Is Canada primed for the next great hockey player ?

edmundfitzgerald

Bobby Orr came into the NHL in 1965.

We had Lafluer, Dionne, Bossy, Sittler, and Clarke come along too.

Wayne Gretzky came into the NHL in 1979.

We had guys like Messier, Coffey, Bourque come along too.

Mario Lemieux came into the NHL in 1984.

We had guys like Yzerman, Hull, and Sakic come along too.


We had a 14 year wait between the time Bobby Orr came into the league until Gretzky came in.
We had a 5 year wait between Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

It's been 25 years since Mario entered the league, and Canada has yet to produce the next "great one".

We've had good ones come along, but league history teaches us that Canada should be producing the
next great one very shortly.

Goot

I thought Crosby was the next great one?



Crosby is averaging 1.35 ppg which would qualify him for 5th all time behind Gretzky (1.921), Lemieux (1.883), Bossy (1.497), and Bobby Orr (1.393). He's only 22 years old, has 1 cup victory, 2 cup appearances, and Art Ross, Hart, and Peterson Trophies. I'd say he's definitely the next great one if he keeps it up.

Goot

Also, why do you leave off Gordie Howe? 6 Harts, 6 Art Ross's, amazing durability (played into his 50's), one of the leading goal scorers to this day. He is hockey's Babe Ruth, IMO.

edmundfitzgerald

Good point goot.

Mario had a "quiet" first two years, but really broke out in the 1987 Canada Cup. He was fortunate to play on
a power play line of Gretzky, Lemieux, Messier, Bourque, and Coffey. His game continued to elevate year after year
after 1987.

Let's see how Crosby does in the Olympics this year. Let's see if his game goes to another level. He probably won't have
a Gretzky like player to play with, but let's see if he takes his game to another level. He didn't make the last Olympic team,
so he sure has motivation this time around.

perkdog

Doesnt Crosby get hurt every other game?