GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 (edited) I hope this generates some good debate. A lot of these were slam dunks, but others were close. I had a hard time especially with Vancouver, Anaheim, Buffalo and Chicago. Ducks - Scott Niedermayer Thrashers - Scott Mellanby Bruins - Ray Bourque Sabres - Pat LaFontaine Flames - Jarome Iginla Hurricanes - Ron Francis Blackhawks - Pierre Pilote Avalanche - Joe Sakic Blue Jackets - Adam Foote Stars - Derian Hatcher Red Wings - Steve Yzerman Oilers - Wayne Gretzky Panthers - Brian Skrudland Kings - Wayne Gretzky Wild - Mikko Koivu (they finally made up their minds ) Canadiens - Jean Beliveau Predators - Greg Johnson ( sad but true) Devils - Scott Stevens Islanders - Denis Potvin (edging out Yashin ) Rangers - Mark Messier Senators - Daniel Alfredsson Flyers - Bobby Clarke Penguins - Mario Lemieux Coyotes - Shane Doan Sharks - Owen Nolan Blues - Brian Sutter Lightning - Dave Andreychuk Leafs - George Armstrong Canucks - Trevor Linden Capitals - Dale Hunter Edited August 8, 2010 by GMRwings1983 2 mjlegend and Shaman reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shady Ultima 40 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Stars - Derian Hatcher Mike Modano Leafs - George Armstrong Doug Gilmour Only two I disagreed with. Although, there were quite a few players I didn't even recognize their names. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 (edited) Only two I disagreed with. Although, there were quite a few players I didn't even recognize their names. Armstrong captained the Leafs during their best ever years and was a great leader for them. Gilmour wasn't even the best Captain of the last 20 years for them, with Sundin and Wendel Clark being ahead of him. He captained them nowhere. Don't see how you can make that call. As for Modano, he was only a captain for like a year or so, while Hatcher was the captain for a long time, on a team full of veteran players like Carbonneau, Hull, Zubov, Skrudland and Modano. The fact that he was captain instead of those guys shows a little about his leadership skills and what his teammates thought of him. If Modano was a good captain, he wouldn't have been stripped of it for Brenden Morrow after such a short time. However, if you agree with me on everything else, then I shouldn't be complaining. I've never met anyone who can agree with me on 28 out of 30 things. Edited August 8, 2010 by GMRwings1983 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Armstrong captained the Leafs during their best ever years and was a great leader for them. Gilmour wasn't even the best Captain of the last 20 years for them, with Sundin and Wendel Clark being ahead of him. He captained them nowhere. Don't see how you can make that call. As for Modano, he was only a captain for like a year or so, while Hatcher was the captain for a long time, on a team full of veteran players like Carbonneau, Hull, Zubov, Skrudland and Modano. The fact that he was captain instead of those guys shows a little about his leadership skills and what his teammates thought of him. If Modano was a good captain, he wouldn't have been stripped of it for Brenden Morrow after such a short time. However, if you agree with me on everything else, then I shouldn't be complaining. I've never met anyone who can agree with me on 28 out of 30 things. So your argument for Sundin being a better captain is that he led the leafs somewhere? 1 mjlegend reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Penguins - Mario Lemieux Its Crosby, no one embodies the douchebaggery of the Pens like he does, Lemieux before he let the boy wonder bunk bed in his house was a class act, which does not fit the city, the team or the fan base. 1 Hockeytown0001 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Its Crosby, no one embodies the douchebaggery of the Pens like he does, Lemieux before he let the boy wonder bunk bed in his house was a class act, which does not fit the city, the team or the fan base. Well damn, why don't you tell us how you really feel? 1 Original-Six reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 So your argument for Sundin being a better captain is that he led the leafs somewhere? No, but the teams he played on weren't as good as some of those Leafs teams Gilmour had, with few exceptions. I just think Sundin was a better captain than him and did more with less, especially in later years in Toronto. In any case, Armstrong has to be the best Leafs captain ever, even if people remember Gilmour or Clark more nowadays. I was talking about all-time Captains and not say the last 20 years or so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 No, but the teams he played on weren't as good as some of those Leafs teams Gilmour had, with few exceptions. I just think Sundin was a better captain than him and did more with less, especially in later years in Toronto. In any case, Armstrong has to be the best Leafs captain ever, even if people remember Gilmour or Clark more nowadays. I was talking about all-time Captains and not say the last 20 years or so. Sundin was never a leader in my eyes. Gilmour had the fire to be a leader. In 02 when the leafs had that run to the confrence finals, they did so without Sundin, once he returned they played like s***. I've just always seen Sundin as a good player but not a great captain 1 Z Winged Dangler reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Good list. I'd put Crosby ahead of Lemieux. Lemieux was a great player and a decent leader, but Crosby. The DB torch burns brightest with him as someone else mentioned. Plus I think Crosby will prove to be a better, all around player by the time it's said and done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zetts 236 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 (edited) Plus I think Crosby will prove to be a better, all around player by the time it's said and done. Better than Lemieux?! I may be wrong, but before coming out of retirement, didn't Lemieux have the best points per game average in NHL history? Lemieux was pure class. Crosby will never compare in any sense. Also, Crosby made the Penguins and their fans douches - the franchise was fine before he got there. Edited August 8, 2010 by Zetts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 (edited) Armstrong captained the Leafs during their best ever years and was a great leader for them. Gilmour wasn't even the best Captain of the last 20 years for them, with Sundin and Wendel Clark being ahead of him. He captained them nowhere. Don't see how you can make that call. And to add to your argument, Gilmour wasn't even the Leafs Captain when they went to the WCF in 1993 and 1994, it was Clark. Dougie was Captain after Clark was traded before the 1995 lockout shortened season, and only wore the C until he was traded to NJ at the 1997 deadline. I think Armstrong is a no-brainer! Edit: Great list GMRwings1983, no arguments or disagreements from me at all! Edited August 8, 2010 by Barrie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Good list. I'd put Crosby ahead of Lemieux. Lemieux was a great player and a decent leader, but Crosby. The DB torch burns brightest with him as someone else mentioned. Plus I think Crosby will prove to be a better, all around player by the time it's said and done. I say "No" to both points here. Lemieux is ahead of Sakic and Yzerman on the all-time greatest list. Crosby is no where near Sakic and Yzerman territory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wally42 1 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Ducks - Paul Kariya Sabres - michael peca Blackhawks - Chris Chelios Avalanche - Joe Sakic Blue Jackets - Rick nash Canadiens - Maurice Richard Blues - Chris Pronger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 I say "No" to both points here. Lemieux is ahead of Sakic and Yzerman on the all-time greatest list. Crosby is no where near Sakic and Yzerman territory. Not yet but he's off to a pretty good start. I'm projecting in the case of Crosby. He's managed to improve an area of his game pretty much every season. People like to compare present day Crosby to Legends like it could ever be a fair comparison. Given time, there's really no reason to believe that he won't eclipse Sakic and Yzerman someday. It's not like their numbers and achievements are THAT untouchable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adidarw 35 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Maybe I don't follow hockey close enough or know enough about it, but how can we as fans even gauge something like this? We really barely know anything if anything at all about how these guys run their team or are as people. I mean what criteria are we looking at? I couldn't even tell you the difference between Yzerman and Lidstrom as captains. This is a serious question, I just dont know how you guys are coming up with these lists. Again, maybe some people just do more homework than I do. All I know is what I see from watching games and highlight reels, which tells me nothing about how good of a captain someone is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Maybe I don't follow hockey close enough or know enough about it, but how can we as fans even gauge something like this? We really barely know anything if anything at all about how these guys run their team or are as people. I mean what criteria are we looking at? I couldn't even tell you the difference between Yzerman and Lidstrom as captains. This is a serious question, I just dont know how you guys are coming up with these lists. Again, maybe some people just do more homework than I do. All I know is what I see from watching games and highlight reels, which tells me nothing about how good of a captain someone is. Just like any other 'Best of' list. A glorified popularity contest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Sundin was never a leader in my eyes. Gilmour had the fire to be a leader. In 02 when the leafs had that run to the confrence finals, they did so without Sundin, once he returned they played like s***. I've just always seen Sundin as a good player but not a great captain Any Swede will disagree with you with a passion. Might just be a national team thing though. Can't say I followed the Leafs enough to make an argument based on that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 Not yet but he's off to a pretty good start. I'm projecting in the case of Crosby. He's managed to improve an area of his game pretty much every season. People like to compare present day Crosby to Legends like it could ever be a fair comparison. Given time, there's really no reason to believe that he won't eclipse Sakic and Yzerman someday. It's not like their numbers and achievements are THAT untouchable. and he's got a lot of growing up to do too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted August 8, 2010 and he's got a lot of growing up to do too. For sure. That's one area where he seems to be starting off in the hole. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blgillett 48 Report post Posted August 9, 2010 Sorry but Crosby not even close to Lemieux but for my money the best is still Stevie Y. I may be a little one sited but that my two cents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted August 9, 2010 Ducks - Paul Kariya Sabres - michael peca Blackhawks - Chris Chelios Avalanche - Joe Sakic Blue Jackets - Rick nash Canadiens - Maurice Richard Blues - Chris Pronger I picked Sakic for Colorado. I'm not that argumentative. Kariya and Chelios were close ones for me, and Pronger I quickly dismissed when I remembered Sutter's rep as a great leader of the Blues in the 80's. Maybe I don't follow hockey close enough or know enough about it, but how can we as fans even gauge something like this? We really barely know anything if anything at all about how these guys run their team or are as people. I mean what criteria are we looking at? I couldn't even tell you the difference between Yzerman and Lidstrom as captains. This is a serious question, I just dont know how you guys are coming up with these lists. Again, maybe some people just do more homework than I do. All I know is what I see from watching games and highlight reels, which tells me nothing about how good of a captain someone is. Just going on their reputations for most and the others I just posted my opinion on. I was never in the Wings locker room, but from what I've heard from players and seen on the ice, Yzerman was a pretty good captain. Same with guys like Stevens or Messier. For others it was harder, but if you are a fan of the game's history, you can make educated opinions (or guesses) on those too if you study the history of the game and its players enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted August 9, 2010 Any Swede will disagree with you with a passion. Might just be a national team thing though. Can't say I followed the Leafs enough to make an argument based on that. Definitely a national team thing, Sundin is largely viewed as a loser at the NHL level Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted August 9, 2010 Definitely a national team thing, Sundin is largely viewed as a loser at the NHL level I wouldn't say that. He was a good leader. Naslund too, which is another good Swedish captain, and he's the one I'm surprised no one has argued on me with. I had a hard time choosing between him and Linden. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z Winged Dangler 2,082 Report post Posted August 9, 2010 Better than Lemieux?! I may be wrong, but before coming out of retirement, didn't Lemieux have the best points per game average in NHL history? Lemieux was pure class. Crosby will never compare in any sense. Also, Crosby made the Penguins and their fans douches - the franchise was fine before he got there. crosby didn't have the goalies to shoot on that lemieux and gretzky did. if you put sid and ovie in the era with lemieux and gretzky, you have a 4 person race for the art ross on your hands. that's why i will not put my best captains of all time because it's apples and oranges. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted August 9, 2010 Only two I disagreed with. Although, there were quite a few players I didn't even recognize their names. I have to ask....which names did you not recognize?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites