Category Archives: Hockey

H2H 99: Jarome Iginla vs. Brendan Shanahan – Who was Better?

With his selection to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020, Jarome Iginla represents perhaps the last of a dying breed of hockey player: the quintessential power forward (think Gordie Howe, Mark Messier, Cam Neely, Phil Esposito, or Eric Lindros).  In fact, with both his physical style of play plus his knack for putting points on the board (career totals of 600+ goals and 1,300+ points), Iginla’s game in many ways resembles that of another great power forward from an earlier generation in Brendan Shanahan.  Both were not only consistent point-per-game producers for two decades each, but were also not afraid to drop their gloves if necessary – see this fight between the pair from 2001.  Thus, with Iginla rightfully joining Shanahan in the Hall of Fame, let us compare these two skilled physical forces and ask:

Who was better – Jarome Iginla or Brendan Shanahan?

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Countdown 68: Top 10 NHL Players of the 1970s

Who are the top NHL players of the 1970s?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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Countdown 64: Top 10 NHL Players of the 1980s

Who are the top NHL players of the 1980s?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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H2H 94: Jeremy Roenick vs. Keith Tkachuk – Who was Better?

One of hockey’s magical milestones is the 500-goal club and as of the end of the 2019-2020 season, there were a total of five American players in that elite company: Brett Hull (dual Canadian/American citizenship), Joe Mullen, Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick, and Keith Tkachuk.  While the first three members of this fraternity are Hall of Famers, Roenick and Tkachuk remain on the outside looking in despite 500+ career goals and 1,000+ career points apiece in the NHL.  During their long and productive NHL careers, both were not only among the best offensive players of the 1990s, but were also known for their tough, hard-nosed (dirty?) play; as teammates on the Phoenix Coyotes as well as on Team USA, in comparing these all-time American greats, let us ask the question:

Who was better – Jeremy Roenick or Keith Tkachuk?

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Countdown 61: Top 10 Boston Bruins of All Time

Who are the top Boston Bruins of all time?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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H2H 89: Pat LaFontaine vs. Mike Modano – Who was Better?

While the United States has always been a bit of a little brother to Canada when it comes to hockey talent, the Stars and Stripes have nevertheless produced a number of outstanding NHL players over the years.  Though Patrick Kane has likely assumed the unofficial mantle of best American-born player ever, two of the long-time contenders for the distinction were Pat LaFontaine and Mike Modano, both of whom came of age during one of Team USA’s golden eras in the 1980s alongside the likes of Brett Hull (born in Canada with dual citizenship), Brian Leetch, Jeremy Roenick, Keith Tkachuk, etc.  Between these two Hall of Famers, one holds the American record for highest per-game scoring average and the other is the all-time career leader in goals and points, thus raising the question:

Who was better – Pat LaFontaine or Mike Modano?

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Countdown 56: Top 10 NHL Players of the 1990s

Who are the top NHL players of the 1990s?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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H2H 84: Mike Bossy vs. Pavel Bure – Who was Better?

Like a supernova, the brightest stars do not always shine the longest – such was the case with Mike Bossy and Pavel Bure, two of the most lethal goal scorers the NHL has ever seen.  At their respective peaks, each winger could consistently net 50-60 goals a season, but injuries eventually took their toll and forced both of them to retire in their early 30s.  Despite the premature retirements, each player left an indelible mark on the game of hockey and is top-five all-time in terms of per-game scoring – with both legends taking their rightful place in the Hockey Hall of Fame, let us look back on their scintillating goal-scoring careers and ask the question:

Who was better – Mike Bossy or Pavel Bure?

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Countdown 50: Top 10 NHL Players of the 2000s

Who are the top NHL players of the 2000s?  Here is our top 10 countdown:

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H2H 79: Jean Beliveau vs. Stan Mikita – Who was Better?

During the Original Six era and well before the advent of free agency, NHL stars played their entire careers with one team and were thus able to carve out indelible legacies.  Two legendary players who fit this bill were Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens and Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks – each played for two decades plus and racked up well over 1,000 career points with numerous individual and team accolades.  As relative contemporaries who faced off on countless occasions during the 1960s and are among their respective teams’ all-time greatest players, thus the question:

Who was better – Jean Beliveau or Stan Mikita?

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