Of course that's subjective and the definition is arguable. Can you have more than 1 player per generation be generational? ....... McDavid and Crosby are generational. Makar has a chance. Bedard sure looks to be.... Kane, OV, Malkin would be franchise altering IMO. Just off the top of my pickled mind.

You?
- Mr Ricochet

I believe generational means best of the generation. So with that I don’t think in the history of the NHL there have been more than a ten. I’ll leave pre war days alone as I have no real idea. But that said I’d go with Howe, Richard, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux, Lidstrom. Not sure I’d go with Crosby or Ovechkin as they’ve taken turns being the best during their “generation” and even Kane was better in some years. McDavid may be the next generational talent but Matthews or possibly Berard may have something to say about that.

I believe generational means best of the generation. So with that I don’t think in the history of the NHL there have been more than a ten. I’ll leave pre war days alone as I have no real idea. But that said I’d go with Howe, Richard, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux, Lidstrom. Not sure I’d go with Crosby or Ovechkin as they’ve taken turns being the best during their “generation” and even Kane was better in some years. McDavid may be the next generational talent but Matthews or possibly Berard may have something to say about that.
- paulr

Meant to add, I think there can be some overlap as in the case of Howe, Richard or Gretzky and Lemieux but overall I think generational means undisputed best of the generation. The Crosbys, Ovechkins, Kanes etc I’d classify as franchise.

Maybe Davidson can swap Khudobin for Stalock and see if he can help with the tank...

I believe generational means best of the generation. So with that I don’t think in the history of the NHL there have been more than a ten. I’ll leave pre war days alone as I have no real idea. But that said I’d go with Howe, Richard, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux, Lidstrom. Not sure I’d go with Crosby or Ovechkin as they’ve taken turns being the best during their “generation” and even Kane was better in some years. McDavid may be the next generational talent but Matthews or possibly Berard may have something to say about that.
- paulr

That’s a pretty good list. I’d say you could make a strong argument for Crosby over Ovechkin, and for me, McDavid is head and shoulders above anyone else in his generation.

That’s a pretty good list. I’d say you could make a strong argument for Crosby over Ovechkin, and for me, McDavid is head and shoulders above anyone else in his generation.
- Chief4Feathers

It’s subjective for sure and I’m not sure there’s any real definition but what made me think about it was a Leaf journalist saying the Leafs have three generational talents, which made me think why even call them generational if there are multiple ones on a team, let alone the league.

That’s a pretty good list. I’d say you could make a strong argument for Crosby over Ovechkin, and for me, McDavid is head and shoulders above anyone else in his generation.
- Chief4Feathers

I agree McDavid is incredible, unfortunately for him a lot of his team sucks.

Maybe Davidson can swap Khudobin for Stalock and see if he can help with the tank...
- busmaster

Maybe, but it really wouldn't surprise me if he had similar success if the Blackhawks continued to play the way they have been playing.

Both Stalock and Mrazek were washed up goalies? Right? They both have a save % over 900 since the trade deadline, i think it has a little more to do with how the team is playing in front of the goalie.

It’s subjective for sure and I’m not sure there’s any real definition but what made me think about it was a Leaf journalist saying the Leafs have three generational talents, which made me think why even call them generational if there are multiple ones on a team, let alone the league.
- paulr

I don't think the Hawks had any generational players during the 3 cup run but had franchise altering players in Kane, Toews, Hossa and probably even Keith.

I just sit here and think how much does a player like Laine and Gaudreau help your team? What a waste of money and they are stuck with them for years.

I believe generational means best of the generation. So with that I don’t think in the history of the NHL there have been more than a ten. I’ll leave pre war days alone as I have no real idea. But that said I’d go with Howe, Richard, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux, Lidstrom. Not sure I’d go with Crosby or Ovechkin as they’ve taken turns being the best during their “generation” and even Kane was better in some years. McDavid may be the next generational talent but Matthews or possibly Berard may have something to say about that.
- paulr

That's what I mean, generational means different things to different people but I guess by pure definition generational means 1 per generation.... Same as the argument being can a player be truly great and never win a championship?

I say yes. Marino was a great QB, Banks was a great shortstop and they were never champs. ..... Does being extraordinary stop you from being generational if you're stuck being born the same generation as McDavid if he is indeed generational?

OV IMO was/is a great goal scorer but gimme Crosby as he is a great hockey player, probably generational IMO. Not only his skill but his will that gives him an it factor to go along with his supreme skill. His will sends him to practice early and to stay late, to watch endless film, to seek out winners' thoughts and drags his teammates along with him. He's obsessed ....... A Michael Jordan type will. I put my favorite player ever, Peter Forsberg, in that category. Messier too?

Your list is definitely good though.

This article sums up my position

https://www.bleachernatio...set-theyre-winning-games/
- LAHawk

Thanks for posting, LA. ..... A fair bit of reasoning but my point is if you're last in points you are assured a top 3 pick. That's my goal with Bedard being my hope. IMO Fantilli and Michkov are possibly franchise altering and they are consolation prizes if you don't get a possible generational player in Bedard. As mentioned Carlsson might just be a Toews like warrior 1C.

That's what the article/writer does not address.

4:00 to go in ANA, tied at 4!!!! A 3 point game with CLB getting 2 points would be wonderful.

I agree McDavid is incredible, unfortunately for him a lot of his team sucks.
- BetweenTheDots

McDavid has the greatest quick twitch body/feet/hands/muscles of any hockey player I've ever seen. Probably the greatest acceleration in his feet too. ..... A true freak by any measure.

7-4 final, Ducks. Two mt netters

I just sit here and think how much does a player like Laine and Gaudreau help your team? What a waste of money and they are stuck with them for years.
- BetweenTheDots

I'm not a Laine guy but don't forget 3rd overall Kent Johnson and Sillinger too. Good chance they add a top 3 pick from the 2023 draft too, maybe Bedard. .... 6th overall Dman Jiricek in the pipeline and 2 1st rd picks this yr.

And I'm still a fan of their Finn GM.

Wyatt Kaiser will wear Patrick Poulin’s #44.
- DarthKane

#legacy

I'm not a Laine guy but don't forget 3rd overall Kent Johnson and Sillinger too. Good chance they add a top 3 pick from the 2023 draft too, maybe Bedard. .... 6th overall Dman Jiricek in the pipeline and 2 1st rd picks this yr.

And I'm still a fan of their Finn GM.
- Mr Ricochet

Doesn’t matter who you have , if your goalie can’t make a save at the right time. CBJ goalies have been horrible this year.

It is fools gold thinking that drafting one player even if generational is going to automatically change the trajectory of your team.
- LAHawk

So you think getting a player like bedard would be the same as getting some guy at say 7? Of course there are no guarantees but what would the hawks have looked like if they didnt have kane?

That’s a pretty good list. I’d say you could make a strong argument for Crosby over Ovechkin, and for me, McDavid is head and shoulders above anyone else in his generation.
- Chief4Feathers

Gretzky is the best i have seen

That's what I mean, generational means different things to different people but I guess by pure definition generational means 1 per generation.... Same as the argument being can a player be truly great and never win a championship?

I say yes. Marino was a great QB, Banks was a great shortstop and they were never champs. ..... Does being extraordinary stop you from being generational if you're stuck being born the same generation as McDavid if he is indeed generational?

OV IMO was/is a great goal scorer but gimme Crosby as he is a great hockey player, probably generational IMO. Not only his skill but his will that gives him an it factor to go along with his supreme skill. His will sends him to practice early and to stay late, to watch endless film, to seek out winners' thoughts and drags his teammates along with him. He's obsessed ....... A Michael Jordan type will. I put my favorite player ever, Peter Forsberg, in that category. Messier too?

Your list is definitely good though.
- Mr Ricochet

Forsberg? Dont think so.

Thanks Wiz, i have to say, considering the draft picks they picked last year are excelling this year in their respected leagues, you believing this years draft is deeper than many others and we might have 6 picks this year in the top 64, KDs ability to find second hand talent around the league just makes me so very optimistic about the Blackhawks future. FFS he has a $48 million dollar roster competing with playoff teams. Love his decision on hiring LR to me all arrows are pointing up for this franchise, to me its not if but when...
- BetweenTheDots

You've heard of coaches who can go from point A to point B, but never reach point C. Still a long way to go everywhere including KD. He's only proven he can get draft choices and spot low end talent.

Forsberg? Dont think so.
- LFS

You want to win scoring titles, then you take Gretzky, you want cups, you take Forsberg or Messier. JMHO

I'm not a Laine guy but don't forget 3rd overall Kent Johnson and Sillinger too. Good chance they add a top 3 pick from the 2023 draft too, maybe Bedard. .... 6th overall Dman Jiricek in the pipeline and 2 1st rd picks this yr.

And I'm still a fan of their Finn GM.
- Mr Ricochet

Silinger 3 goals and 7 assists in 62 games (and a minus 20). Snapped a 45 game goalless streak last night. But he still could turn out to be very good. Still only 19 years old.

Gretzky is the best i have seen
- LFS

#99 brought unbelievable scoring ability, smarts and passion for the game. And playing with the Oilers he had an incredibly great backup band playing with him.

But, IMO the most skilled and talented player far and away after the Bobby Orr era was #66 Mario. Size, length, skill and the ability to control the game every shift he was on the ice. But it took Gretzky to push him to a higher level competitively.

Then, retires for 3 seasons with back problems and a Hodgkins diagnosis and then decides to come back at age 35 and posts a ho hum 35 goals/41 assists in 43 games. in the clutch and grab football tactics era of the NHL (Not knocking him, but I wonder how McDavid would have done playing in that goon hockey era).

And how about that very nice season he had in his last year of junior hockey - 133 goals/282 points in 70 games.

I nominate Mario as 1 or 2 best of all time.

#99 brought unbelievable scoring ability, smarts and passion for the game. And playing with the Oilers he had an incredibly great backup band playing with him.

But, IMO the most skilled and talented player far and away after the Bobby Orr era was #66 Mario. Size, length, skill and the ability to control the game every shift he was on the ice. But it took Gretzky to push him to a higher level competitively.

Then, retires for 3 seasons with back problems and a Hodgkins diagnosis and then decides to come back at age 35 and posts a ho hum 35 goals/41 assists in 43 games. in the clutch and grab football tactics era of the NHL (Not knocking him, but I wonder how McDavid would have done playing in that goon hockey era).

And how about that very nice season he had in his last year of junior hockey - 133 goals/282 points in 70 games.

I nominate Mario as 1 or 2 best of all time.
- RickJ

I always go with Orr, with Lemieux a close second. No one has done what Orr did, a defenseman winning scoring titles. Orr could play any style, finesse, speed, physical, he was good defensively and fought if needed. One thing I love that is all but gone in todays over the top goal celebrations is he acted like he scored before and unless it was a big goal didn’t even raise his arms. He just skated back to his end and waited for the face off. And the crazy thing was he basically did it on one leg throughout his career.

I just sit here and think how much does a player like Laine and Gaudreau help your team? What a waste of money and they are stuck with them for years.
- BetweenTheDots

and Bedard gets there, they bring up more of their strong frame and kids here already mature.

I think maybe the both either click with the infusion or get traded for the delusion their GM Jarmo Kekalainen thought they were the "elevators."

I think Bedard becomes the best player Columbus has.

I looked at the teams closing in on the bottoms draft slots, and none of these won't play in the NHL.

I simply hate for the Red Wings, Montreal, or St. Louis getting the first overall.