The NHL 99
May 25, 2023 1:46 PM Subscribe
The Athletic ranks the 100 best players in the modern NHL [archive.org]The list is called the NHL 99, though, because -- as they write, "So, spoiler alert, Wayne Gretzky is No. 1 on our list. One could argue Gretzky actually belongs in the Hall of Fame in two categories – as a player and as a builder. Arguably, no single individual did more to grow the NHL game, on and off the ice, than Gretzky."
I've barely scratched the surface on this, but what struck me right away was the excellent selection of photographs The Athletic chose for each player's link. Hockey isn't known for player's good looks by and large, but these photos tell stories on their own.
I've barely scratched the surface on this, but what struck me right away was the excellent selection of photographs The Athletic chose for each player's link. Hockey isn't known for player's good looks by and large, but these photos tell stories on their own.
the wayback link is acting wonky, here's another ungated version
posted by chavenet at 2:18 PM on May 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by chavenet at 2:18 PM on May 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
I followed this series, and read some of them as they came out. A few that might be of more general interest:
25 - Ken Dryden: A really interesting guy who at one point took a leave from hockey to work as a lawyer with Ralph Nader.
49 - Scott Stevens: a unique entry in the series, because it just roasts the guy - both for the violence of his on-ice hits and for accusations of sexual assault
54 - Börje Salming: Led the influx of Swedish players in the league, passed away last fall from ALS.
posted by Superilla at 2:29 PM on May 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
25 - Ken Dryden: A really interesting guy who at one point took a leave from hockey to work as a lawyer with Ralph Nader.
49 - Scott Stevens: a unique entry in the series, because it just roasts the guy - both for the violence of his on-ice hits and for accusations of sexual assault
54 - Börje Salming: Led the influx of Swedish players in the league, passed away last fall from ALS.
posted by Superilla at 2:29 PM on May 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
Speaking Ken Dryden, he explained Gretzky's greatness well, as quoted on Gretzky's Wikipedia page. To paraphrase badly: He was the first star player to realize that an assist was more powerful than a goal.
posted by clawsoon at 2:44 PM on May 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 2:44 PM on May 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
It feels like half the people on this list were on the 2001 Red Wings roster.
posted by dsword at 2:47 PM on May 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by dsword at 2:47 PM on May 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
This is a solid list. When you see the top 5, it blows your mind that for 35 of the last 39 years - from 1984 to now, save only 2001-2004 - the Pittsburgh Penguins had a top-5 all time hockey player on their roster with either Mario, Sid, or Jagr. That rules.
posted by AgentRocket at 2:52 PM on May 25, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by AgentRocket at 2:52 PM on May 25, 2023 [7 favorites]
for 35 of the last 39 years - from 1984 to now, save only 2001-2004
Shame on me for forgetting Mario's return from retirement; he wasn't his former self but he still played for the Penguins from 2001-2005. So that's 39 straight years with an all-time great to cheer for in Pittsburgh. Amazing.
posted by AgentRocket at 2:59 PM on May 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Shame on me for forgetting Mario's return from retirement; he wasn't his former self but he still played for the Penguins from 2001-2005. So that's 39 straight years with an all-time great to cheer for in Pittsburgh. Amazing.
posted by AgentRocket at 2:59 PM on May 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
I have always felt that Hockey's penchant for equating goals and assists is bothersome. I agree assists are important; but putting the biscuit in the basket is still the object of the game. Maybe 2 points for a goal and 1 point for assist in tallying up the points would be a better idea.
Gretzky's record would still be awe inspiring even in this count. Either way, the fact that Ovechkin is creeping closer to the goal tally of Gretzky is awesome. I didn't think it would be vulnerable this soon. I don't think anyone is getting close to his assists number.
posted by indianbadger1 at 3:20 PM on May 25, 2023
Gretzky's record would still be awe inspiring even in this count. Either way, the fact that Ovechkin is creeping closer to the goal tally of Gretzky is awesome. I didn't think it would be vulnerable this soon. I don't think anyone is getting close to his assists number.
posted by indianbadger1 at 3:20 PM on May 25, 2023
I have always felt that Hockey's penchant for equating goals and assists is bothersome.
It's very Canadian. Sorry.
posted by clawsoon at 4:24 PM on May 25, 2023 [10 favorites]
It's very Canadian. Sorry.
posted by clawsoon at 4:24 PM on May 25, 2023 [10 favorites]
The thing that elevated Gretzky as a player was his -- correct! -- recognition that putting the puck in the net is a team effort, and getting really, really good at making sure it happens, even if it isn't his stick it came off of last.
Assists are as important as goals; you don't have the goal without the pass that sets it up.
posted by ChrisR at 5:05 PM on May 25, 2023 [14 favorites]
Assists are as important as goals; you don't have the goal without the pass that sets it up.
posted by ChrisR at 5:05 PM on May 25, 2023 [14 favorites]
Assists are as important as goals; you don't have the goal without the pass that sets it up.
And of course it's taken further than that, where two assists can be recorded for a single goal. So it's almost (with the exception of goals with zero or one assists) the opposite of indianbadger1's suggestion.
posted by clawsoon at 5:23 PM on May 25, 2023
And of course it's taken further than that, where two assists can be recorded for a single goal. So it's almost (with the exception of goals with zero or one assists) the opposite of indianbadger1's suggestion.
posted by clawsoon at 5:23 PM on May 25, 2023
Feel like Yzerman should be higher. But it’s nice seeing Lidstrom up there. Just reliability, and class, defined.
posted by caution live frogs at 5:44 PM on May 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by caution live frogs at 5:44 PM on May 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
It feels like half the people on this list were on the 2001 Red Wings roster.
I had a similar reaction, except it was “a lot of those guys played for the Pens at some point”.
And I am THRILLED to see Kris Letang on that list.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 6:23 PM on May 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
I had a similar reaction, except it was “a lot of those guys played for the Pens at some point”.
And I am THRILLED to see Kris Letang on that list.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 6:23 PM on May 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
I have always felt that Hockey's penchant for equating goals and assists is bothersome. I agree assists are important; but putting the biscuit in the basket is still the object of the game.
Have to disagree; sometimes the work done to make the goal possible is the magic, compared to the player who is left to just tap or deflect the puck into a yawning net. Or, to use a personal example from when I played in a recreational league, I once got credited with a goal because the shot from the point deflected off my ass (everyone has a big butt in hockey pants) into the net. There was no intent on my part, nor on the shooter; I was trying to provide a screen but obviously was not even facing the play; I just backed my way into the credit. Should that be worth more than what the guy who took the shot gets? Sometimes you score garbage goals, where you pot the rebound after someone else did all the work (I think my example is somewhere below a garbage goal).
Even when the goal is a thing of beauty, it's about crediting the fact that goals (usually) don't happen without support, effort and situational awareness from team mates. Here's a video of some great assists over the years.
posted by nubs at 6:50 PM on May 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
Have to disagree; sometimes the work done to make the goal possible is the magic, compared to the player who is left to just tap or deflect the puck into a yawning net. Or, to use a personal example from when I played in a recreational league, I once got credited with a goal because the shot from the point deflected off my ass (everyone has a big butt in hockey pants) into the net. There was no intent on my part, nor on the shooter; I was trying to provide a screen but obviously was not even facing the play; I just backed my way into the credit. Should that be worth more than what the guy who took the shot gets? Sometimes you score garbage goals, where you pot the rebound after someone else did all the work (I think my example is somewhere below a garbage goal).
Even when the goal is a thing of beauty, it's about crediting the fact that goals (usually) don't happen without support, effort and situational awareness from team mates. Here's a video of some great assists over the years.
posted by nubs at 6:50 PM on May 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
Frank Mahovlich is conspicuous by his absence from this list ...
won Stanley Cup six times
posted by philip-random at 7:09 PM on May 25, 2023
won Stanley Cup six times
posted by philip-random at 7:09 PM on May 25, 2023
Gretzky is so far above everyone else that one of the records he holds is Most Points By A Pair Of Brothers. His brother Brent had one goal and three assists in the NHL. The only set of siblings with more points than Wayne and Brent are the Sutter brothers, and there were six of them, and if you picked any five of them, the Gretzkys would still have more points. Given that Wayne and Brent have two more brothers and a sister, you could say that the Gretzkys also have a claim on the records for most points by three siblings, four siblings, and five siblings, even though Kim, Keith, and Glen never played in the NHL.
posted by Etrigan at 7:13 PM on May 25, 2023 [16 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 7:13 PM on May 25, 2023 [16 favorites]
Frank Mahovlich is conspicuous by his absence from this list ...won Stanley Cup six times
Only twice after 1967, which is the period considered by this list. There are a few players who span the boundaries of the period and it's hard to slot them but I don't think that the declining second half of his career is that strong an argument.
posted by Superilla at 7:54 PM on May 25, 2023
Only twice after 1967, which is the period considered by this list. There are a few players who span the boundaries of the period and it's hard to slot them but I don't think that the declining second half of his career is that strong an argument.
posted by Superilla at 7:54 PM on May 25, 2023
Oh, hey, Malkin is no longer Mr 101! Number 26 is probably correct given the parameters of this .
posted by beaning at 8:00 PM on May 25, 2023
posted by beaning at 8:00 PM on May 25, 2023
Etrigan, I don't know anything about ice hockey, I kinda bounced off the linked article as a result, but comments like that are why I tend to read the thread anyway. I knew Gretzky was a big deal, but goddamn.
posted by Dysk at 8:51 PM on May 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Dysk at 8:51 PM on May 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
Is it sacrilege to have a best-players-of-all-time list without Mr. Hockey? Maybe,
I would say "Definitely."
posted by Metro Gnome at 9:03 PM on May 25, 2023
I would say "Definitely."
posted by Metro Gnome at 9:03 PM on May 25, 2023
About 20 years ago I was out to dinner in NYC with 5 guys who played D1 hockey. Good players for BC, Minnesota, etc. Anyway after several adult beverages (or more) the conversation turned to who influenced hockey the most.
Naturally, one guy argued for the Great One, one guy argued for Gordie Howe (longitivity), another for Bobby Hull, one for Stan Mikita and the first curved stick. Even though I am a Rangers fan through and through, I argued for Bobby Orr for changing the game as the first defenseman to rush the puck as well as his free agency move. More beers were had and the discussion ended late in the evening.
Two days later I receive a FedEx package at my office. I open it and there is a framed picture of Bobby Orr going vertical scoring the winning goal against the Blues . Famous picture. It was signed, "To Johnny, thanks for remembering me and supporting me. (Signed) Bobby Orr". The guy who played for BC knew Bobby and told him about the beer infused passionate argument.
So, while I concede Gretzky is number 1, I will still argue for Bobby Orr. Always.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:23 PM on May 25, 2023 [30 favorites]
Naturally, one guy argued for the Great One, one guy argued for Gordie Howe (longitivity), another for Bobby Hull, one for Stan Mikita and the first curved stick. Even though I am a Rangers fan through and through, I argued for Bobby Orr for changing the game as the first defenseman to rush the puck as well as his free agency move. More beers were had and the discussion ended late in the evening.
Two days later I receive a FedEx package at my office. I open it and there is a framed picture of Bobby Orr going vertical scoring the winning goal against the Blues . Famous picture. It was signed, "To Johnny, thanks for remembering me and supporting me. (Signed) Bobby Orr". The guy who played for BC knew Bobby and told him about the beer infused passionate argument.
So, while I concede Gretzky is number 1, I will still argue for Bobby Orr. Always.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:23 PM on May 25, 2023 [30 favorites]
In an interview a very long time ago Ken Dryden was asked what he considered to be the best era of hockey. He said the era when you're 12 years old.
When I was 12, it was 1977, and the Canadians had perhaps the single greatest season in NHL history. Still the only 1 of 4 teams to hit the 60 win mark and also win the Cup.
Dryden, LaFleur, and Robinson.
I haven't liked sports in the same way in decades, but as long as I live that 12 year old boy will always treasure those wonderful '70s Montreal teams and the superstars that did so much to make them wonderful.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 12:14 AM on May 26, 2023 [9 favorites]
When I was 12, it was 1977, and the Canadians had perhaps the single greatest season in NHL history. Still the only 1 of 4 teams to hit the 60 win mark and also win the Cup.
Dryden, LaFleur, and Robinson.
I haven't liked sports in the same way in decades, but as long as I live that 12 year old boy will always treasure those wonderful '70s Montreal teams and the superstars that did so much to make them wonderful.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 12:14 AM on May 26, 2023 [9 favorites]
Jesus Saves.
...but Gretzky gets the rebound, he shoots, he scooores !!
(Somebody had to say it.)
posted by johnabbe at 2:09 AM on May 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
...but Gretzky gets the rebound, he shoots, he scooores !!
(Somebody had to say it.)
posted by johnabbe at 2:09 AM on May 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
McDavid at #16 on the list? Seems like it might be a little early for that, no?
posted by clawsoon at 3:32 AM on May 26, 2023
posted by clawsoon at 3:32 AM on May 26, 2023
McDavid at #16 on the list? Seems like it might be a little early for that, no?
I'm a Flames fan, so take that into consideration when I say that no, it is not too early for that. Guy is an amazing player, capable of single handedly changing the outcome of games at times.
posted by nubs at 4:10 AM on May 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
I'm a Flames fan, so take that into consideration when I say that no, it is not too early for that. Guy is an amazing player, capable of single handedly changing the outcome of games at times.
posted by nubs at 4:10 AM on May 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
Ovechkin sitting two spots behind Crosby is pretty bogus. I'm open to idea of Crosby being ranked higher (though far from convinced) but they need to be sitting right next to each other no matter which one is given the edge. The fact they put Jagr in between them — another player who had his best years in Pittsburgh — is suspect.
posted by Press Butt.on to Check at 6:53 AM on May 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Press Butt.on to Check at 6:53 AM on May 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Bob Probert not in the top 100? I gotta question that. He could turn a game, did it many times, he was a terror, nobody wanted to face him, nobody wanted to fight him, just knowing he was in the building lifted your team, or sank it if you were wearing the wrong uniform that night. He married the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and he was late to the wedding and drunk besides, he was a warrior, the perfect hockey player of his day.
posted by dancestoblue at 7:14 AM on May 26, 2023
posted by dancestoblue at 7:14 AM on May 26, 2023
I was a Kings fan in Los Angeles, a season ticket holder from about 1989-92. Gretzky was traded to the Kings in the summer of 1988, and overnight, the Kings went from playing to average crowds of about 12,000 in the Forum to selling out every damn game. We had seen him many times, of course. You couldn't take your eyes off of him when he was on the ice. It was unreal.
The opening game that season was just an unreal experience. The crowd was....nuts. We hadn't seen too many sellouts, and people were roaring all through warmups every time No 99 did...anything. Everyone was already standing when the announcement "Please stand for the singing of the National Anthem, to be sung by......ROY ORBISON." And the crowd made some sort of strangled excited gasp, as if someone had been beamed in through the roof or something. I've never heard anything like it again at a sporting event. Gretzky did put LA hockey on the map. Roy Orbison proved to everyone who might not have been hockey fans at the game that night that Gretzky was a big big big deal. Things were never the same for the fans after that night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejh0tXwAOdM
posted by pthomas745 at 9:41 AM on May 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
The opening game that season was just an unreal experience. The crowd was....nuts. We hadn't seen too many sellouts, and people were roaring all through warmups every time No 99 did...anything. Everyone was already standing when the announcement "Please stand for the singing of the National Anthem, to be sung by......ROY ORBISON." And the crowd made some sort of strangled excited gasp, as if someone had been beamed in through the roof or something. I've never heard anything like it again at a sporting event. Gretzky did put LA hockey on the map. Roy Orbison proved to everyone who might not have been hockey fans at the game that night that Gretzky was a big big big deal. Things were never the same for the fans after that night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejh0tXwAOdM
posted by pthomas745 at 9:41 AM on May 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
he was late to the wedding and drunk besides, he was a warrior, the perfect hockey player of his day.
I'll be that guy but this sentence kinda reads like a lot of the stuff I do not like about hockey, at all
Probert had some demons, he had a few run-ins with the law, he died of a heart attack before reaching the age of 50.. to each their own but imo he is not the perfect hockey player of any day, and it's a damn shame people die that young
posted by elkevelvet at 11:28 AM on May 26, 2023 [3 favorites]
I'll be that guy but this sentence kinda reads like a lot of the stuff I do not like about hockey, at all
Probert had some demons, he had a few run-ins with the law, he died of a heart attack before reaching the age of 50.. to each their own but imo he is not the perfect hockey player of any day, and it's a damn shame people die that young
posted by elkevelvet at 11:28 AM on May 26, 2023 [3 favorites]
Börje Salming: Led the influx of Swedish players in the league, passed away last fall from ALS.
My mom went to the same eye doctor as Borje Salming and had a visit right after Salming had a his face sliced with a skate and he came in to the waiting room while she was there. She said he was unbelievably ugly (he kind of had a cadaverous look even before the injury). I still loved him as a player though. He was just so smooth on the ice.
Gretzky did put LA hockey on the map.
He also kept the Leafs from a Stanley Cup. Which makes him a bit of a painful hockey GOAT for about a third of the population of Canada.
posted by srboisvert at 2:56 PM on May 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
My mom went to the same eye doctor as Borje Salming and had a visit right after Salming had a his face sliced with a skate and he came in to the waiting room while she was there. She said he was unbelievably ugly (he kind of had a cadaverous look even before the injury). I still loved him as a player though. He was just so smooth on the ice.
Gretzky did put LA hockey on the map.
He also kept the Leafs from a Stanley Cup. Which makes him a bit of a painful hockey GOAT for about a third of the population of Canada.
posted by srboisvert at 2:56 PM on May 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
When I was 12, it was 1977, and the Canadians had perhaps the single greatest season in NHL history. Still the only 1 of 4 teams to hit the 60 win mark and also win the Cup.
Dryden, LaFleur, and Robinson.
I loved that team because they skated right out from under their hair (mostly LaFleur but also Cournoyer)
posted by srboisvert at 3:33 PM on May 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Dryden, LaFleur, and Robinson.
I loved that team because they skated right out from under their hair (mostly LaFleur but also Cournoyer)
posted by srboisvert at 3:33 PM on May 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Time out! Let's talk about athletic achievements
You and I have so many world records between us
One hundred eighty-four! That's plenty of 'em
And I set one hundred eighty-three of 'em!
—"Wayne Gretzky," Epic Rap Battles of History: Tony Hawk vs. Wayne Gretzky
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:31 PM on May 26, 2023
You and I have so many world records between us
One hundred eighty-four! That's plenty of 'em
And I set one hundred eighty-three of 'em!
—"Wayne Gretzky," Epic Rap Battles of History: Tony Hawk vs. Wayne Gretzky
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:31 PM on May 26, 2023
He also kept the Leafs from a Stanley Cup. Which makes him a bit of a painful hockey GOAT for about a third of the population of Canada.Speak for yourself (I know, you are :) ); as a Western Canadian, I have a persistent feeling of glee at Toronto's lengthening drought.
posted by ChrisR at 6:09 PM on May 26, 2023
« Older Better Living Through Algorithms | Surplus to Immediate Business Needs Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Windopaene at 2:08 PM on May 25, 2023 [1 favorite]