Customer Reviews

The Top 100 NHL Players of All-Time

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This is a fine, nicely produced, digest-like introduction to pro hockey's most legendary players, the men who made the game in the 20th century. Filled with large, professional photos, brief statistical packages, and well-written summaries of each player's career, it would make a nice gift for the casual fan, as well as serve as the starting point of "discussions" among seasoned fans who are likely to disagree with the Hockey News' choices and rankings. / Since this is a virtual reproduction of the "Top 50 NHL Players of All-Time" magazine that was published by THN in Jan. 1998 -- the only additions being 14 pages covering players ranked 51-100 (with tidbit sized entries), another 10 pages covering "future prospects" and some more color photos -- fans who bought the magazine and feel compelled to buy this volume may try to look at the money spent on the book as less of a rip than the money spent on the magazine.

What makes this book so credible is that the most respected names in the world of hockey analysis compiled a list of the men that were the best of the best during their time. Due to the date of publication, some of the rankings would no longer be considered legit, but while reading about a certain player, the information and stories provided allows you to forget about rankings and simply relive the magic that the players brought to the game.
The Top 5 Players creates the biggest discussion. The debate will forever go on as to who the greatest player ever was. The debate usually revolves around Howe, Orr and Gretzky. There is a second arguement between who was better, Gretzky and Mario. Wayne Gretzky left no questions unanswered while Orr and Mario left us wondering what could have been. Gordie Howe will forever have a place in our heart as Mr.Hockey and was the perfect choice for Third overall. Rocket Richard was a nice way to round out the top 5. This piece of literature has inspired endless debates in the hockey world and anything that generates interest in hockey gets a seal of approval from me. I suggest reading this book or at least reading about some of the players you are more familiar with because I guarantee you will gain a new appreciation to what they brought to the game.

There are two types of player ratings. The first, where nostalgia counts for about 80% and actuall numbers and talent 20%. And the second, well that doesn't exist at the moment. I agree that new fans need to know the greats; however, your job is to rate the top 100 players. Now, to Yzerman. He did not have the "Gretzky Rule" where no one was allowed to touch him or the size of a Lemuiex. He did everything on pure talent and a dogged determination. When someone has a top 100 without Yzerman in the top 10, it says more about the author than the player.

How can this book claim to be about the top players of all time when Steve Yzerman is conspicuously absent from the top 50. How many of these players have clocked up his kind of numbers ( for example: 155 points in a season ) and still continue to be a prodigious presence on the ice? Top 100? Don't make me laugh. This book lost all credibility the moment I read the contents page.

Not a bad book except for the absurdity of Gretzky being #1 in front of Orr. It seems to me the only people this would be a debate for are those who are not old enough or lucky enough to have seen Orr actually skate and play. You can't just look at numbers on a page and decide; you have to watch them in action! And anyone who has watched Orr in action wouldn't mistake Gretzky for #1. Gretzky put up AMAZING numbers, and, yes, that is part of the decision making process. But not all of it.
If you had a team of 6 Orr's against 6 Gretzky's, Gretzky would have a hard time even touching the puck for the whole game. How could you EVER get the puck away from 6 Orr's? You couldn't. It would be a slaughter and then no one could mistake Gretzky as #1. But alas, to see such a match up is a fantasy!
Also, I think it is a damn crime that Gretzky's number got retired from the ENTIRE N.H.L. instead of just from his team whereas Orr's number just got retired from the Bruins.