Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Great Debates SIP
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
PASSION PATROL
with ken campbell @thnkencampbell LOOKING FOR A good debate? You’ve come to the right place. In the previous pages we’ve discussed everything from whether Dustin Byfuglien should play forward or defense to the best name in hockey between Steve Mc-Grinder and John Vigilante (a guy who’s most vigilante season was just 50 penalty minutes, by the way). We’ve talked until we’re blue in the face, or at least in the fingertips. And it’s all good. Perhaps the most enjoyable thing about hockey, aside from the game itself, is the treasure trove of debates that come with it. Does Paul Henderson belong in the Hall of Fame? (In my opinion, no. Unless you want to induct Jim Craig and Mike Eruzione along with him.) Should fighting be banned in the NHL? (Of course…
BETTER SHOOTER
HULL VS. MACINNIS There is no disputing the sheer force of Al MacInnis’ slapshot. Remember that blast that caused Los Angeles Kings goaltender Kelly Hrudey to duck and the glass to explode behind him? Brett Hull couldn’t do that sort of property damage. But ‘The Golden Brett’ developed the deadlier shot, a unique weapon that allowed him to score 741 times in the NHL without great speed or breakaway moves. His game evolved quickly after he came to St. Louis from Calgary in 1988. Initially Hull chugged up and down the wing looking to unleash his big slapshot. On the power play he seemed best suited to play the point, like MacInnis, and hammer away. Then something happened. His slapshot became a snap shot, compact and lightning quick. He needed less and less space…
BETTER PLAYER
GILMOUR VS. SUNDIN It is difficult, when you are trying to choose between two amazing athletes, to not make the one you don’t choose sound vastly inferior. Frankly, I’d take Mary Ann over Ginger any day of the week, but if push came to shove and I had to settle for Ginger, that’s not too shabby. Same can be said for Doug Gilmour versus Mats Sundin. There is so much to like about the 6-foot-5, 231-pound Sundin, who scored 564 goals and 1,349 points in 1,346 games, and yet I’d take the 5-foot-11, 177-pound Gilmour over the big Swede in a heartbeat. In 1992-93 – his best NHL season when he scored 32 goals and 127 points to finish in a tie for seventh in league scoring – Gilmour nearly pulled off the seemingly…
BETTER PLAYER
GABORIK VS. KOIVU Sure, his tenure in a Wild jersey was bumpy at times, with two memorable contract disputes, including one coupled with a wonky, undependable groin and hip that ultimately led to his departure. But the reality is in the history of the Wild there hasn’t been a more electrifying player than Marian Gaborik. Look no further than the Dec. 20, 2007, game tape of Gaborik lighting up the Rangers for five goals. Never has Xcel Energy Center been as loud for a regular season game. Gaborik’s 219 goals in 502 games rank first by a good distance in Wild history. And while Mikko Koivu is the alltime leader with 556 points, Koivu has 261 more Wild games than Gaborik. Gaborik is Minnesota’s alltime single-season leader with 42 goals and 83 points.…
Made possible with the support of
