STL fan in MN
Registered User
- Aug 16, 2007
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Who is the best player you saw live?
- Thread starter Jack Spider
- Start date
McDavid, without question, and I saw Gretzky in his prime.
Bonus response: best junior player I saw live was Morgan Rielly.
Bonus response: best junior player I saw live was Morgan Rielly.
WiHockeyGuy
Registered User
I have seen some fantastic players from my AHL viewing. Namely Filip Forsberg, Pekka Rinne, Ryan Miller, the list goes on.
But I will be entirely honest: the player who impressed me the most that I've seen live was Ville Leino. I get it that it was in the AHL but he was so much better than everyone else on the ice it was insane. His puck possession and stick handling was absurd, he could just toy with defenders. Crazy skill.
The single hardest shot I have ever seen live came courtesy of Cody Franson, just as another useless tidbit.
But I will be entirely honest: the player who impressed me the most that I've seen live was Ville Leino. I get it that it was in the AHL but he was so much better than everyone else on the ice it was insane. His puck possession and stick handling was absurd, he could just toy with defenders. Crazy skill.
The single hardest shot I have ever seen live came courtesy of Cody Franson, just as another useless tidbit.
Fig
Absolute Horse Shirt
- Dec 15, 2014
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IMO, it's a little different in terms of best players who were just so happening to be playing at a game I was at vs watching a game where that best player was really on their game and special. A dozen ish games or so for me over the last decade+, someone cool would almost always be playing. But witnessing their magic/intangibles that you don't typically see or understand through the screen, I think that's the point, right?
Like, I've watched Flames players like Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Giordano, Bennett, Monahan etc. at their best due to the live games. I've seen Vancouver and Edmonton players at their best (and worst) but I'd say I've at least seen one of their dominant games at least once, so IMO that counts. I also started telling myself and teaching myself not to disregard generational talents when seeing them up close (ie: What I was sorta taught and learned in the 90s because rivalries). Enjoy talent when you get to see it up close. I've seen Jagr in Flames silks and that guy showed flashes of why he was an all time great, even though he wasn't in his prime, so I think that counts.
I've seen guys like McDavid, Hall, Draisaitl, Pettersen, Boeser, Hughes, Horvat, Landy, Mack, Makar, Crosby, Malkin, Pavelski, Hedman etc. show why they're special but I've also seen other guys like Ovi, Doughty, Kopitar, Thornton, Stamkos etc. look completely invisible/pedestrian due to an off night, maybe injury or illness or whatever, so I didn't get to see their magic.
If I didn't get a chance to see a glimpse of their magic, I dunno if I'd consider that truly watching these best players live (at least not in the appropriate context) if I didn't get to see what makes then so special. It's not a good representation of them.
Goalies are their own interesting group as well. I often love watching their funny habits at TV time out, warm up etc. you don't typically see on TV. Very neat.
Warmup is also a neat experience too that typically isn't on TV.
Like, I've watched Flames players like Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Giordano, Bennett, Monahan etc. at their best due to the live games. I've seen Vancouver and Edmonton players at their best (and worst) but I'd say I've at least seen one of their dominant games at least once, so IMO that counts. I also started telling myself and teaching myself not to disregard generational talents when seeing them up close (ie: What I was sorta taught and learned in the 90s because rivalries). Enjoy talent when you get to see it up close. I've seen Jagr in Flames silks and that guy showed flashes of why he was an all time great, even though he wasn't in his prime, so I think that counts.
I've seen guys like McDavid, Hall, Draisaitl, Pettersen, Boeser, Hughes, Horvat, Landy, Mack, Makar, Crosby, Malkin, Pavelski, Hedman etc. show why they're special but I've also seen other guys like Ovi, Doughty, Kopitar, Thornton, Stamkos etc. look completely invisible/pedestrian due to an off night, maybe injury or illness or whatever, so I didn't get to see their magic.
If I didn't get a chance to see a glimpse of their magic, I dunno if I'd consider that truly watching these best players live (at least not in the appropriate context) if I didn't get to see what makes then so special. It's not a good representation of them.
Goalies are their own interesting group as well. I often love watching their funny habits at TV time out, warm up etc. you don't typically see on TV. Very neat.
Warmup is also a neat experience too that typically isn't on TV.
This guy named Dwayne Jetski, in the mid 90's playing for the Blues. I think hes in the hall of fame
Maliks PlusMinus
Registered User
I never made it to North America yet, but when I was on holiday in Czech Republic I did get to see Ryan Hollweg live.
Believe it or not after Plzen won he then came out and played some rock songs to the adoring fans.
Believe it or not after Plzen won he then came out and played some rock songs to the adoring fans.
2010 Team Canada and Team USA rosters, Pavel Bure, Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Henrik Lundqvist, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Ray Bourque, Steve Yzerman, Sergei Federov, Niklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk.
I guess out of everyone on that list Sidney Crosby would be considered the best?
I guess out of everyone on that list Sidney Crosby would be considered the best?
Dirtyclapper
Registered User
obZen
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- Jul 1, 2019
- 171
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Hard to say really. I saw the US vs Canada nine years ago in an exhibition match match so that was the most concentrated talent I ever saw in person.
Outside of that game, these are the HOFers (or future HOFers) I've seen: Peter Forsberg, Sakic, Rob Blake, Ray Bourque, Selanne, Kariya, MacKinnon, Makar, Roy, Crosby, Letang, Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Auston Matthews, Marner, and a few others I'm probably forgetting.
So out of those I'd say Bourque, Roy, and Crosby are the best I've seen in person. It's cool to have seen a top five player at each position (FW, D, G)
I did get to see Gretzky coach once.
Outside of that game, these are the HOFers (or future HOFers) I've seen: Peter Forsberg, Sakic, Rob Blake, Ray Bourque, Selanne, Kariya, MacKinnon, Makar, Roy, Crosby, Letang, Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Auston Matthews, Marner, and a few others I'm probably forgetting.
So out of those I'd say Bourque, Roy, and Crosby are the best I've seen in person. It's cool to have seen a top five player at each position (FW, D, G)
I did get to see Gretzky coach once.
StoveTopStauffer
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- Apr 6, 2012
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If you think McDavid looks fast on a TV, you should see him live.
McDavid.
McDavid.
Went to the Penguins/Rangers game at MSG with my grandfather at the end of the 92-93 season. Pittsburgh won 10-4 and they looked like the Harlem Globetrotters on skates. Mario had five goals: three at ES and one each on the PP and short-handed. He was a magician and was playing a different sport than everyone else.
Still hate the Pens but I was seven when I saw that game live and had been playing for two years and thought it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I still remember some of the goals 30+ years later. That night I decided I was going to play in then NHL, which of course did not come close to happening.
Eric Lindros live in Hartford during the Legion of Doom era was also awesome, especially when Adam Burt knocked him off his feet along the boards. And of course, Ovi 2008-2010 was otherworldly.
Still hate the Pens but I was seven when I saw that game live and had been playing for two years and thought it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I still remember some of the goals 30+ years later. That night I decided I was going to play in then NHL, which of course did not come close to happening.
Eric Lindros live in Hartford during the Legion of Doom era was also awesome, especially when Adam Burt knocked him off his feet along the boards. And of course, Ovi 2008-2010 was otherworldly.
The Zetterberg Era
Ball Hockey Sucks
Gretzky, the whole go to where the puck is going thing really jumps out in person. Easily the smartest player I have ever seen and I got to watch all of Lidstrom’s games who I would probably put second in that category.
Then you have the freaks McDavid, young Lindros and Super Mario. As a Wings fan I will also say with my homer glasses on I thought Fedorov was in this group. I would still to this day pay to watch Fedorov skate. Like they don’t have to even play a game just have him come out and do laps, he had such a beautiful skating style.
Was blessed enough to grow up with season tickets in the family. So I have a big 80s, 90’s bent here. Did drive up to see McDavid play in Tampa, worth the trip a special and unique talent.
Then you have the freaks McDavid, young Lindros and Super Mario. As a Wings fan I will also say with my homer glasses on I thought Fedorov was in this group. I would still to this day pay to watch Fedorov skate. Like they don’t have to even play a game just have him come out and do laps, he had such a beautiful skating style.
Was blessed enough to grow up with season tickets in the family. So I have a big 80s, 90’s bent here. Did drive up to see McDavid play in Tampa, worth the trip a special and unique talent.
KeyserSoze81
Registered User
Hasek. I was at this game:
There was nothing like the sense of calm I had whenever the Sabres scored 2 goals in regulation. At worst, I could usually count on that game going to OT.
I grew up watching the clutch-and-grab hockey of the late 90s. I always assumed I would like the game more if it opened up more, but damn if I don't miss the weight, the absolute importance of every goal, every save.
There was nothing like the sense of calm I had whenever the Sabres scored 2 goals in regulation. At worst, I could usually count on that game going to OT.
I grew up watching the clutch-and-grab hockey of the late 90s. I always assumed I would like the game more if it opened up more, but damn if I don't miss the weight, the absolute importance of every goal, every save.
Mario Lemieux, in the late 80s at Maple Leaf Gardens. I was in the reds behind the net. He was coming towards my end, 1 on 1 with a defenseman, put it through his legs, went past the D like he was standing still, and roofed it top corner.
I also saw McDavid in the OHL and the NHL, Crosby in the NHL.
I also saw McDavid in the OHL and the NHL, Crosby in the NHL.
Do or Die
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- Jun 28, 2011
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Raccoon Jesus
Jim Hiller is point shaving games
Gretzky, bar none, and that includes vs. McDavid...it was insanely impressive watching a guy with slight stature and just-above-average skating be nigh-untouchable and make passes no one else saw, even at sky view. Absolute magic.
McDavid is jaw dropping in a different way, so fast, so skilled, the most impressive physical display of talent, more so than Gretzky--but Wayne's brain was just on a completely different level than anyone.
HM to Bure, it was like watching McDavid if he wanted to shoot more, and in that era even more so than now he did it with one-two guys waterskiing him thru the neutral zone with another looking to headhunt him at the blueline.
McDavid is jaw dropping in a different way, so fast, so skilled, the most impressive physical display of talent, more so than Gretzky--but Wayne's brain was just on a completely different level than anyone.
HM to Bure, it was like watching McDavid if he wanted to shoot more, and in that era even more so than now he did it with one-two guys waterskiing him thru the neutral zone with another looking to headhunt him at the blueline.
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