This is by far the hardest poll I've taken part in.<br />
Each of them could be the winner and I wouldn't contest, aside from Bobby Clarke Alfred <img alt="" src="/images/FCKeditor/editor/images/smiley/spln/3102_20x20_winking.gif" /> .<br />
Jean Beliveau " Le Gros Bill" was my childhood favorite, as far as class ( a gentleman that you only read about in Victorian novels) and leadership, and what he did for his fellow hockey players ( NHLPA , salary increases for the players, he really turned the tide, refused to sign and played another year for the Quebec Aces), also scored over 500 goals, however he had John Ferguson as protection.<br />
Bobby Orr, not-withstanding his knee injuries, surely would have made it an easier choice, but his lack of tenure had me excluding him.<br />
Bobby Hull, dangerous with that curved stick slap shot ( an innovator for sure ) but his marital problems are a definitive minus, and the lack of Stanley Cups.<br />
Eddie Shore I excluded because , well never really got to see him play.<br />
Gretzky ,Howe,and Richard are left, also think Lemieux could still be in this group, but he would be the next to go, just barely.<br />
Gretzky is themost talented of the group, and if you consider the numbers he put up in the WHA, would be right up there with Howe ( and his goals in the WHA with his sons) but as somebody mentioned on another post he had protection and didn't have to defend himself, or play the physical game.<br />
Howe and Richard...<br />
Howe didn't have to fight, his elbows did it all, saw a few fights that some young upstart tried to make his name by going toe-to-toe with him , can't remember their names, and after the fight wonder if they themselves could remember their names.Incredible tenure, played into his fifties, but never scored fifty, not many Stanley Cups.<br />
So being a good homey, I went with Richard, fierce competitor , didn't need protection as it was he who instigated most of the fights, pure goal scorer, first to achieve 50 goals in 50 games, could incite a city to riot by being suspended ( Campbell's suspension in the playoffs), and plenty of Stanley Cups ( albeit his brother Pocket Rocket has most of any player)...
