Finnish Wing

No love for Leino here, I guess.

I miss the Cooper helmets.Even though I was barely born back then.

Cindy of course, a real catfight.

Ruutu, Tootoo, Cheechoo.

Salei.

No, I'm only bi-winning™.Sorry. Had to do it.

Mickey is drunk.

All-time: Raimo Helminen Currently: Ville Leino

I think Lidstrom is a pretty good passer as well. Raimo Helminen was one player who played only a couple seasons in the NHL, but gained huge reputation in Finland, Sweden and on the international level because of his playmaking abilities. To many he was the King of the saucer pass, both forehand and backhand - the puck just always dropped onto teammates stick. Another Finnish (yeah) famous for his breakout pass is Petteri Nummelin. He too played only a couple seasons in the NHL, but has been the top puck-moving defensemen outside NHL for a lot of years and succeeded greatly when representing Team Finland.

Yeah, well I based that team on Olympic performances (because it's an Olympic team, obviously). Now that I re-read the original post I realized it was more about creating the ultimate team, not necessary the best team out of players based on what they've done in the Olympics.That's why Kapanen is there as well, instead of Jokinen. I also think Kapanen was a good two-way player, used to play defenseman every now and then, had amazing speed.

Actually the list is about the most skilled players. I don't think skill and talent are the same. When you speak of skill it's usually about skill with the puck - where as talent is talent. Talent is something that is natural and doesn't necessary build through hours of practice but you need both talent and training to be at the top. I think skill is more about puck skills while talent can cover the all around game.

That was nothing but a fun detail. No need to take it so seriously. I don't think Kurri has much on Gretzky in terms of greatness. Like I said, I think it's much harder to build a franchise nowadays - therefore winning Cups is also harder. There's the little thing called salary cap. You can't just take all the best players and win five consecutive Cups. Actually the last team who've even win two consecutive Cups are us and that was - like you all know - over ten years ago. There was no cap back then. The Oilers won four cups in five years. To me that's impossible in today's NHL.

Well, there would probably be even more of those players in all-time toughest players list.

There is already one overweight player in Jutila so Berg would be too much. Also, no enforcers in the international games my friend - so no Helenius either. I've always seen Kurri as the best all time, but Selanne's performances are giving me a hard time to decide. But it's definitely between them two. Here's a little comparison. Kurri: + more Stanley Cups + better stats overall + better two-way player Selanne: + considering what the game was like when Kurri played and what it is now, I value Selanne's stats more + has been able to stay good late in his career as well, while Kurri had most of his success at a younger age + although Selanne had Kariya + some other good guys, Kurri still had WAY better players around him - one who need not to be even mentioned + MUCH better player in international games; always great in Olympics I have to say I almost think Selanne is better. Obviously those Stanley Cups weight a lot in Kurri's cup - he even won one without Gretzky while Gretzky never won without him. But it's just so different nowadays. It's much harder to win one Cup - not to even mention about building a dynasty. Kurri had the "luxury" of being part of a dynasty, although he was big part of it himself. Selanne really hasn't had that.

Well, although he was on the bronze medal winning team in Nagano that was his only Olympic appearance and he played only 6 Olympic games total finishing with 2 points. I know he did far more than just score points, but still. Now that I look at it, I don't think Kurri should be there either. I just kinda assumed he was an obvious choice, but there could be better choices - guys who never played in the NHL for example.

O. Jokinen-S. Koivu-T. Selänne T. Ruutu-M. Koivu-J. Kurri N. Hagman-N. Kapanen-J. Lehtinen V. Peltonen-R. Helminen-S. Kapanen + E. Keskinen, J. Ojanen J. Lumme-T. Numminen P. Nummelin-R. Ruotsalainen K. Timonen-J. Laukkanen + T. Jutila A. Niittymäki J. Myllys + M. Kiprusoff Great offensive talent, but also good two-way players. Great offensive defenseman and fantastic goaltender in Niittymäki (MVP in 2006). The lines are more about "chemistry", so Hagman isn't necessary better than Peltonen for example.

Exactly. You can break your nose or jaw many times, but it's one shot thing with your eyes. And your eyesight is much more important.

I don't think those are the reasons players don't wear visors. Of course for most of the older players it's just a habit, but when it comes to the younger guys I think it just to make them look "tougher".

I think the team would be pretty much filled with old CCCP players.

DRIVE!

Eaves a great player, but I'm glad Holland doesn't think like that.

"Leino didn't work here. Dan Cleary didn't work all the places he was it. It happens. "

The best post in the entire thread. I think we can call it a /thread now.

Actually capgeek says Yashin's CAP HIT is 7+ mill. I think cap hit matters a lot more than the actual salary paid these days.edit: OOPS! Just checked and you're right. I didn't know you could lower the cap hit by buying out a contract.

I didn't know I had a theory. Because I never really wasn't on the "Leino is lazy and sucks!" wagon.