Greatest & Most Iconic American NHL Player Ever?

[User9992]

Who is the 'Greatest' & the 'Most Iconic' American NHL Player Ever?


Brett Hull, Mike Modano, Pat Lafontaine, Brian Leetch, Chris Chelios, Patrick Kane, Keith Tkachuk, Phil Housley, Jeremy Roenick, Joe Mullen, Neal Broten, John Leclair et al.

 

[Puck Dogg]

Voted Chelios but in a way I feel its Mike Eruzione.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Voted Chelios but in a way I feel its Mike Eruzione.

He didn't play in the NHL.

 

[ted2019]

Kane followed by Chelios.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Kane. Had the Star power, played in a big market, and won both individual and team awards.

 

[User9992]

Kane. Had the Star power, played in a big market, and won both individual and team awards.

Also, first American to win Hart, Ted Lindsay and Art Ross if I am not mistaken.

 

[Boreal01]

The "greatest" American player is Chelios but the most "iconic" or the one that I associate most with the U.S. is Kane followed by Modano

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Kane was a first overall pick, scored the Stanley cup OT winning goal to end the Blackhawks drought, 3 Stanley cups, and a hart trophy....I vote him.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

To me that’s Patrick Kane for sure. The guy just turns it on another level in big games. Incredible plays, highlight reel goals, clutch plays, he’s outstanding.

He also put up some huge numbers. I know that’s the same year Kucherov put up 128 points, Kane had a 110 point season that year, third behind Kucherov and McDavid who finished with 116.

He was also the first guy in 2 years to have a 100 point season in 2016, since Crosby previously did it in 2014.

 

[Spazkat]

eh the first thing I think of w/ Kane isn't "American Icon"..... its assaulting taxi drivers and other legal issues. Went w/ Chelios

 

[wetcoast]

Voted Chelios but in a way I feel its Mike Eruzione.

Voted Chelios as well but honestly no one instantly came to mind before I actually opened up the thread.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Greatest is probably still Chelios, but most iconic is Kane. Kane will probably be the greatest by the time he's done.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Leetch is my vote.

 

[ricky0034]

Chelios has as many or more individual/team accomplishments as any of these other guys and also spent almost a decade captaining all the American international teams(3 Olympics and the 2004 world cup)

 

[Bouboumaster]

eh the first thing I think of w/ Kane isn't "American Icon"..... its assaulting taxi drivers and other legal issues. Went w/ Chelios

Lol, Chelios f***ed the Habs President's wife

Kane is an angel compared to Chelios

I also voted Chelios

 

[Buck Naked]

Kane without a doubt.

 

[AgeIess]

Kane for sure.

 

[jetsforever]

Ignoring Brett Hull, probably Kane

 

[Ducks in a row]

Kane. Had the Star power, played in a big market, and won both individual and team awards.

Chris Chelios

A Star Defenseman who played for 26 years retiring in his late 40's. Played for 3 different original 6 teams.
Winning 3 Stanley Cups among 2 different teams (1 with Montreal and 2 with Detroit) and has 3 James Norris Memorial Trophies. Played in 4 Olympics for TEAM USA (3 as team Captain) winning a Silver Medal in 2002.

He should be ahead of Patrick Kane.

 

[bobholly39]

Also, first American to win Hart, Ted Lindsay and Art Ross if I am not mistaken.

And won an ESPY over peak 150 point pace McDavid, don't forget

 

[User9992]

And won an ESPY over peak 150 point pace McDavid, don't forget

ESPY awards are such joke. Should have been either McDavid or someone from Lightning. But definitely not Kane whom I personally rate very high.

 

[bobholly39]

ESPY awards are such joke. Should have been either McDavid or someone from Lightning. But definitely not Kane whom I personally rate very high.

For what it's worth I thought it was the most ridiculous thing in the world when I first heard about it - but they're saying now ESPY's are voted by fans. If that's true and it's just a popularity contest that Kane won, that's fine, and harmless. Because otherwise - it should have been McDavid (just him, no Lightning player).

On topic - I voted Brett Hull. Best and most iconic imo - i struggled a bit with iconic, since Brett Hull can technically pass as Canadian, but if you ignore that he'd be my answer.

 

[Albatros]

I can see very little iconic about Patrick Kane.

 

[theicebox]

Phil Kessel or GTFO.

 

[dalewood12]

When all is said and done, I think Kaner ends up as as the "greatest" American player, but not sure he'll go down as the most iconic.