Ogopogo*
Guest
In my estimation, there are 5 players that completely dominated the game, changed the game and left an undeniable stamp on the National Hockey League. These are players that accomplished things that no player had ever done before and set new standards for playing the game. This is not a list of the 5 greatest players necessarily it is just a summary of 5 players that transcended the game.
Eddie Shore dominated the NHL in the late 20s and early 30s. From the defense position, he won 4 Hart Trophies! Yes, that is one more than Bobby Orr. If they gave out the Norris Trophy when Shore played, he would have captured 9 of them.
Gordie Howe won six scoring titles and twice won by more than 25% over his nearest competitor. He was a 21 time all star and 6 time MVP. Howe was more amazing than most people give him credit for and his legend was built not on longevity alone but being excellent for a long time.
Bobby Orr set an incredible standard for defensemen that may never be matched. He not only dominated the Norris trophy by winning it in 8 of his 9 NHL seasons but, he completely revolutionized the offensive defenseman. He is the only d man to ever win a scoring title and, he added 3 Hart Trophies and 2 Conn Smythes to his resume.
Wayne Gretzky was winning scoring titles by such a wide margin that his dominance will likely never be touched. Gretzky won the 1986-87 title by an amazing 69% and he won 4 other scoring titles by at least 50%! 9 Hart Trophies doesn't hurt the Great One's resume either.
Dominik Hasek dominated goaltending in the 90s. Hasek won an amazing 6 Vezina Trophies. Only Glenn Hall has been voted the league's best goaltender more often with his 7 1st Team all star selections. (In those days, the Vezina was awarded like the Jennings is today) Even more impressive, Hasek won 2 Hart Trophies as MVP, no other goalie has ever done that. As well, Hasek finished in the top 3 in Hart voting on three other occasions.
There have been many other greats but, these 5 completely dominated and rose above everyone else during their era. They accomplished things that nobody had accomplished before and they cemented a legendary imprint on the National Hockey League.
Eddie Shore dominated the NHL in the late 20s and early 30s. From the defense position, he won 4 Hart Trophies! Yes, that is one more than Bobby Orr. If they gave out the Norris Trophy when Shore played, he would have captured 9 of them.
Gordie Howe won six scoring titles and twice won by more than 25% over his nearest competitor. He was a 21 time all star and 6 time MVP. Howe was more amazing than most people give him credit for and his legend was built not on longevity alone but being excellent for a long time.
Bobby Orr set an incredible standard for defensemen that may never be matched. He not only dominated the Norris trophy by winning it in 8 of his 9 NHL seasons but, he completely revolutionized the offensive defenseman. He is the only d man to ever win a scoring title and, he added 3 Hart Trophies and 2 Conn Smythes to his resume.
Wayne Gretzky was winning scoring titles by such a wide margin that his dominance will likely never be touched. Gretzky won the 1986-87 title by an amazing 69% and he won 4 other scoring titles by at least 50%! 9 Hart Trophies doesn't hurt the Great One's resume either.
Dominik Hasek dominated goaltending in the 90s. Hasek won an amazing 6 Vezina Trophies. Only Glenn Hall has been voted the league's best goaltender more often with his 7 1st Team all star selections. (In those days, the Vezina was awarded like the Jennings is today) Even more impressive, Hasek won 2 Hart Trophies as MVP, no other goalie has ever done that. As well, Hasek finished in the top 3 in Hart voting on three other occasions.
There have been many other greats but, these 5 completely dominated and rose above everyone else during their era. They accomplished things that nobody had accomplished before and they cemented a legendary imprint on the National Hockey League.
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