Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,148
Okay Gretzky was obviously the better player in the '80s. No one would deny that without getting laughed out of the room. But what about from '90 to Gretzky's retirement in '99? Who was better in that decade?
I feel both players see-saw in the 90's season after season as to who was better. So its close.
'89-90:
Gretzky: 142 points leads NHL.
Messier: 129 points 2nd in NHL. Hart Trophy, Cup, first team all-star
Edge: Messier
'90-91:
Gretzky: 163 points, first team all-star, leads NHL in points by 42.
Messier: plays just over half the season, non-factor
Edge: Gretzky
'91-92:
Gretzky: 121 points third in NHL
Messier: 107 points 6th in NHL. Hart Trophy.
Edge: Messier
'92-93:
Gretzky: Hurt half of year comes back and leads Kings in playoffs. 40 playoff points
Messier: Off year, Rangers dont even make playoffs
Edge: Gretzky
'93-94:
Gretzky: Leads NHL in points with 130.
Messier: 87 points, leads Rangers to Cup, huge playoff year
Edge: Even
'94-95:
Gretzky: worst year of his career "only" a point per game, no playoffs
Messier: Out points Gretzky and had decent playoff
Edge: Messier
'95-96
Gretzky: 102 points, well down the list.
Messier: 99 points and Hart runner up.
Edge: Messier
'96-97:
Gretzky: 97 points good for 5th overall. Amazing playoffs.
Messier: 84 points, the last year he has that doesnt make you ill.
Edge: Gretzky
'97-98:
Gretzky: 90 points, 4th in scoring. 2nd team all-star for second year in a row
Messier: Why did he leave NYR? Why again?
Edge: Gretzky
'98-99:
Gretzky: his last year, injury riddled, but was still 6th in assists
Messier: That Vancouver move looks worse and worse, even the NYI have more points
Edge: Gretzky
My total by my count is Gretzky with an edge in better seasons with a 5-4-1 record. That doesnt mean much so I'll let everyone else hash it out
I feel both players see-saw in the 90's season after season as to who was better. So its close.
'89-90:
Gretzky: 142 points leads NHL.
Messier: 129 points 2nd in NHL. Hart Trophy, Cup, first team all-star
Edge: Messier
'90-91:
Gretzky: 163 points, first team all-star, leads NHL in points by 42.
Messier: plays just over half the season, non-factor
Edge: Gretzky
'91-92:
Gretzky: 121 points third in NHL
Messier: 107 points 6th in NHL. Hart Trophy.
Edge: Messier
'92-93:
Gretzky: Hurt half of year comes back and leads Kings in playoffs. 40 playoff points
Messier: Off year, Rangers dont even make playoffs
Edge: Gretzky
'93-94:
Gretzky: Leads NHL in points with 130.
Messier: 87 points, leads Rangers to Cup, huge playoff year
Edge: Even
'94-95:
Gretzky: worst year of his career "only" a point per game, no playoffs
Messier: Out points Gretzky and had decent playoff
Edge: Messier
'95-96
Gretzky: 102 points, well down the list.
Messier: 99 points and Hart runner up.
Edge: Messier
'96-97:
Gretzky: 97 points good for 5th overall. Amazing playoffs.
Messier: 84 points, the last year he has that doesnt make you ill.
Edge: Gretzky
'97-98:
Gretzky: 90 points, 4th in scoring. 2nd team all-star for second year in a row
Messier: Why did he leave NYR? Why again?
Edge: Gretzky
'98-99:
Gretzky: his last year, injury riddled, but was still 6th in assists
Messier: That Vancouver move looks worse and worse, even the NYI have more points
Edge: Gretzky
My total by my count is Gretzky with an edge in better seasons with a 5-4-1 record. That doesnt mean much so I'll let everyone else hash it out