Mark the Messiah Messier

[Guest TheDon]

Career is done. 7 Stanley Cups and an MVP award. Thanks for 1994 Messiah.

[kkktookmybabyaway]

Damn, I forgot he was still around...

[Guest Fishyswa]

I thought he was gonna play at least until he was 60....

[stahl]

He only won 6 cups.

[nl5xsk1]

At least Mess got to have the moment at MSG that he got last year at the end of the regular season ... where he got to thank the fans and have them thank him. If memory serves, it was vs Buffalo, but regardless of the team the players showed their respects by tapping the ice with their sticks.

 

Too many other retiring greats got their "moments" taken from them by the stupid lockout. People like MacInnis deserved the chance to skate on the ice in SL one more time before hanging up their skates.

[CanadianChris]

He was my favourite player. I think he was the last player left from when I started watching hockey in 1981, too.

[Youth N Asia]

I thought he was going to be the Terry Funk of the NHL

[CanadianGuitarist]

Phomenal grit, and one of history's best combinations of hands/grit. He really was a complete package on the ice.

 

And I didn't even mention he was the best leader in the history of sport.

[The Czech Republic]

And I didn't even mention he was the best leader in the history of sport.

He's certainly a top candidate, but if we brainstorm, we might find someone who can give him a run for that title.

[Annabelle]

the messiah? haha, never heard that before.

 

better leaders than messier? thats such a vague accolade, especially since we can't understand what a true nhl leader is without actually being a dressing room with any of the candidates. if i want someone to rally my troops around, as a spectator, i'd choose scott stevens over mark messier.

[The Czech Republic]

Steve Yzerman?

[Annabelle]

i was thinking him too

[Guest Vitamin X]

Joe Sakic?

[Fartsauce]

I'm torn in the argument over Yzerman and Messier. Messier had his glory years for my favourite team while Yzerman is my favourite player ever. I'll call it a tie.

[nl5xsk1]

Having never been in any of the locker rooms, I'd have a hard time saying who's the best behind closed doors ... but I'd put Messier, Stevens & Bourque as the top 3 in my adult lifetime. Yzerman would get the honorable mention. Sakic's close, but has had too many other superstars to assist him during his run as Captain.

 

Question for people in Western Canada ... is Pronger going to wear an A on his sweater this year for the Oilers? (I guess I better question is who were the Alternates last year, and are both more worthy of the status than Pronger?)

[The Czech Republic]

Sakic is the new Yzerman: the motivational leader despite being eclipsed somewhat by a teammate (Forsberg and Roy, Federov, Hull, Hasek). He'll be listed as one of the great captains eventually.

 

As for Stevie Y, is he gonna give it one more year?

[Black Lushus]

Thanks to Messier for giving the Rangers the only shining moment they'll probably ever have for another 80 years or whatever the drought was...

[kkktookmybabyaway]

Just heard on the radio that Ron Francis retired. He was still around, too?...

[Youth N Asia]

I'm partial to Yzerman...it's a hometowner thing. Plus it's easy to root for a guy who sticks with one team his entire career.

[Kismet]

Yes, Yzerman is back for one more year.

[Jericholic82]

Thanks to Messier for giving the Rangers the only shining moment they'll probably ever have for another 80 years or whatever the drought was...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

agreed Lush, and personally, the first time I got to watch a NY team win a title and it was just 2 months before I moved. well actually I was around for the ginats 2 superbowls but I didnt actually see them as I didnt car a bout sports much back then since I was just a little kid.

 

but a great moment no doubt

 

Thanks Mark and happy retirement.

[Kapoutman]

Messier was indeed an awesome player. He'll get in the HOF the second his name is on the ballot.

 

Greatest leader ever would have to be Mario Lemieux. When that guy talks, people listen and he leads by example too.

[nl5xsk1]

Messier was indeed an awesome player.  He'll get in the HOF the second his name is on the ballot.

 

Greatest leader ever would have to be Mario Lemieux.  When that guy talks, people listen and he leads by example too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The HOF class in three years is going to be stacked ... Messier, Francis, Stevens, & Macinnis all being eligible simultaneously.

 

And your quote about Lemieux (when he talks people listen & he leads by example) fits for about 95% of all captains in hockey. As much as I like him as a player, Joe Thornton is one of the only ones that I can think of that it wouldn't apply to.

[Red Baron]

And Mats Sundin.

[The Czech Republic]

Why is Naslund the captain of the Canucks instead of Linden?

[the max]

I think he was made captain while Linden was with the Islanders.

[nl5xsk1]

I'm pretty sure The Max is right ... knowing the two of them, Naslund probably offered it back & Linden said it wasn't necessary, a la Sakic offering the C to Bourque when the B's traded him to the Avs.

[treble]

I think Linden gave up the C when Vancouver signed Messier and then was traded later on to the Isles.