Who was the best player in the world between 2000 and the 2004-2005 lockout?

[Hockey Outsider]

Well, the Czech game was crucial.

For sure, it was a big game, but Lemieux couldn't have "carried the team through a rocky round robin" if he missed two of the three games.

From what I recall, there wasn't one player who stood out through the first five games. (I think the media consensus at the time would be Brodeur - Joseph was thrown under the bus for the entire team being disorganized against Sweden). But Sakic had the best game of his career in the gold medal game, and ended up leading the team in goals, points and plus/minus. He was the right call for MVP, even though a couple more points earlier in the tournament would have been good.

 

[Ben White]

Maybe that’s how Forsberg homers viewed things. Forsberg didn’t even have an argument for being the best forward in the league until about 2003, and everyone understood Jagr was always better, just stuck in a bad situation in WSH.

Back in 95 or 96, there were at least 5 forwards that would get taken before Forsberg, and 12 or so players total if we include goalies and D.

You mean when forsberg was a rookie or sophomore? Lol Where was Jagr ranked in his first two years in the league? Top 10? Top 15?

Just check the stats over the period. Forsberg only being 0.08 ppg behind Jagr while being a superior 2-way player and the better playoff performer.

 

[Sinistril]

People wanting to expand the time frame to include 95-2004 are being disingenuous. The reason this question is interesting is the time frame doesn't slant towards Jagr. The 2000-2004 Jagr, not including 1999-00 (which is how the question was formulated) was very much an enigma that gained a lot from his 90s reputation but didn't show it.

I think it's hard to pick Forsberg during this time period just due to games lost. Obviously, when not injured, he was the best of the bunch, but he was injured and we are supposed to take injuries into account from what I understand.

Lidstrom had the best career and an amazing amount of consistency, but was nowhere near the peak of the others in this group (with the exception of Brodeur who is the odd man out here imo).

It's also hard to distinguish between Sakic, Iginla, Naslund as they were all monsters in the same tier at the time. If I had to rank them, it'd be in that order as a 1a, 1b, 1c combo.

 

[norrisnick]

People wanting to expand the time frame to include 95-2004 are being disingenuous. The reason this question is interesting is the time frame doesn't slant towards Jagr. The 2000-2004 Jagr, not including 1999-00 (which is how the question was formulated) was very much an enigma that gained a lot from his 90s reputation but didn't show it.

I think it's hard to pick Forsberg during this time period just due to games lost. Obviously, when not injured, he was the best of the bunch, but he was injured and we are supposed to take injuries into account from what I understand.

Lidstrom had the best career and an amazing amount of consistency, but was nowhere near the peak of the others in this group (with the exception of Brodeur who is the odd man out here imo).

It's also hard to distinguish between Sakic, Iginla, Naslund as they were all monsters in the same tier at the time. If I had to rank them, it'd be in that order as a 1a, 1b, 1c combo.

Simply not true.

 

[Sinistril]

Simply not true.

Ok. My opinion is it is true, and may be due to it being peak clutch and grab era. A forward that could put up 50 goals and 100+ points in the era when most defense was being played by grabbing hold and hanging on was a rarity. Most people saying Lidstrom now wouldn't have said Lidstrom then because they don't have the benefit of the eye test. His lack of Lindsay's and almost non existent hart votes speak to that. It's pretty telling that 39 year old AlMac (in his last season) got more Hart votes/nearly took the Norris in maybe the best season Lidstrom put up in this 4 year period.

 

[Boreal01]

Forsberg had the greatest peak during this time period but I'll go with Iginla

 

[psycat]

Mario/Forsberg best but Lidström most successful, Jagr is up there aswell.

 

[norrisnick]

Ok. My opinion is it is true, and may be due to it being peak clutch and grab era. A forward that could put up 50 goals and 100+ points in the era when most defense was being played by grabbing hold and hanging on was a rarity. Most people saying Lidstrom now wouldn't have said Lidstrom then because they don't have the benefit of the eye test. His lack of Lindsay's and almost non existent hart votes speak to that. It's pretty telling that 39 year old AlMac (in his last season) got more Hart votes/nearly took the Norris in maybe the best season Lidstrom put up in this 4 year period.

I said Lidstrom then. He was the best defensive player in an era defined by overwhelming defensive play.

 

[Voight]

Sakic.

 

[Wings4Life]

At the time, Jagr was considered the best.

Looking back though, Lidstrom probably did the most on-ice during this time to earn the title, but it's close.

 

[GoldenKnight]

Huge Jagr fan but there is a reason people were so surprised at post lockout Jagr.

Nobody was surprised except Washington fans.

 

[Ben White]

At the time, Jagr was considered the best.

Looking back though, Lidstrom probably did the most on-ice during this time to earn the title, but it's close.

Wrong. Forsberg was considered the best from his playoff comeback in 2002 to his mid season injury in Philly in 2006. Lidstrom was considered the best dman but not the best player.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Wrong. Forsberg was considered the best from his playoff comeback in 2002 to his mid season injury in Philly in 2006. Lidstrom was considered the best dman but not the best player.

Wrong again