GreatGonzo
Surrounded by Snowflakes
Ya the “it” factor being a better supporting cast.OV simply does not have the "it" factor that other players in the Top 20 have. It is a very limited group that has Top 20 all-time talent and the competitiveness to do whatever is needed to win. OV is an all-time great at what he does but he is limited to what he does.
Sure, Crosby has that extra gear for the playoffs, but let’s not kid ourselves and say that Ovi doesn’t. He just never had guys like Malkin and Kessel to help him. Same goes with Lemieux and Gretzky, who had numerous talent around them.
One player doesn’t win a cup, no matter how great. Great teams win stanley cups, and as many presidents trophies as Ovi has been a part of, he has still been the best player in the post season for the Caps.
Your comparisons are very strange. Just because Lemieux wasn’t surrounded with HOF talent doesn’t mean he didn’t have a great supporting cast.Howe had Delvecchio and Lindsey flanking him for the majority of his prime.
Lemieux had... Stevens, Coffey for some seasons and Jagr afterwards.
He played with guys like Mullen and Tocchet as well. Any team where your second line with Francis and Jagr on the 2nd line is going to be a great team.