, being tied makes this a very different question than if we were trailing by a goal.
In a tie game…
Claude Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Darren McCarty
Nicklas Lidstrom, Scott Stevens
Patrick Roy
Find me a more defensively responsible, harder to play against, set of five. By the way, they have all been Conn Smythe winners with the exception of McCarty (3 cups, one cup clinching goal)
(yea claude and darren, i know. but on the same team they would get along, and claude will agree to play left wing)
Of course down a goal would be something like:
Bobby, Wayne, Gordie
Bobby, Al
Patrick
For the record, that last post was made somewhat tongue-in-cheeck. But seriously, those are some of the best playoff performers in the history of hockey. Looking back I might replace Yzerman with Messier given the overall theme of my forwards, but I was a huge RedWings fan back before the Sharks were a legit hockey team.
G - Dominik Hasek
D - Bobby Orr
D - Ray Bourque
L - Jari Kurri
C - Mark Messier
R - Mike Bossy
C - Sakic (Sakic is prime time, 7 OT winners in his career!)
LW - Ovechkin (He can pull the trigger like few others)
RW - Bossy (You know he wont leave anything on the ice)
D - Lidstrom (whether you’re up a goal or down a goal, he’s my man)
D - Coffey (Can pinch if Lidstrom patrols the line)
G - Hasek (He’s more impossible saves than any other goalie I’ve seen)
*made more impossible saves…
This was a tough task, I racked my brain to come up with my 5. The 5 I would want to go into battle with to get my name on the silver chalice of lore.
Left Wing
Jari Kurri
Center
The Great One
Right Wing
Marcel Dionne
Defense
Ray Bourque
Paul Coffey
Netminder
Lorne “Gump” Worsley
Allright.
My two caveats are that (1) I’m picking those I’ve seen play (except for one, who I have read a lot about), and (2) I’m going to focus on those I think would have the drive, passion, reflexes and game vision, to finish it in a final minute.
LW Alex Ovechkin.
While at the beginning of his career (and destined to involve hoisting a Cup for the Caps) he is the one in a thousand player who skates with reckless abandon every shift and has the winning instinct. I know he’s young, and his selection has obviously resulted in criticism as a result of not having even made the playoffs, but for those who have seen him several times in person, he is for real. I mean tripping over bad ice skating so fast for real. And compensating nevertheless with jaw-dropping pivoting and stick work.
RW Maurice Richard.
Perhaps obviously, the one I’ve never seen. But the stories I have read, in both languages, lead me to believe that he’d be the guy you want to punch it home in that final minute.
C Doug Gilmour.
Perhaps a sentimental selection, he remains my favorite non-Cap I’ve ever seen. He’ll, naturally, win the draw, skate toward the net, establish the ideal position quickly for a deflection, poke-in, rebound for the shot drawn back to . . .
Oh, you didn’t say which side for the faceoff, or offense / defense.
Ok, nevertheless, on D we have
Brian Leetch
Rod Langway
Rod is going to ensure that any puck that crosses the defensive blue line is going to make its way into friendly hands, or that the opponent with it will relinquish it and be pinned solidly against the boards.
Brian will deftly take it up ice and zing a crisp pass to any of the forwards, or perhaps take it himself, down a wing, behind the net, whatever, until a clear scoring opportunity awaits.
If, perchance, this stellar 5 allows a shot on goal, I defer to
G Martin Brodeur.
Can we say that the understudy has surpassed the teacher, St. Patrick?
With that 6 player tandem, I have no doubt of victory on a last minute effort.
I haven’t been able to know the greatest hockey players, if only by name. That hesitation for rooting and burning out brightly that goes along with most hockey players in the dumps is very very centralizing to the sport. I like to think dummerville “.”
I like to say that hockey, for the most part, is a demanding enough season. Shouldn’t the sport be called one of the most team oriented of sports. Whoa! I think you have a great deal of hockey dad’s out there as much as you have your soccer mom’s, truth be told. It’s just in the blood I guess.
3 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] Here’s a reminder that we are still accepting entries for the OFB All Time Five through midnight of Christmas Eve. Then, with a Christmas morning cup of joe, we’ll announce an OFB All Time Five, plus their goalie, based on reader comment/selections merged with our own. We have had some great input and discussion thus far, so make sure you’re not left out. [...]
[...] Jes at Hockey Rants started a hockey meme this week with the theme “If I Were a Hockey Player”. This is somewhat similar to our OFB All-Time Five back in December where we solicited reader input and tallied the votes. Many hockey bloggers have joined in including: [...]
[...] On Frozen Blog also submitted their All-Time Five best players to line up at the start of an NHL Hockey game. There are some great argumenets for each of the line-ups they submitted. [...]
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