re: I'm considering getting into hockey, help me pick a team

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Gee, he only got to play with five Hall of Famers and be coached by another. How did he manage? The 1990-91 Penguins are one of the most talent loaded teams in the history of the sport. The "better team" argument doesn't fly.

Now, I'll give him a pass for cancer, but staying healthy is a skill. And Mario was always hurt. Hey, if only Lindros knew how to strap his helmet on, he'd have more points than Lemieux, right?

But even if we do waive a magic wand and make Mario fully healthy. Let's turn his 915 games into about 1375 by adding his numbers half again (Gretzky played 1480). This means Mario had no decline and was always at his peak, so this is beyond generous and completely unrealistic. It way overrates Mario, as it gives him credit for being in his peak when he WAS in decline from ages 30-33:

Multiplying by 1.5 gives him 1035 G and 1550 A for a career 2585 assists.... which is STILL less than Gretzky, who actually, for real, scored 894 G and 1963 A for 2857 career points.

I hated Gretzky, who had the most punchable face in NHL history, but he was far and away the best player ever.

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