Talent wise I’d argue that point but Seabrook was far more valuable to his team than any of those players were.
- paulr

Karlsson has to have been elite - he won multiple Norris trophies.

Then you only consider two or three defensemen and maybe six forwards to be elite?

I look at generational to be best of their generation. So since the 70s the only generational talents were Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux and Lidstrom. But there were a number of elite players including the aforementioned plus Ovechkin, Crosby, Kane, Keith Doughty, Hedman etc.
- paulr

A pretty good team that won 19 consecutive best of 7 series is not even mentioned? Players like Potvin, Bossy, Trottier. Maybe not generational but definitely elite as individuals and as the glue of a generational team. It took everything the Oilers had to finally knock them off. I consider the Isles among the greatest 3 or 4 NHL teams of all time.

A pretty good team that won 19 consecutive best of 7 series is not even mentioned? Players like Potvin, Bossy, Trottier. Maybe not generational but definitely elite as individuals and as the glue of a generational team. It took everything the Oilers had to finally knock them off. I consider the Isles among the greatest 3 or 4 NHL teams of all time.
- RickJ

I agree 100% but I was trying to make a point not list all elite players. But along with the players you list I could add Messier, Yzerman, Sakic, Lafleur and I’m still missing lots. Funny but you know one team who has never had an elite player …..

that's fair....so I would consider both a "#1" defensemen and both are clear cut #1s but neither are truly elite defensemen like a Hedman.

WOuld you also agree that Martinez was the Kings version of Hammer?

i think that's the part Bowman needs to find next to supplement Jones with...he needs that defensive defensemen who is a 2b type....if it weren't for Seabrook, no question Hammer was the #2 and likely still was. Seabrook was just a better match for Keith's overall game.

hammer to me will be the most underrated Hawk during those cup runs....everyone will saw Bolland or Crawford, but to me....it was Hammer.
- SteveRain

Muezzin was LA’s version of Hammer, primarily Doughty’s partner during the Kings cups. Martinez was more an offensive defenseman at that time.

I agree 100% but I was trying to make a point not list all elite players. But along with the players you list I could add Messier, Yzerman, Sakic, Lafleur and I’m still missing lots. Funny but you know one team who has never had an elite player …..
- paulr

I'd probably put Paul Coffey on the list.

And the Leafs definitely have had one - Dave Keon. Thats it tho.

I'd probably put Paul Coffey on the list.

And the Leafs definitely have had one - Dave Keon. Thats it tho.
- RickJ

I was a little too young. I really do not remember him. My Dad used to rave about him but I figured it was just a Leaf fan being a Leaf fan.

I did get in a fight with Dave Keon Jr. in a Beer League game.

I'd probably put Paul Coffey on the list.

And the Leafs definitely have had one - Dave Keon. Thats it tho.
- RickJ

Daryl Sittler

The Jackets have signed 11th overall pick Cole Sillinger to an ELC today.
- Theo Fox

Still no signs of Stan signing any if his draft picks. #ASF

Daryl Sittler
- rpeters01

Oh I hate to admit but yeah. Add Borje Salming to that list. Hammer always reminded me of Salming. Both took an absolute poop kicking and were ready to go the next where they’d play just as hard.

Still no signs of Stan signing any if his draft picks. #ASF
- DarthKane

Think it’s a Fax machine issue or he’s napping?

Still no signs of Stan signing any if his draft picks. #ASF
- DarthKane

Many teams have even started to sign 2021 draft picks from later rounds to ELCs. Mostly 2nd rounders but I've seen a few 3rd rounders, too.

A part of that could be due to the uncertainty and volatility of draft rankings this year as COVID cut league schedules short or completely canceled seasons, thus, scouting departments had incomplete evidence to make optimal decisions on prospects.

You can say this about any draft year but 2021 may be an exacerbated situation where several prospects taken in the 1st round may not necessarily have been selected so early if all things were equal with prior years as far as amount of evidence to work with.

The converse is also true that many players taken in later rounds may have been 1st rounders, again, if all things were equal with prior draft years.

Daryl Sittler
- rpeters01

Sittler was a very good player but definitely not in Keon's bracket. In the primes of their careers, Toews and Keon very similar players.

No Keon no Cups for the Leafs in the 60's.

Sittler was a very good player but definitely not in Keon's bracket. In the primes of their careers, Toews and Keon very similar players.

No Keon no Cups for the Leafs in the 60's.
- RickJ

Didn't Keon play against Mikita many shifts when the two teams played?

I just checked to see if my memory was correct and Mahovlich did play for them before Detroit. I knew it was either Toronto or Montreal. Trading him was a mistake and Gary Unger was a big scorer in the 70's he must have been a young throw in?

How many Stanley Cup champions since 2010 have not had an elite, clear-cut #1 defenseman?
- mohel

All 3 of our Cups

All 3 of our Cups
- Assman22

Also without a #1C or #1G

Also without a #1C or #1G
- DarthKane

Also without a competent Head Coach!

Also without a competent Head Coach!
- powerenforcer

And obviously without a competent GM.
#ASF

You all can take your elite players(by what I’m reading here it means put up lots of points)and I’ll take Toews, Bergeron, Datsyuk, Seabrook, Trottier, and Hossa and whip you every time.

And obviously without a competent GM.
#ASF
- Angotti

They did have a great bottom six!

Ek reporting (rumoring ?) Carolina's Svechnikov to be signing for around 70M for 8 years. That's close to 9M AAV. I'm sure Debrincat's agent likes that.

Daryl Sittler
- rpeters01

I put Pilote and Stapleton on the list.

I put Pilote and Stapleton on the list.
- spanky

Stapleton and White would play about 1:45 of every 2:00 penalty during the playoffs.

I'd probably put Paul Coffey on the list.

And the Leafs definitely have had one - Dave Keon. Thats it tho.
- RickJ

i would as well.....hard to judge goalies...is it the system (brodeur) or the player.

You all can take your elite players(by what I’m reading here it means put up lots of points)and I’ll take Toews, Bergeron, Datsyuk, Seabrook, Trottier, and Hossa and whip you every time.
- Angotti

you may but it's the elite players who still produce against the opposing team's best who allow the glue guys to win their battles further down the lineup.

Teams who win cups have a great combination of both.

You all can take your elite players(by what I’m reading here it means put up lots of points)and I’ll take Toews, Bergeron, Datsyuk, Seabrook, Trottier, and Hossa and whip you every time.
- Angotti

If he is available on waivers I suggest you put in a claim for Sidney Crosby.