Who's the best player you've ever watched?

[You Need a Thneed]

I’m sure I’ve been at a game where Makarov played, so almost certainly him.

If we go by relative to the league being played - probably Pavel Brendl. I was at 2 games personally where he scored 5 goals in. And it’s not like I went to lots of Hitmen games, just 1-2 a year.

[alan21]

Probably myself when I make my wife attend my 11:30 pm rec league games and take video.

[rogermexico]

I didn't really know enough to appreciate it at the time, but I remember seeing the Soviet Union play at the 88 Olympics. I think it was against Germany or Austria maybe. And I remember my dad pointing the KLM line out to me and explaining to me that these were probably the best players in the world at least as good as the stars in the NHL that I knew.

[The Cobra]

Hard to not to say Gretzky, the greatest player ever. I never saw Orr play in person, nor Howe.

Crosby and Lemieux were spectacular, but I simply cannot put them above Gretzky.

Flame are tougher, but how can you lose picking Iggy?

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Hate the jersey not the player. You'll be cheering for him if we go to the Olympics like everyone else.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Selanne - I was at the game he broke the rookie scoring record. Even that early in his career I said to myself "this kid might be good"

Burnaby Joe - Dude was smooth and read the game so well. Saw him a few times, but got to go to his last game at the Dome.

Selanne had an awesome career and was consistently one of the best producers in the league, but I think it’s forgotten or not emphasized enough how incredible he was in his rookie year. If he played in a larger market, it would probably be more talked about more.

It helped that he had guys like Housley Zhamnov (very underrated player), Tkachuk, and Numminen playing with him, but Selanne’s career after that speaks for itself.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Sergei Makarov. He did things on the ice in his 30’s that I’d never seen before, and haven’t seen since.

Creatively skilled in ways that had to be seen to be believed.

Makarov for me too, and for the exact same reasons. It was a joy watching opposing players try to hit him. He would elude the hit, retrieve the puck, and go in for a scoring chance while the other guy was still peeling himself off the boards and looking silly.

For non-Flames, it would have to be Jagr when he was a Penguin. By the time I got season tickets, Lemieux was a shadow of himself and injuries kept him out of most games. I don't think I ever got to see Gretzky live in his glory days, because Flames-Oilers tickets were simply impossible to get. It didn't matter. Jagr at his peak was just electric.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Selanne had an awesome career and was consistently one of the best producers in the league, but I think it’s forgotten or not emphasized enough how incredible he was in his rookie year. If he played in a larger market, it would probably be more talked about more.

It helped that he had guys like Housley Zhamnov (very underrated player), Tkachuk, and Numminen playing with him, but Selanne’s career after that speaks for itself.

Like I said, my keen eye for talent pegged him early.

[PegCityFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Selanne - I was at the game he broke the rookie scoring record. Even that early in his career I said to myself "this kid might be good"

Burnaby Joe - Dude was smooth and read the game so well. Saw him a few times, but got to go to his last game at the Dome.

Our hockey team windup was the night he beat Bossys record. I still have my ticket stub to that game. Even better was the next year we were at a goldeyes game (minor baseball team in Winnipeg) and him and Zhamnov were there. They took the time to meet with a whole group of us kids and sign autographs. It wasn't a planned event, they were just hanging out at the ballpark. I'll never forget it.

He is on my mount Rushmore of favourite athletes and role models along with Jarome Iginla and Milt Segall. Absolute classy athletes on and off the field.

[TheIronMaiden]

Off the beaten path a little.

Getzlaf in his prime could simply impose his will.

If you wanted to go a little further back Mike Modano was one of the all time greats

Likewise, Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic were both phenomenal talents, players you noticed every time they play.

[CSharp]

Gretzky, Lemieux, Fleury, Iggy, Kipper.

Iggy's slapshot hitting the glass is like - WTF just happened? It was so hard that the sound makes you duck when you're sitting behind the goal in the stands. Some of the saves Kipper makes - wow! Gretz and Lemieux playing the Flames - hands down!

[blankall]

I never got the opportunity to see the cup team or Gretzky play in person, as I didn't really get to go to games until I could pay for them myself.

I did see the Canada vs. Russia game at the 2010 Olympics.

The Russian team had Datsyuk, Federov, Kovalchuk, and Ovechkin. The Canadian side had Crosby, Iginla, Neidermeyer, etc..

[Macman]

Seems like Mario Lemieux is who a lot of people remember, I was at the game here when he played here for the last time. Was impressive to watch and I think he had 4 points. There was this one play where there was a scrum in the corner of the Flames zone and Mario just skated in there came up with the puck and set up or scored.

I never did see Gretzky play live so Mario for me.

That's what the Flames need to start working towards, that superstar player. Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff were close but we're still not there. I don't think Jack Eichel is the answer either. Start a slow rebuild with the team we have and come the trade deadline for example, get some high picks.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by blankall

I never got the opportunity to see the cup team or Gretzky play in person, as I didn't really get to go to games until I could pay for them myself.

I did see the Canada vs. Russia game at the 2010 Olympics.

The Russian team had Datsyuk, Federov, Kovalchuk, and Ovechkin. The Canadian side had Crosby, Iginla, Neidermeyer, etc..

Me too! 7-3 - That was awesome!

Lower bowl and got some cool pics. I met Brian Burke there as well, he was the US GM then I believe


As for who I’ve seen, boy. I won’t count Lindros as it was post Philly

But have seen Gretzky, Lemieux, Jagr, Yzerman, Iggy, Kipper, Crosby, Ovi, Gilmour in 93, and then Lidstrom and Datsyuk multiple times

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Macman

Seems like Mario Lemieux is who a lot of people remember, I was at the game here when he played here for the last time. Was impressive to watch and I think he had 4 points. There was this one play where there was a scrum in the corner of the Flames zone and Mario just skated in there came up with the puck and set up or scored.

I never did see Gretzky play live so Mario for me.

That's what the Flames need to start working towards, that superstar player. Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff were close but we're still not there. I don't think Jack Eichel is the answer either. Start a slow rebuild with the team we have and come the trade deadline for example, get some high picks.

The odds of getting that level of player is very very low. They probably come around once every 5 drafts (if that), and then you have to get the #1 pick in that draft. You could literally be waiting decades to win those odds, while tanking the whole time.

The Blues won a cup, when their best player was a reject from Colorado. The Oilers did draft that generational player, and they suck.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Me too! 7-3 - That was awesome!

Lower bowl and got some cool pics. I met Brian Burke there as well, he was the US GM then I believe

I had upper and lower bowl tickets that I had won in the lottery. I ended up selling the lower bowl ones, as the Canadian team was expected to lose horribly. There were plenty of Russian fans, who were paying through the nose for the tickets. Being just out of school at the time, it seemed like the correct thing to do was to attend and watch from the upper bowl.

The Canadians scored 3 times in the first period....and just kept on scoring. I've never been in a hockey stadium like that. The whole place erupted (well not the large amount Russian fans who were easily identifiable by their over the top jerseys and coats) and the party kept going.

2nd craziest live sporting event I've been to besides the Seattle Seahawks/Green Bay comeback in 2015 on their way to the superbowl.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Yeah, we were still soaking in the atmosphere when Getzlaf scored and the place erupted - it was nuts!

[Radio]

Never realized how good Scott Niedermayer was until I saw him live. Mario Lemieux was as smooth as butter on the ice. Flames, definitely Jarome, Fleury. Loob was another favourite but I never did get to see him live.

[Samonadreau]

Best under the radar player I ever saw live before they were a star was Jamie Benn. I remember watching him in probably his second season and you could tell he was going to be star. Fell off a bit as of late but man was he a stud at that time.

[Sandman]

I've never seen Gretzky, Lemieux, or Jagr play live, but I've seen one of my heroes-Peter Forsberg. He was a stud, and could beat anyone on the ice with power (he had freakish monkey strength) or finesse.