NHL99: A project ranking the greatest players in modern NHL history - The Athletic

[loppantorkel]

I like this article. It's currently down to #37 Al MacInnis. A few surprises along the way. Malkin who was left off the other greatest 100 players list still hasn't showed up, but I'm expecting him soon. Pavel Bure, I believe didn't make this one, while Mogilny did at #89. Fedorov should show up in the late 20s, early 30's I believe. All Russian player speculation here, but it's interesting to see these kind of rankings and see how they compare to each other.

Another player I think will around the Malkin and Fedorov area - Peter Forsberg.

Anything interesting you've found in the list? Any speculation on what to come? Disagree or do you like the list so far?


Another thing I'm looking forward to - How these players will rank Ovechkin, Crosby, Jagr, Lidström, R Bourque, P Roy, D Hasek. They should all be behind the Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux, but in what order...?

Great read regardless.

Edit:
To make the thread less of an advertisement for the Athletic, which I didn't intend, and a bit more engaging - please make your 1-10 prediction. I think it's safe to assume Gretzky at number 1, since it's called NHL99, but the rest should be interesting.
3p for correct placement
2p for one placement from the correct rank
1p for two placements from the correct rank

My prediction for top 10:

 

1. W Gretzky
2. B Orr
3. M Lemieux
4. N Lidström
5. P Roy
6. S Crosby
7. J Jagr
8. D Hasek
9. A Ovechkin
10. R Bourque

[tweetdrivr]

If Mogilny was #89 maybe Bure is at 10? I can’t imagine Bure would not be there. He changed the game. He was so fast and skilled.

[loppantorkel]

If Mogilny was #89 maybe Bure is at 10? I can’t imagine Bure would not be there. He changed the game. He was so fast and skilled.

You may very well be right. He was inducted into the HoF pretty early in contrast to Mogilny. I always thought of them as fairly similar - both great Russian goal scorers, but I can't say I saw them play more than through highlights. It's what makes these kind of lists so interesting - the comparisons that can be made, and new insights how the players are viewed.

To make the thread less of an advertisement for the Athletic, which I didn't intend, and a bit more engaging - please make your 1-10 prediction. I think it's safe to assume Gretzky at number 1, since it's called NHL99, but the rest should be interesting.
3p for correct placement
2p for one placement from the correct rank
1p for two placements from the correct rank

Edit: I also wonder where McDavid will end up in a list like this. Can he be top 10 already?

[tweetdrivr]

Agreed. I saw them both play. Bure was a little smaller and much faster. He could things on the fly that were amazing. Mogilny was a great skater in a straight line and had an absolutely leathal shot. Both fantastic players.

[Invictus]

Ron Francis top 10!
Is that a bold prediction? Mark it

[loppantorkel]

Ron Francis top 10!
Is that a bold prediction? Mark it

It is a bold prediction! Francis was covered 5 places ago at #42, two places below Luc Robitaille at #40, which for me was a surprise to be found that high. I would've thought Francis would be found a bit closer to the 20-30 range, and Robitaille not better than Datsyuk, Bergeron or S Niedermayer who all have been covered in the 40's, #43, #46 and #45 respectively.

[everfeb]

when did the MODERN NHL history begin?

[loppantorkel]

when did the MODERN NHL history begin?

1967. Gordie Howe, M Richard and Bobby Hull are off the list for that reason. They made a threshold at 400 NHL games played from 1967-2022. Auston Matthews made it, Cale Makar did not.

[everfeb]

1967. Gordie Howe, M Richard and Bobby Hull are off the list for that reason. They made a threshold at 400 NHL games played from 1967-2022. Auston Matthews made it, Cale Makar did not.

Thanks loppantorkel.

[sweetcelly]

1. Gretzky
2. Lemieux
3. Orr
4. Jagr
5. Yzerman
6. Bourque
7. Esposito
8. Bossy
9. Coffey
10. Dionne

[stevegamer]

1967. Gordie Howe, M Richard and Bobby Hull are off the list for that reason. They made a threshold at 400 NHL games played from 1967-2022. Auston Matthews made it, Cale Makar did not.

Makar's not the guy they are keeping off by making it 400, that's Howe and his 350 or so NHL games.

My only prediction is Ovechkin at 8.

[loppantorkel]

If Mogilny was #89 maybe Bure is at 10? I can’t imagine Bure would not be there. He changed the game. He was so fast and skilled.

Pavel Bure just popped in at #36. Quite a bit higher than I would've expected, but probably worthy of that place

[tweetdrivr]

I like it.

[loppantorkel]

Chris Pronger at #35 and not happy about it.

Various names still unranked:
Gretzky
Orr
Lidstrom
Bourque
Coffey
Chelios
Leetch
Robinson
Potvin
Wilson
Hasek
Roy
Brodeur
Crosby
Ovechkin
Thornton
Lemieux
Jagr
Selanne
Clarke
Lafleur
Trottier
Bossy
Yzerman
Sakic
Fedorov
Forsberg
Iginla
Messier
Dryden
Dionne
P Esposito
Malkin
Housley
McDavid
Brett Hull

[Invictus]

Too many greats to nail something concrete down without knowing their criteria... but I will start with (and it's a work in progress):

1. Gretzky
   
2. Lemieux
   
3. Orr
   
4. Jagr
5. Yzerman (Higher due to
6. Coffey
7. Bourque
   
8. Bossy (Lowered due to fewer GP)
9. Dionne
10. McDavid

I'd have Messier, Esposito, Crosby, Forsberg, Sakic, LaFleur, Selanne, Robinson in 10-20.
I've been ignoring goalies.

Thornton should not be making this list anymore with some of the names already listed.