No. 9 isn't just Howe's number

[auxlepli 17]

At first I thought it was going to be about how Bobby Hull and Maurice Richard also wore number nine. Instead it's about the writer's, Terry Foster, daughter wearing nine. Awesome article.

http://tinyurl.com/2f6mc8

[Wingsfan25161929 3]

Great article! Thanks for sharing! He's so right. I mean even though I dont ever remember Gordie Howe playing, I have been lucky enough to have been told about him. But for me it's so hard to even remember that the little kids I deal with on a daily basis don't even remember the Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup in '97 and '98...and if they do remember '02 it's not very good. And heck, now that I think about it, they probably don't even know who Steve Yzerman is.

As detroit sports fans, it is our responsibility to pass on the legacy of Howe, Yzerman, and others to our children. It is our job to teach them. These are not things they are going to learn in school.

[SweWings 45]

Well...not at the legacy-passing point yet but no worries..I shall...

[Guest Yzer19]

Nice article, but I think Foster should take off his homer glasses. As much as I love Howe, there is no denying it that Gretzky is the greatest hockey player of all-time. Yes, Howe was the tougher player and the better fighter, but that doesn't make him the better player. Howe is the best Red Wing player of all-time with Lidstrom a close second.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

Nice article...and LUCKY GUY..his daughter plays on the same team as Yzerman's? It would be awesome to chat with him while watching your kids play. sweet.

[shannyfan1414 0]

that was a great read. really enjoyed it.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Nice article, but I think Foster should take off his homer glasses. As much as I love Howe, there is no denying it that Gretzky is the greatest hockey player of all-time. Yes, Howe was the tougher player and the better fighter, but that doesn't make him the better player. Howe is the best Red Wing player of all-time with Lidstrom a close second.

I disagree. Here is my "Rule of 5" theory.

5 Gretzkys vs. 5 Howes. Each in their prime with identical goalkeepers and rules that are a mix of their eras (which would be late 70's - 80s. I see Team Gordie out playing Team Wayne because of physicality and skating ability. Howe is bigger, stronger, faster, better shot, and was a fair passer. Wayne was a GREAT passer and not much more. He saw the ice better than anyone else and had great teammates to give the puck to and get it from.

This theory also applies to basketball. Ex. 5 Jordans vs. 5 Shaqs. Not even close. But 5 Jordans vs. 5 Birds or 5 Magics or 5 Kobes. Much closer to call.

Howe > Gretzky

[Guest Yzer19]

I disagree. Here is my "Rule of 5" theory.

5 Gretzkys vs. 5 Howes. Each in their prime with identical goalkeepers and rules that are a mix of their eras (which would be late 70's - 80s. I see Team Gordie out playing Team Wayne because of physicality and skating ability. Howe is bigger, stronger, faster, better shot, and was a fair passer. Wayne was a GREAT passer and not much more. He saw the ice better than anyone else and had great teammates to give the puck to and get it from.

This theory also applies to basketball. Ex. 5 Jordans vs. 5 Shaqs. Not even close. But 5 Jordans vs. 5 Birds or 5 Magics or 5 Kobes. Much closer to call.

Howe > Gretzky

I disagree. Gretzky is far better offensively and it's not even close. The numbers don't lie. It's just too big of a difference. The 5 Gretzky's would wipe the floor with the 5 Howe's. Gretzky >>>>>>>> Howe.

Edited October 1, 2007 by Yzer19

[isbister 0]

Great story rich and compelling

[drwscc 212]

I disagree. Gretzky is far better offensively and it's not even close. The numbers don't lie. It's just too big of a difference. The 5 Gretzky's would wipe the floor with the 5 Howe's. Gretzky >>>>>>>> Howe.

I think the point he was making is that if you had 2 teams, 1 of 5 Gretzky's and 1 of 5 Howe's that the Howe team would just dominate. I think he's right. Wayne-o was an offensive dynamo, no question. He was a great passer, and a great shooter. Howe, however (lol pun) was a much better all around player. He had awesome offensive prowess, but was also big, mean, and not afraid of taking the body to someone. Gretzky is not known for being a physical force, and you could argue that without the McSorleys he always had to protect him, he wouldn't have been nearly as good. Gordie was great offensively, and was his own McSorely.

[WingsZR2 1]

Gordie was great offensively, and was his own McSorely.

QFT

[Guest Yzer19]

QFT

What is QFT?

[Opie 308]

Quoted For Truth

Took me a while to get that one myself!

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

Nice article, but I think Foster should take off his homer glasses. As much as I love Howe, there is no denying it that Gretzky is the greatest hockey player of all-time. Yes, Howe was the tougher player and the better fighter, but that doesn't make him the better player. Howe is the best Red Wing player of all-time with Lidstrom a close second.

I disagree. Here is my "Rule of 5" theory.

5 Gretzkys vs. 5 Howes. Each in their prime with identical goalkeepers and rules that are a mix of their eras (which would be late 70's - 80s. I see Team Gordie out playing Team Wayne because of physicality and skating ability. Howe is bigger, stronger, faster, better shot, and was a fair passer. Wayne was a GREAT passer and not much more. He saw the ice better than anyone else and had great teammates to give the puck to and get it from.

This theory also applies to basketball. Ex. 5 Jordans vs. 5 Shaqs. Not even close. But 5 Jordans vs. 5 Birds or 5 Magics or 5 Kobes. Much closer to call.

Howe > Gretzky

I disagree with both of you. I think it is impossible to say any one player is the best ever. Howe and Gretzky played in different eras. They not only played different styles, but they played in different games. Remember goalies didn't wear masks when Gordie played, and most players used straight sticks. Wayne played with guys who not only had curved sticks, but also helmets. Goalies even dropped down to make a save.

A statement I would agree with, and one that I think is more accurate would be, Gordie was the best of his era, and Wayne was the best of his.

[Guest jaytan]

Nice article, but I think Foster should take off his homer glasses. As much as I love Howe, there is no denying it that Gretzky is the greatest hockey player of all-time. Yes, Howe was the tougher player and the better fighter, but that doesn't make him the better player. Howe is the best Red Wing player of all-time with Lidstrom a close second.

Wrong!