Greatest Starting Lineup in Hockey History

[MSP4LYFE]

Dominik Hasek:

2 Hart Trophies (3 other nominations)
6 Vezina Trophies
1st place – Highest career save percent (.922)

In 1997, he became the first goaltender to win the Lester B. Pearson Award for most outstanding player in the league. He is also the only goaltender to win the Hart Trophy twice for most valuable player, which is only one Vezina Trophy away from tying Jacques Plante's record of seven.

While with the Red Wings in 2002, Hasek became the first European starting goaltender to win the Stanley Cup. In the process, he set a record for shutouts in a postseason year.

The Buffalo Sabres teams that Hasek played for were primarily awful and he would carry them through the entire season.

I can't believe I forgot about Hasek...He was my favorite player growing up, and the reason I cheered for the Sabres until I was 9. Definitely the greatest of all time, IMO.

[MSP4LYFE]

^Howe played till he was 50...Your ppg in general are going to drop after that long.

Also, I'm surprised there isn't more love for Kharlamov, he is widely regarded as the best Russian born player ever, and many, including those on the Canadian team remarked that he was as good, if not better than anyone else during the years leading up to an following the 72 summit series.

Howe never scored at a Bossy clip. Mike Bossy is the best goal scorer to ever live, period.

As for Kharlamov.. I think of Sergei Priakin when he came over.. the NHL ate him up and spit him out.

The guy dominated in the 72 Summit Series, against the best Canada had to offer (save for Orr and Hull). The only way they could stop him was with a cheap slash to the ankle. Priakin isn't in the same universe as Kharlamov...

[Scott]

I agree with the Hasek love.. fuck was he unbeatable back in the day.. just a freak in net.

[Scott]

^Howe played till he was 50...Your ppg in general are going to drop after that long.

Also, I'm surprised there isn't more love for Kharlamov, he is widely regarded as the best Russian born player ever, and many, including those on the Canadian team remarked that he was as good, if not better than anyone else during the years leading up to an following the 72 summit series.

Howe never scored at a Bossy clip. Mike Bossy is the best goal scorer to ever live, period.

As for Kharlamov.. I think of Sergei Priakin when he came over.. the NHL ate him up and spit him out.

The guy dominated in the 72 Summit Series, against the best Canada had to offer (save for Orr and Hull). The only way they could stop him was with a cheap slash to the ankle. Priakin isn't in the same universe as Kharlamov...

I agree he had an impact on the series and gave the Canadian team fits.. but for me to include someone as one of the best ever they must play with/against the best ever full time.. not for a few games. I bring up Priakin because he hype surrounding him and the international success he had with the Russians. I think he lasted 40 or so games in the NHL and was pretty terrible.

[Nick]

Didn't mean to say your opinion was wrong Scott. Just that IMO Wayne, Gordie and Bobby are the best players ever, add in Dom and then there are really only 2 position up for debate from my POV.

[Shep]

Sergei Pryakhin has a Stanley Cup ring.

'nuff said.

[MSP4LYFE]

The difference is that during Kharlamov's reign, the Russians were very arguably the best in the world.

[Ryan]

Kharlamov played well at the summit series, but the fact is nobody here has watched him play for an extended period of time. His career took place during the height of the iron curtain. You can't really make a strong argument for him to be on an all-time starting line-up based solely on a few games. None of us have seen enough of him to make a fair assessment. Putting him on your list is just perceived by others as a weak attempt at seeming like an "educated" hockey fan. It reminds me of the MMA fans that will choose a random Japanese fighter to tout as the world #1. Shinya Aoki anybody? Not even a year after idiots heralded him as the best in the world he is considering retirement after getting handed a few losses.

Maybe Kharlamov is one of the greatest talents ever.. but there isn't a big enough sample of data to make a sound judgment.

[Scott]

The difference is that during Kharlamov's reign, the Russians were very arguably the best in the world.

Trust me, I'm not saying he's garbage.. I just have a way of judging players. I've watched the summit series over 20 times and he's noticeable on almost every shift and looked ahead of his time. But players over here get judged on their entire careers, not 8 games.

[Scott]

Kharlamov played well at the summit series, but the fact is nobody here has watched him play for an extended period of time. His career took place during the height of the iron curtain. You can't really make a strong argument for him to be on an all-time starting line-up based solely on a few games. None of us have seen enough of him to make a fair assessment. Putting him on your list is just perceived by others as a weak attempt at seeming like an "educated" hockey fan. It reminds me of the MMA fans that will choose a random Japanese fighter to tout as the world #1. Shinya Aoki anybody? Not even a year after idiots heralded him as the best in the world he is considering retirement after getting handed a few losses.

Maybe Kharlamov is one of the greatest talents ever.. but there isn't a big enough sample of data to make a sound judgment.

Exactly how I feel about this too.. well said.

[MSP4LYFE]

Kharlamov played well at the summit series, but the fact is nobody here has watched him play for an extended period of time. His career took place during the height of the iron curtain. You can't really make a strong argument for him to be on an all-time starting line-up based solely on a few games. None of us have seen enough of him to make a fair assessment. Putting him on your list is just perceived by others as a weak attempt at seeming like an "educated" hockey fan. It reminds me of the MMA fans that will choose a random Japanese fighter to tout as the world #1. Shinya Aoki anybody? Not even a year after idiots heralded him as the best in the world he is considering retirement after getting handed a few losses.

Maybe Kharlamov is one of the greatest talents ever.. but there isn't a big enough sample of data to make a sound judgment.

You've got me all figured out.

[anton]

Kharlamov played well at the summit series, but the fact is nobody here has watched him play for an extended period of time. His career took place during the height of the iron curtain. You can't really make a strong argument for him to be on an all-time starting line-up based solely on a few games. None of us have seen enough of him to make a fair assessment. Putting him on your list is just perceived by others as a weak attempt at seeming like an "educated" hockey fan. It reminds me of the MMA fans that will choose a random Japanese fighter to tout as the world #1. Shinya Aoki anybody? Not even a year after idiots heralded him as the best in the world he is considering retirement after getting handed a few losses.

Maybe Kharlamov is one of the greatest talents ever.. but there isn't a big enough sample of data to make a sound judgment.

kareem gets destroyed

[Nick]

I kinda wonder if Ovy isn't the best LW to date.


---Ovechkin --- Gretzky ---- Howe---
------------Orr --- Fowler------------
--------------Hasek-----------------

[MSP4LYFE]

The difference is that during Kharlamov's reign, the Russians were very arguably the best in the world.

Trust me, I'm not saying he's garbage.. I just have a way of judging players. I've watched the summit series over 20 times and he's noticeable on almost every shift and looked ahead of his time. But players over here get judged on their entire careers, not 8 games.

Perhaps not, but he is widely regarded as the staple of Russian hockey, and the first true superstar of the sport in that country. Much like Gordie Howe in North America, who I have also never seen play. Players like that were more than just hockey players, they were pioneers that transcended the game for their respective nations, for those reasons, among others, I have Kharlamov in my top 5.

[MSP4LYFE]

I kinda wonder if Ovy isn't the best LW to date.


---Ovechkin --- Gretzky ---- Howe---
------------Orr --- Fowler------------
--------------Hasek-----------------

By the en of his career, he very well might be, and certainly you have to think Sid will be in that discussion too.

[Shep]

Kharlamov played well at the summit series, but the fact is nobody here has watched him play for an extended period of time. His career took place during the height of the iron curtain. You can't really make a strong argument for him to be on an all-time starting line-up based solely on a few games. None of us have seen enough of him to make a fair assessment. Putting him on your list is just perceived by others as a weak attempt at seeming like an "educated" hockey fan. It reminds me of the MMA fans that will choose a random Japanese fighter to tout as the world #1. Shinya Aoki anybody? Not even a year after idiots heralded him as the best in the world he is considering retirement after getting handed a few losses.

Maybe Kharlamov is one of the greatest talents ever.. but there isn't a big enough sample of data to make a sound judgment.

Fedor Emelianenko is the best MMA fighter.

[Scott]

Kharlamov played well at the summit series, but the fact is nobody here has watched him play for an extended period of time. His career took place during the height of the iron curtain. You can't really make a strong argument for him to be on an all-time starting line-up based solely on a few games. None of us have seen enough of him to make a fair assessment. Putting him on your list is just perceived by others as a weak attempt at seeming like an "educated" hockey fan. It reminds me of the MMA fans that will choose a random Japanese fighter to tout as the world #1. Shinya Aoki anybody? Not even a year after idiots heralded him as the best in the world he is considering retirement after getting handed a few losses.

Maybe Kharlamov is one of the greatest talents ever.. but there isn't a big enough sample of data to make a sound judgment.

Fedor Emelianenko is the best MMA fighter.

I 100% agree with you.

[MSP4LYFE]

I 100% agree with you.

Alistair Overeem says hi

[Nick]

I kinda wonder if Ovy isn't the best LW to date.


---Ovechkin --- Gretzky ---- Howe---
------------Orr --- Fowler------------
--------------Hasek-----------------

By the en of his career, he very well might be, and certainly you have to think Sid will be in that discussion too.

The problem is position. Anywhere but Centre and he's damn close to having an argument as it stands (similar to Ovy really).


Did you notice who the RD was? LOL

[MSP4LYFE]

Did you notice who the RD was? LOL

HAHAHAAHAHAHAHA, you would have Fowler in your lineup.