Hockey Night in Canada: By The Numbers

Yzerman will have scored more points than any other player who wore the number 19, but you can't go wrong with any of the remaining players. Yzerman, Sakic and Trottier scored more than 500 goals and 1,000 points. Trottier and Robinson won 6 Cups. Yzerman won 3 Cups. Sakic and MacLeish won 2 Cups. Goring, who was the main ingredient to the Islanders, won 4 Cups. Thornton and Richards are arguably two of the better centers in the game today.

Steve or Joe , If i had 1st pick it would be tough , very tough , but i would side with Yzerman . Great book , great pics as well .
cheers
Scottie

"Only differece between Steve and Joe is that I've seen Steve whine a little, and spear guys a few times AFTER the play." Quote from Dave

You're going to tell me Sakic doesn't do any crying? Do you remember the Detroit/Colorado rivalry I sure do.

"I think the best to wear #19 in history is ....... Joe Sakic because he is certainly the best player to wear it and will get his jersey retired and inducted into the hall of fame. (besides he lead Colorado to 2 stanley cups)"

Steve Yzerman led the Red Wings out of the Dead Things era to 3 Stanley Cups. The Colorado team that Sakic was on when he won those Stanley Cups was godly. I mean hell... they had Patrick Roy.

Ultimately #19 belongs to Stevie Y..... All were and still are great players, but really when you think of leadership, loyalty toughness and skill set Yzerman is the best #19.

Remember in the 80's when he was basically the only player they had, he did not have the fortune of playing with players like Foresberg and company for the fist 10 years of his career while posting monster numbers...

As a life-long Yzerman fan, I can't help but think he has to be evaluated for his era, not for today... For today, the man that stands above everyone is clearly Joe Thornton. His vision, his hands, his work ethic... all super. He's the Magic Johnson of the NHL today. The only thing he's missing is the Sidney Crosby NHL PR machine putting him front and center in all the east coast press every day...

Hands down all time great to wear the #19 is Steve Yzerman!!! I am a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey fan but seeing him conduct himself in the manner he did throughout his career earned my upmost respect for him both as a great player on the ice and a great person off the ice. When I seen him lift his first Stanley Cup above his head it brought upon me a wave of emotion, there was a player who would do anything required of him for his team to win; and in my books that is the true mark of a leader!!!

All the players are great on this list but I my mind there is only one #19, Stevie Y!

Steve Yzerman will go down in history as the greatest hockey player to ever wear the #19. His talent on the ice, although gone unrecognized for years,he was as good as Gretzky, Orr, Bossey and many other great hockey players.
He was a class act on and off the ice.
Never a whiner, he played the game the way it was meant to be played. Steve didn't need to be in the spotlight and would always compliment is team and coaches with his success.

joe sakic and steve yzerman were both and still are great players of their time. Both captianed teams to the cup and both stayed with the same team over their carrers. It is a very close call and i think they would both be tied. Yzerman got more points, but Sakic has the Hart and Olympic MVP to name some so its really close.

My vote is for Stevie Y, he has quietly been the model captain and quintessential Canadian hockey player for his entire career. While I both admire and respect Joe Sakic, and these two players are quite comparable in most respects - Yzerman is the more accomplished of the two, and arguably faced more adversity and pressure as a young player in Detroit. Growing as a player in an Original Six market with the ownership basically telling you from the start "You are going to be the future of our franchise." and doing just that. Both players have remained with their draft teams, and that says a lot, I doubt you'll see that in the new cap era - which is saddening as a life-long Penguins fan. It is hard to choose just one, but I think that - outside the Lower Mainland area of BC - if you ask anyone who has been the model captain/leader of the modern era? Yzerman would gain the majority vote. Just another notch. While Sakic is a great team player, humble and honest, he just isn't the complete package of an accomplished, talented leader that Yzerman was. But they both rule, and I'd buy either one of them a beer any day.

Stevie Y was and is the man. Sakic and any 19 to come since will be aspiring to his hights and as long as he stays involved in the league, the game will be better for it. Maybe we can have a more hardy debate about a different number.

Even though i'm a die hard Leafs fan and all, I like all those top ten!!!!!
Here is my top 5!!!
1.Stevie Yzermen
2.Paul Henderson
3.Larry Robinson
4.Bryan Trottier
5.Joe Sakic
Jason Spezza is a good player and all but he's still got a lot to go before he gets in that top 10! Maybe later he might make it!!! Go Leafs Go!!!

Curt Shmurt wrote: "who can forget Joe passing the Stanley Cup to Ray Bourque when they won the cup in 2001? Nobody can top that...did Stevie ever do that?"

Steve passed TWO cups to as great of men as Bourqe, better actually! The first-Scotty F'in Bowman, Next, a CRIPPLED Vladimir Konstantinov, who was a HUGE inspiration to Steve to win the Second of Back-to-Back Cups! Has Joe done that?

Who is best remembered for building there franchise. Sakic always had a very good supporting cast the likes of Sundin, Nolan, Forsberg Patrick Roy etc. Joe is still a great player but yzerman has faced more adversity. Yzerman basically carried the red wings his entire career. When yzerman was hurt the team generally lost.

Yzerman is the best ever to wear 19.

I ask this question. Which #19 built the team into a amazing franchise?

Joey Sakic number 1 all day. GO Avalanche!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Sakic all the way baby!!!!!!!!!!

I don't have any strong disagreements with putting Stevie Y over Burnaby Joe; I see that as a photo-finish at the top. The rest of the top 5 aren't far behind. After that, it seems there's some grasping at straws for candidates.
I mean, what I do find odd is finding Paul Henderson in the top 10. Isn't this list about CAREER accomplishments? I'm not saying that Henderson's big night in Moscow back in '72 wasn't huge for Canadian hockey but really, beyond that, no one outside of Toronto would know who Paul Henderson was. No matter how big that game was, it was ONE GAME and one game only. And the insistence that Henderson should be #1 over the rest of those in the top 10 is completely ludicrous.
Also, I'm not sure Rick MacLeish belongs in the top 10 either. He was better than Henderson, to be sure, but hardly legendary. Is there really such a dearth of quality #19's that we have to put these also-rans in the top 10? Or worse, have people mention players like Jason Spezza who haven't even really started their careers yet?

I truly believe that Stevie Yzerman deserves
the award of being the all around player that
wore the number 19. He not only Captained the
Detroit Red Wings for a number of years, he
also demonstrated strength and determination
while leading his team to three Stanley Cups, he also played for Canada's National team
and helped them win a Gold medal. He proved
his worthiness by playing through severe pain
and displayed strong leadership to his peers.

Joe Sakic will always be the truest number 19 in the hearts of Canadains. he will also deffentily be the only number 19 Colorado ever will have.

My list is based on talent, class (on and off the ice), and sportsmanship. The real question is: Who will RETIRE #19 - Sakic or Yzerman? Personally...I vote Sakic.

Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings
Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning
Paul Henderson, Toronto Maple Leafs
Butch Goring, Los Angeles Kings. Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers
Rick MacLeish, Philadelphia Flyers
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks

These debates cannot be resolved. That being said, my 2 cents say that Trottier was THE complete player, 4 Cups in a row, and 6 as a player.
Henderson did not have the great career, but the GOAL is still the GOAL. Not to mention his other game winners in the series. A spine tingler for everyone who saw those games.
It's fun to trade opinions, but how do you really prove that Sleeman's taste better than Moosehead?

Joe Sakic is by far the best Player to ever wear the number 19!

It's gotta be Joe all the way. He's still chuggin, climbing the all time scoring lists, and playing like he's in his twenties. He's showing no signs of slowing down, let alone stopping, and he'll make a run at Stevie's career numbers.

I think the best one to wear the number 19,was larry Robinson,because he was a all around player,he was good defenseman,he could score,and play for the team,not for himself like the players of today.

"I think the best to wear #19 in history is ....... Joe Sakic because he is certainly the best player to wear it and will get his jersey retired and inducted into the hall of fame. (besides he lead Colorado to 2 stanley cups)"

Hmmm......and Stevie Y already has his jersey retired, he will beat Sakic to the HOF, he is the GM of Team Canada, he was (until Sidney Crosby) the youngest player in the NHL to be given the "C", played for the same team his entire career, came back to play after what should have been a career-ending broken neck, he played in the All-Star Game after half a season in the league, making him the youngest player ever to don an All-Star sweater, between 1987 and 1993, he scored at least 100 points a season, and five times he scored 50 goals or more while winning the Lester B. Pearson Trophy in 1988-89, Conn Smythe Trophy, Frank J. Selke Trophy, Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, in international play, Yzerman represented Canada many times including at the 1983 World Junior Championships, 1984 at the Canada Cup and in 1985, he made the first of three appearances at the Worlds, the other two being in 1989 and 1990 and the 1996 World Cup, he then played in the Olympics twice (1998 Nagano Olympics and the 2002 Salt Lake City Games) here he helped Canada capture its first gold medal in more than 50 years.

Oh, and Stevie led HIS team to THREE Stanley Cups.

Joe Sakic is a great player, no doubt about it. But Stevie tops him.

teri

No argument

But Jean Ratelle was a heck of player and leader too especially with Boston. Only the great Canadiens teams and shaky goaltending prevented that Boston team from winning the Cup.

Robinson was the only one of these players who changed the game. He had a huge role in ending the Flyers reign of terror, he was the prototype for a big, offensively gifted defencemen, and probably one of the top 5 of all time (Orr, Coffey, Harvey, Lidstrom?). The 70's Habs are the greatest team ever because of how they could play defence - You could argue that Shutt and Lafleur could be matched by Sittler and MacDonald, but the Big 3, goaltending, the checking line with Jarvis, and Bob Gainey made the Canadiens a dominant team.

This is a great hockey number, but I think the answer is:

1) Robinson
2) Sakic
3) Yzerman

4) Everybody else

Only differece between Steve and Joe is that I've seen Steve whine a little, and spear guys a few times AFTER the play.

If your are going to count Trottier's cup as an assistant coach, you have to count Big Bird's when he was assistant coach for a Jersey cup winner.

Of course, I'm going to go for Yzerman, but you can't help but give respect for the man who is almost his mirror image: Joe Sakic. Both are the faces of their franchise, long-lasting and inspiring leaders, and overall fantastic hockey players.

I do think, however, that the best point was made below: Yzerman changed his game to suit his team. His stats would arguably be higher right now if he had continued to play up to his full ability (Of course, with a sacrifice on defense), and he'd definitely have more points. But that exemplifies what Yzerman was: A person that gave everything for his team. I still think that his run in the 2002 playoffs is the stuff of legends. Him playing without any cartilage in his knees, through that sort of pain... I still think that's one of the greatest "Playing through Pain" performances ever. Screw Jordan's "I have a fever" performance; that's one game. Play 23 games, every other night, traveling cross country (They played every series that year in a different TIME ZONE) constantly. That, to me, is a much harder challenge, just to keep on the ice.

And he is pure class. He's soft-spoken, kind, and an all-around great guy. Him handing the Cup to Vlady in '98 proved as much.

All respect to the other #19 players. But seriously, there is only one "Captain". There is a reason that Team Canada will no longer suit people up with #19 anymore, and Yzerman is it.

my-2-choices-Joe-Sakic-and-Joe-Thornton

Larr..yy - RoBINson !

Trottier is still number 1. Six Cups, Conn Smythe, Hart, Calder you name it and the best two-way center for his entire career. Although it is a close call with Stevie Y and Big Bird.

Nice call on Spezza, Shanny not a true "19". May we one day at Toewes and Gomez as well? Wonder which all time "Number" team would be the best. 19 looks pretty impressive.

Joe Sakic is the only classy figure to redeem any part of that filthy Avalanche 1990s/2000s squad. He is a class act, a leader by example, a real offensive talent with an incredible wrist shot, and a decent defender. He deserves to be considered as one of the top-10 #19's of all time.

Steve Yzerman is step better than Sakic in every category. On a pure offensive level, Yzerman is head and shoulders above all but 2 of his peers, and defensively he far outshined the same group (Lemieux and Gretsky) by the time he was done. His tenancity, toughness, and determination only set him further apart.

And I find it unlikely (though possible) that Joe Sakic would attain Yzerman's career point totals. No way the man eclipses Howe...

I'd have to think stevie y is the guy that stands in my mind because he's a winner, he played on one knee in the 2002 olympics, Sakic couldn't help the team in 2006 in torino, and first of all he played his heart out in 97' 98' 2002 Championships. Stevie Y All Time No. 19

You shouldn't compare eras . However, Bryan Trottier in his prime pound for pound was the Best Player in the NHL. He did everything , And He has 6 Stanley Cup Championships he was a part of , Conn Smythe Trophy Winner, Art Ross & Hart Trophy Winner & Calder Trophy winner.

I do not believe you are having this discussion. Look at the numbers you have in your article, then tell me who is number one. If you dont say Steve, then you cant add....and by the way add leadership and team player to the list..and you come out STEVE YZERMAN

Joe Sakic is the best player to ever wear the number 19.

I think the best to wear #19 in history is ....... Joe Sakic because he is certainly the best player to wear it and will get his jersey retired and inducted into the hall of fame. (besides he lead Colorado to 2 stanley cups)

hey Curt Shmurt

Stevie Y did do that, and as touchy a momment as the passing of the cup to Ray Bourque was, Stevie topped it by not even being the first to hoist the cup, but instead passing it off to Vladdy in his wheel-chair. Class was Yzerman's middle name.

As far as the points argument goes, had it not been for stevie's miltiple injures, who know how many points he could've had.

No question Yzerman is the real #19, and other players know it by not wearing it in international play.

Super Joe all the way he will always be number 1 for number 19

Robinson! But wow, what company he has. It pains to actually have to make a decision. (My allegiance to the HABS tipped it for me.)

Steve Yzerman is by far the best #19 of all time!!! Not only is he the best #19 of all time, but if your talking best all around player he he is that. He has the grit, skill, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and he will block a shot with his face just to win. I know a lot of you didn't see him in the 02'playoffs, but I did and it was amazing. It almost brought a tear to my eye to see how badly he wanted to win, the guy could barley pick himself off the ice and he still put up a point a game throughout the playoffs. He represents what every athlete should be… a warrior! Blocking shots setting up teammates and shutting down the other team’s best players. Not to mention he did all this on a bone to bone knee that would sideline anyone else in the league. Not only to bring Lord Stanley back where it should be (hockeytown) but he brought a medal to the fine country of Canada.

I was thinking of getting this book, but it has lost all creditability by having Mike Richards on that list over Naslund...

Hey Curt Shmurt, in you 11-22 6:29 PM post, are you insinuating that Yzerman has no class? Sakic passed the Cup to Bourque did Yzerman ever do that? Well, no, Yzerman never played with Bourque, but in 1997 he DID pass the Cup to Mike Ilitch (team owner who bought the team as the Dead Things) first. In 1998, he passed the Cup to fallen superstar Vladimir Konstantinov as he sat in a wheel chair and in 2002 upon learning that Scotty Bowman was retiring, he passed it along to him first signaling the end of a career. No, there's no class there, Stevie never passed the Cup to anyone he kept it for himself.

The similarities between Joe S. and Steve Y. are amazing and as such both deserve the honor of greatest player wearing #19. Both are great hockey players headed to the Hall of Fame, but even more impressive is how they've conducted themselves off the ice. They are excellent role models with a great deal of integrity and the highest level of professionalism and respect towards the game of hockey. They are also proud to be Canadians!!

Paul Henderson #1.

Everyone else is a distant #2.

What a decision! It's hard being both a Wings and an Avs fan in Colorado. It has to be Joe but not by much. They both are great. Steve has the grit and toughness, but Joe has the class and a legendary scoring touch that Stevie Y could only dream about. Joe will be somewhere in the Top 5 in all-time scoring when he retires. When you consider who the only guys ahead of him will be on that list, it gives Super Joe the nod over Stevie Y.

To Jake, Larry Robinson began his career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1972. Expansion had already begun by then. In fact, the NHL had 14 teams that season. Larry was a close third in the #19 ballot.

I'd call it a draw between S.Y.and Trots.Above all else both have had stellar careers and are Class Acts all the way.

Joe vs Steve ? its very close, I think both guys personify what a true Canadian captain should be in the NHL, raw unbriddled talent and unwavering leadership and heart. Both guys played for menacing teams at their peak and both guys have enough NHL hardware to fill a warehouse. In the end ill take the hometown hero, the pride of Nepean Ontario, Stevie Y !!!!!!

Gotta give it to Robinson all those Cups those stats... I respect Yzerman and Sakic but come on????

Jasson Spezza ?!?!?!?!????
Wthat's the matter with you people???

SPEZZA????????WOW GET REAL. #19 BELONGS TO YZERMAN

Did someone really say Jason Spezza? I mean really give your head a shake.

Joe Sakic for sure hands down. Best part is he is still playing and playing at a elite level.

I've seen every one of these players. Without a doubt, Larry Robinson is on top of the list, followed by Yserman.

Since I started watching in the 60's Larry has been the 2nd best defenceman after Bobby Orr. If someone was to argue he was the best I wouldn't put up much of an argument.

Sorry Abe, Joe Sakic is number 1 in sweater 19. Always has been and always will be.

You can't really pick between yzerman and sakic. Both beauties, both very deserving of 1 & 2. And for the guy that said back in hendersons day they were all more rounded players, you've gotta be kiddin me.

Joe Sakic all the way! Quebec Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche all the way!

No doubt Stevie Y and Joe are probably the best, but the person who stands out in my mind is Paul Henderson as scored the most important goals in Canadian history in 1972 and in mind should be in the hall of fame.

The Best #19 Is...... Wayne Gretzky
(Just Kidding)

Well I still Think Wayne IS the Best player of all times But besides Him My Other Favourite PLAYER That Wears 19 is ...... Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman no other 2 players can top them 2

I think this is a really hard to pick a number #19 Best plater out , because my fav # is 19 and i think the best play to wear it is ..... Joe Sakic

#19 is Paul Henderson who scored the most important goal in Canadian Hockey history. None of the others have impacted our culture and heritage like that goal!! Henderson also played in an era where EVERY player was an "A" player. Every player in that time were much better all round players than the majority of todays NHL. Most of todays players would never have been heard of had it not been for greed leading to over expansion.

STEVE YZERMAN OF COURSE IS THE GREATEST 19 OF ALL TIME..WHY? BECAUSE HE'S STEVE YZERMAN, NOTHING ELSE NEEDS TO BE SAID.

Joe Sakic all the way Stevie second

Bryan Trottier = 19

Joe Sackic; the most underated superstar, should be #1

Joe Sakic by a lot. I like stevie but Joe is leads the Colorado Avalanche by example he is such a classy guy. He has lots of talent. When he won the cup he gave it right to Ray Bourque that was a very classy move I thought.

Sakic! I watched him play junior in Swift Current and the talent and leadership he displayed as a 17 year old - after the horrendous bus crash - was amazing. Add that he spent much of his prime hockey playing life in the 'clutch and grab' NHL(whereas Stevie Y. had an extra 5 years playing when 8 or more goals were being scored a game), and really, it's no contest.

trottier is the best 19 in my mind, 6 cups, great playmaker, and most of all a 2 way player.

Spezza!

Most of the posts place Stevie Y and Sakic 1 & 2, but I think that is because many have forgotten how good Trottier and Robinson were. Robinson's stats have been posted, so I'll give you Trottier's:
Trophies
Calder Trophy - 1 (1976)
Art Ross - 1 (1979)
Hart Memorial Trophy - 1 (1979)
Conn Smythe Trophy - 1 (1980)
King Clancy Memorial Trophy - 1 (1989)
Championships
Stanley Cup - 7 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1991, 1992, 2002-asst. coach)
Trottier was by far the best 2-way player of anyone on this list. As much as I like Steve Yzerman, he wasn't a good 2-way player until later in his career. As for Robinson, he played most of his games when there were only 6 teams and the game was much simpler and slower back then.

Both Sakic Yzerman are deserving of the #1 spot, depending on personal preference - so to me the only real question is whether or not to even have a Top 10...

Perhaps a Top 5 can be debated over - but after that choices include young, unproven players (Richards) and guys that disappear when it counts most.(Thornton, playoffs - hello!)

Burnaby Joe is the way to go. Even now he still honours Stevie in the Olympics by wearing 91 instead of 19. Joey never wanted the spotlight it just came to him because he was a great player and a real team leader any other number stevie you would have it in a heartbeat but not 19. Joe has lead Colorado and has helped Paul Stastny to become a great player so when Joey retires Colorados not in the dumps. My opinion is as clear as day its Burnaby Joe for 19.

Sackic has been one of the biggest clutch performers in history (playoff OT winners for example) and his points and awards speak for themselves. That being said, no one, not Gretzky, Orr, Messier or Lemuix was a better captain than Stevie Y and that's why he gets my vote.

I am biased. Stevie Y is my favourite hockey player of all time and I live and die with the Wings, so for me no one comes close to him. But I don't blame anyone who thinks Joe Sakic should be right up there with him. I think their accomplishments are comparable, and they have to be two of the classiest guys to ever take the ice. You can't go wrong with either guy. But Stevie is #1 (and #19) for me.

Great feature! I ordered Hockey by the Numbers from cbcshop.ca last week after seeing it a local Canadian Tire.

I give the edge to Stevie-Y for his dominant offensive play during the 80s and 90s, reinventing himself as a player and persevering through a career-threatening back injury.

Stevie Y did have a great career, but if Sakic can play 2 more seasons after this one he'll probably end up #2 all-time in points, so Sakic takes the cake for me.

Joe by the width of a skate blade over Stevie. Both great players.!

Big Joe fan, but its hard to dismiss the years of consistent leadership that Yzerman's provided, the sacrifices, the cups. Joe continues to play at such a high level. Lets re-evaluate when its fair to do so.....when Joe retires.

I think Steve Yzerman is the right choice for #1 at 19. He has the highest single season point total of anyone not name Gretzky or Lemieux and at the peak of his career, was asked to change his game from a high scoring center to being a defensive center. He then did something Gretzky and Lemieux never did, won a Selke as the best defensive forward in the league. He was consistently in the top 10 face off winning percentage and played in all situations both offensive and defensive at all times of the game. While Joe Sackic is a great player, great scorer, classy guy and leader in every aspect, he is still considered an offensive player and not someone who would be your first pick to shut down the opposing teams top line. He also has been lucky to not have the types of injuries that Steve Yzerman has had to slow down his career and never had to battle back from radical surgery never performed on a professional athlete just to play another season.

But for me what it all comes down to is I am biased as I have been a Red Wings fan most of my life and a Steve Yzerman fan since he first stepped foot onto the NHL ice. So Yzerman for me is #1 no matter which number your talking about. :)

Stevie Y - no doubt about it. For a player to go from scoring 60 goals and getting over 150 points to winning the Selke Trophy is incredible. Steve is/was a class act all the way. Great leader, great attitude, great person.

He was a great hockey player. We got to see him the year he retired against Nashville.
Joe Louis arena is great , and so are the people, you say you are Canadian , and the Jagers come out , and someone has worked in Ontario, it was GREAT.

Joe Sakic Ide have to say even though i was a wings fan but Joe has been reliable for so long. Both were amazing players and had great careers but Joe is still playing and leading Colorado as a captain and has played in 12 All star games and has been captain and Asistant captain for Canada in the Olympics. Joe the way he has been playing will top Yzermans records if he keeps on playing.

No problem with Joe or Steve at the top, the are equals in my books. Robinson is in the hall, but I wonder how much of his impact is through Hab overexposure. He was big and on some of the best teams in history.

I seriously question the inclusion of Brad Richards and Paul Henderson. Richards hasn't been around long enough and Henderson's NHL numbers are far from stellar. Henderson screams of a romantic choice as opposed to a deserved one.

Only an eastern based reporter would be short sighted enough to leave Markus Naslund off this list. A ring or even decent playoff performance is missing to be sure, but you can't deny the effort, the heart or the touch. Any hockey citizen of Canada would love to have this guy on their team, he is the ultimate home team player.

Tough choice! Sakic and Stevie Y are similar in so many ways. Both are/were great point producers who were equally capable of finishing or setting up a play. They both displayed a quiet, understated leadership style. Stevie and Joe both demonstrate why hockey players are among the most well regarding professional athletes in North America; no trash talking self obsessed jerks in our game (Sean Avery excepted)! To derate one player because he played on the better team is pointless as both played with some pretty good players (Federov, Lidstrom, Larionov, Delorme, Forsberg, Blake, Roy, etc.). Ok, I was kidding about Gilbert Delorme. Stevie Y displays of heart/perserverance during the playoffs/Olympics are more widely known because of his knee troubles but nobody wins Stanley Cups without a large amount of grit and determination. It's true that Joe never scored 155 points in a season, but Stevie Y never scored 18 goals in one playoff year either. Sorry for giving everybody "War and Peace" when you're just looking for a curt (or maybe even a Curt Shmurt) comment on this topic, but I couldn't help myself. With apologies to Trots and Big Bird, Stevie Y and Burnaby Joe are equally deserving of the title "Greatest to wear #19"

Stevie Y, Trottier, Larry, and Joe's (Sakic & Thornton), and Jean Ratelle are all worthy #19's, you have the building blocks for a Champion with this base for a roster. I think I'd go with Stevie Wonder, and then Larry Robinson. All these guys are class acts too!

I truly believe that if you asked Joe who the best player who ever wore #19 is he would say Steve Yzerman, and if you asked Steve who was the best he would say Joe. That is just the kind of classy guys that they are. As I said before on pure talent, I think Joe would have it, but Steve brought so much more to the game than just his talent. Steve has it, but I really don't like how some of these comments have turned into the bashing of certain players. and by the way Steve from Banff, Gretzky never said Sakic couldn't wear 19, Sakic always wears 91 and refused to take 19 because of all of the years he played alongside Yzerman for team Canada. Also, Terry I believe it was the line of Sakic-Iginla-Gagne who had the most points in the 2002 Olympics and basically won the Final. And antoher fun fact about Joe- HE is the only player ever to win MVP of the Olympics, NHL, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the World Cup.

Its deffinetly a close race but i think that the top 19 has got to be henderson, i mean who could EVER forget the goal he scored for canada in 72. That goal is as much canadian as beavers or the mounties.

Although both Steve and Joe are fantastic, let's not forget about Joe being in the top 10 scoring on the worst team in the league (Nordiques) for years. They are both class acts and both deserving of the title. My vote goes for Joe though.

that's a tough question... yzerman or sakic.

both have won at all levels.

i say it's a tie

Joe Sakic

Purely as a hockey fan... For now my opinion goes to Yzerman. Get back to me in a few years when Sakic retires, I believe both will have very close records but I think it will be Joe Sakic when all is said and done. Even if Yzerman ends up with more points then Sakic... as far as I can compare Joe Sakic's had more accomplishments then Yzerman.

Steve Yzerman. Clearly the best. Not only the best #19, but the best player to ever play the game, period. He's done so much for the game of hockey. He was on one knee in Salt Lake, and also won the Stanley Cup on it as well in the same year. Classy is the best way to describe Stevie. I can say for sure that I am the biggest Steve Yzerman fan there is, though that doesn't mean my opinion is biased.
Remember though, that Stevie passed the Cup to Konstantinov, and also passed it to Scotty Bowman in his final season as a head coach.
Joe Sakic is a great talent, no doubt. However, Steve Yzerman has shown much more dedication and committment and, no question about it, is the better of the #19's to ever play the game, if not the best ever.
Thank you, Steve Yzerman.

There is only one 19 that comes to mind.
Steve Yzerman.
Stevie carried a Red Wing squad on 1 leg to a Stanley cup in 2002.
Nobody has ever done that.

He was blocking shots with a really bad leg.

Sakic himself didn't argue about not wearing 19 because of Stevie.

Trottier was awesome and so was the Big Bird, Joe Sakic is unbeleivable.

But At the end of the day...Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie Stevie

no doubt who is the best # 19

steve yzerman

Everyone is making a deal about sakic handing the cup to Borque. Howabout Stevie Y taking a pay cut to sign talent to go after another cup? Respect for another player is fantastic, but when you see a professional athelete actually ask for less money to make his team competative, that wins hands down.

Just goes to show you, for some it isn't about the cash!

Not only was Stevie Y a great player, he was able to adapt his style to how hockey was evolving over the years. Just look at the difference in skill (especialy skating) the players had when Stevie started his carrer as opposed to when he finished, yet he was still one of the top players. Lesson: Even though stevie knew he was a great player he didn't stop trying to improve his skating and that's why he was so goos for so long.

There will never be another No. 19 like Stevie Y. Sorry Joe, any other number and it would be yours, but not 19.

Steve Yzerman, is the man to go with.

Steve Yzerman is the only player who deserves to be listed as number one.
He is a player who accomplished a great deal in his career. Steve's stats speak for themselves. What is even more impressive than his points, is the type of player he was on and off the ice. He never took any credit for his individual acheivements, instead he always made a point to mention the team effort it took to win. No player has even come close to matching Stevie Y's love of the game and the heart he put into every game he played.

STEVIE’S LEGACY WILL OUT PERSEVERE ALL!

Stevie Y owns that number. What other player in the NHL starts and finishes a career with one team. We should give him the accreditation that he deserves.

Numbers and story for the others?

Both Yzerman and Sakic grew up in BC, so they are both number 1's.

Humble comes to mind when I think of Stevie "Y"! Here's a guy who never wanted the spotlight. Not a primadona because he was a hockey player. A guy who went to work for 20+ seasons, in one of the toughest professional sports known to man, and just did his job. He never thought he was better than anyone else. I think this in itself is why he should be considered a shoe in for the best at #19. His idol, Bobby Orr, was also like this. These are humble guys who loved what they do for a living and in the end, the public revered them. The Great Ones have humility. Mr. Illitch of the Red Wings has given Stevie "Y" a lifetime job with the organization because of this.

MacLeish and Henderson (the 1972 Goal notwithstanding) are too high on the list. They were B+ players in the day. Others have identified deserving 19s. My hope is that Naslund puts together a couple more good seasons and deserve place on the list.

STEVIE Y all the way. not even a contest. no one with any other number comes close for that matter..

but seriously - who are these dudes???

5. Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers
6. Rick MacLeish, Philadelphia Flyers
7. Butch Goring, Los Angeles Kings

seriouslY????

what an insult to joe thornton that they were put on the list.. let alone ahead of him!!!

lol

... regardless, all that matters is who is first on the list -- and there's only one #19 -- STEVIE Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO WINGS!

The headline led me to believe that this was a comparison by numbers, but unless I missed a link to another article, all I saw was a tribute to Steve Yzerman... NOT that there's anything wrong with that. And how could a discussion of #19s leave out the current Canucks captain? I realise he's not on the same statistical level as Joe and Steve, but come on, he's not exactly an NHL underacheiver either.

Oh and by the way, remember when Yzerman couldn't suit up for Canada and Gretzky said that nobody was allowed to wear 19 for that tournament out of respect for Yzerman and what he had done for his Country? You know who was on that team, Sakic but he couldn't wear 19 and to boot Gretzky had said it didn't matter whether he said it or not because no player would have worn it anyway! I rest my case!

Wow what a question. Both are great players and great ambassadors for the game. I could never choose one over the other. Now if it was #4 that was in the discussion that would be totally differnt.

Steve Yzerman is no doubt the greatest 19 and you also got it right with Sakic at #2. These two were the very same type of player and both wore their heart on there sleeve. Watching them battle it out in the late 90s with their respective teams was the best thing to look forward to every playoff year. Just to comment on Curt's comment Do you remember Stevie handing the cup to Vlady or even Scotty for the last time? All emotional moments

Yzerman or Sakic.
Which one is better. In 10 years from now that will still be a debate hard to answer, both were great (and Sakic is still great)

Glad you put Ratelle on the list. If he hadn't been injured in 71-72, he may have won the scoring title over Espo.

Bryan Trottier, most complete player in the NHL from the late 70's till early 80's.

Robinson, he was one of the best.

But Yzerman never had a great player to play with on the wing. There was Ogrodnick, Gallant...but never a great player to play with.

One day Thornton will move up on that list, and if not for sept 1972, Henderson wouldn't even be there.

Overall, Sakic gets the nod over Stevie Y, but barely...mostly due to staying healthy & still playing a high level into his late 30's.

yzerman, that is all

There is only 1 #19........

6 Stanley Cups
2 Norris
1 Conn Smythe
20 straight years in playoffs (league record)
All-time +/(-)leader. +800 or something ridiculous like that.
1976-77: +122 (league record)
Canadiens all time leader in goals, assists and points for defencemen. And still (30 years later)owns Canadiens single season record for points in a season with 85.

Could also beat the hell out of you. Ask Schultz.

They share the number one spot for the number nineteen. I idolized both of these players when I was growing. I have both of these player's rookie card. Great leadership from both of these players, both have won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophies. Always showed up to play in either regular season or turns it up a notch when the BIG GAMES are here; EG: 2002 Olympics Gold Medal Game.

It's hard to compare these two great players because they both play with grits, determinations and both are classy guys well respected players...so I would give both of them thumbs up.

joe sakic of course!!!

As it stands now, Yzerman, simply based on stats. He and Sakic are both equally good, Stevie-Y has just been around longer. Sakic, however, is the second oldest player to score 100 points in a season. Give him a couple more years, and then he'll be number one.
Perhaps in 10 years, however, the list could be something like this...

1. Joe Sakic
2. Steve Yzerman
3. Larry Robinson
4. Joe Thornton}
5. Bryan Trottier
6. Jean Ratelle
7. Jason Spezza etc etc

so many good players with that number right now

Yzerman is the ruler of Captain's. Who Can Forget the 3 combo Kariya, Lemieux and Yzerman in 2002 Team Canada What a Game....!

Let us not forget that Jason Spezza currently sports the famed number 19. He is making a case to be remembered for what he does on the ice now and as a future famed Senator. All-time number 19 great? The Sakic-Yzerman debate is a close call... I give the nod to Stevie Y, but not by a more than a couple of strides and points. Keep your stick on the ice. GO SENS GO!

Jim Sandlak (Canucks) was the best.

Petri Skriko (Vancouver Canucks)

For you lumberjacks, cowboys, and northerners, I'll throw in my Atlantic bias and say that:

Brad Richards should be moved into 3rd, 4th, or 5th place. Far on top of Thorton because Richards won a Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe, Lady Byng Trophy, and was the playoff scoring leader with 25 points (12 goals and 13 assists) in 23 games played - all done in 2004!

I would go with Trottier. By far the best all-around forward. Near the end of his career Yzerman rounded out his game some - but until that point never really brought the leadership, passion, and defense that Trottier did. Good list though overall - just move Trottier up to the top.

Could be Spezza in a few years..

Naslund not even mentioned in the top 10?

As time passes, the merits of the older players begin to fade. Brian Trottier could and did do it ALL. You talk about leadership! Has this guy got 7 RINGS!! He could forecheck, backcheck, and break your arm check and everyone in the league knew it. Everyone kept their heads up when Brian was on the ice, even the fans to watch out for his errant shots. The BIRD,BC JOE,and Stevie Y all were great, but Brian was the Greatest! Gretzky said that watching Brian and the rest of the Isles apply ice packs before celebrating their sweep of the Oilers was one of the biggest lessons he learned about what it takes to win the cup. Edmonton won the next year and the era of the Isles was over, but Wayne wore 99, not 19.

Judging the top list for this number is really tough. This list gets the top 4 right in my book.But honestly Robinson,Yzerman, Trottier and Sakic in my opinion are all tied. They all have accomplishments in all areas, individual and team. Some of them have more in some areas and less in others. After I look at it all, I can't rank any of these guys any other way. They are all # 1. If I had to pick one-ROBINSON, simply because I grew up in Montreal and watched the Canadiens of the 70's (greatest team all time 1975-1979 Canadiens)You never would have thought that a young guy could get drafted and get called up to eventually be part of the BIG 3 and then surpass Savard and Lapointe( two great defensemen) and then be considered the best of the 3.

As a former Quebec Nordiques fan, I absolutely love Joe Sakic. He's a great player and a class act. But nobody comes close to Steve Yzerman . . . nobody. Yzerman is the perfect blend of talent, leadership, and heart. Stevie Y will always be my number one.

I'm a little biased by the autographed Yzerman jersey that I own...it is a tough call between Steve/Joe, you're basically splitting hairs. Both Steve and Joe have pretty much won every possible hockey award, but do you recall Feb. 24, 2002 when Yzerman could hardly walk, but still gave nothing less than 100% effort in the gold medal game at the Olympics? That right there should show everyone how great he truly was, hurt or not, when it came to crunch time, Stevie Y was ready for whatever was thrown at him!! He LED Team Canada to the gold medal playing that way...and he also showed up on the score sheet too!! I'm a huge Sakic fan as well...but the edge definitely goes to Stevie!!

"nor did he have peter forsberg on his line...."

Though there was the Federov/Shanny/Yzerman line. Legendary.

I totally agree with the #1 for #19 pick! Stevie "Y" is the only Wing that I enjoyed watching! His leadership to the wings was unparalleled!

Ummm...here in Vancouver...we have our own #19....and we'll take Marcus, he's only #1 or near #1 in most of our franchise's records...

Stevie Y and a close second to that would be Bryan Trottier and perhaps Larry Robinson.
Steve was the heart and sound of a francise that he brought back from near extinction. His sheer courage and fiercely competitive nature that he demonstrated with such class will never be seen again.

Sakic please, Yzerman's is the real legend and better all round player.... 19 is Stevie Y's number always.....

Joe Sakic, using my burnaby bias

not saying the others (stevie Y or Big Bird) aren't just as great

GO NASLUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to hand it to Yzerman. I think he may have the nod on the defensive side, not that Sakic is much of a liability.... there offensive stats are near identical over there career span, although Yzerman did have one year of 155 points, that is sick... how many players have had more then 150 in a year? Lemieux? Gretzky? Not sure if there is anyone else... Can you imagine where Yzerman would be if he didnt take that nasty hit that hurt his neck? He never was the same offensive threat after that, but was STILL better then 90% of the guy in the league...nor did he have peter forsberg on his line....

Joe Sakic, hands down.
BTW, Sakic originally wore the number 88 jersey in his rookie years in the NHL with the Nordiques.

I do agree with a previous post that mentioned Sakic as a better player and Yzerman as a better leader.

Spezza doesn't deserve to be in the same thought as these other guys. Burnaby Joe and and Stevie Y put up the points and lead their teams with grit, determination and a never-say-die attitude. Right now, Spezza isn't even the best Senator, let alone the best #19 of all time.

Yzerman. totally biased though, he was my favorite player since he joined in '83. I suffered with the Red Wings for many, many years before they finally broke the seal in '97. A huge point player who modestly adapted his game to become the best two way captain of his generation--an act which I believe lead directly to those 3 Cups.
But 2002, Salt Lake City, Joe Sakic, 4 points in the gold medal game...not to mention the entire season he had that year...hard to argue...
But Wait! 80-83, Trottier leads the New York, no not the Rangers but the improbable Islanders, to 4 straight cups. And that mustache...daring.
But while we're talking about Cups, The Big Hurt's got six...he needs both his hands just to wear his Stanley cup Rings....
But WAIT! It's not over! let's drift back to 1972, Sept 28th...I was eight days old...and the immortal words, "Henderson...has scored for Canada!" Goosebumps.
But Trottier actually has 7 Stanley cup rings hold on Sakic is still playing wait Robinson played defense and still matches up but Yzerman had only ONE knee when he got the playoff MVP---
Stop. Head hurts.
...
Speaking of heads, Butch Goring wore a cardboard helmet his entire career. He's the best.

The Joe. Not Big Joe, another formidable 19 who one day maybe 1st on that list, Joe Thornton. The Joe, is Joe Sakic in my opion should be #1 on that list.

How about Jason Spezza #19 for the Senators

Yzerman all the way baby!

Steve Yzerman became my favourite player as a child after playing NHL '94 on the Super Nintendo, and scoring insane amounts of goals with him. I was only a kid back then, but because of that game, I followed Yzerman and the wings every single year, through all three cups, to the end of his glorious career (often to the dismay of the dad, who's a dedicated leafs fan, haha).

It wasn't just the stats though, which were already enough to put him near the top. He was also a class act, a player that kids could look up to (as I did), and apparently quite the inspiration in the dressing room as well. He was a true leader, and proved his worth in more ways than just scoring goals.

In my opinion, Yzerman is one of the few truly great players to have played in the NHL, up there alongside Gretzky, Orr and Lemieux. So yeah, I'm going to agree without a second thought that he should be at the top of the list for #19. Sakic is great, but he's no Yzerman.

There is only 1 No.19 and it is Mr.Yzerman. There is a defining moment in this man's career that will put him above anyone else that will ever wear that number. St.Louis vs. Detroit series, seventh game OT. Stevie Y picked up the puck in his own endzone, skated through 4 Blues players and let a slapshot go outside the blue line. The puck nicked the post and the crossbar and ended up top shelf, where mommy keeps the cookies. The goalie was Grant Fuhr!

Hands down, Bryan Trottier. the best all-around player for years, sacrificed his personal offensive stats for Stanley Cup victories, and anyone who saw his reactions to winning two cups with the Penguins - a pure love of the game.

Im a huge fan of Joe sakic, conn smythe winner, two time stanley cup winner, has taken a french team who was going nowhere into a cup winning team. He has so much respect for steve, that he is willing to give up his number for steve, that shows mutual respect that is not seen enough in todays game. I think the reason why most people place stevie ahead of joe is for the simple fact that joe has become an amazing leader under the radar. Hes quiet, he leads by example, and loves the game he plays. Steve, also quiet and modest, was not underrated like joe because just how he spoke, he was just a bit louder, and not by much! That small personality trait to me is the difference!.
Both amazing players!

The problem with this type of poll/contest/make-work-project is that you can't compare players of different eras and positions. It is a tough choice between Yzerman and Sakic but Ratelle was as good in his time and Trottier was a key to the Islanders and, albeit to a lesser extent, the Penguins championships.
As for Robinson....well, just ask any player who had to pick splinters out of his rear after being crushed by a Robinson check or the goalies who saw the Big Bird flying at them on one of his patented end-to-end rushes and they will tell you there was nothing more fearful than number 19 of the blue, blanc et rouge!

Hands down goes to The Big Bird. Larry Robinson...a defenceman that could rush from end to end like no one's business. He would rarely fight, but when he did...he sent a message. This guy could deliver a clean devastating mid-ice bodycheck like no one else(with the exception of Scott Stevens). The Big Bird was respected, no doubt about it. You will see many a Steve Yzerman come and go in the NHL, but there's only ONE Larry Robinson. He's the clear choice for the #1 "19".

I think Scott's top 10 is in good order.10 years ago Robinson-Trottier would have been 1-2 but with these two great players who haved played their hole careers with the same organization in today's hockey makes alot of sense why their 1 and 2.Great picks Scott.

I love all three 19s. Robinson was my favourite. I remember being at a deli in Montreal when he was traded.You could feel the temperature in the room rising....but while Robinson played his role, Steve and Joe do whatever is necessary on and off ice for their teams. I just watched from row2 as Joe played in Calgary on Monday night. Even though he bailed out his defence and was fully active as a forward, he made it look effortless. After watching his recent game, I choose Joe. And now that you memtion it I miss watching Stevie Y. He may have been the best but today I want to celebrate the living playing legend, Joe Sakic.

Many of those writing may not have been around when Bryan Trottier was in his prime. He didn't have the points Gretzky did, but he was the best all-around player in the NHL for many years. He could do it all - score, play physical, backcheck and lead - but was still very humble. Between only Yzerman and Sakic, I would say Sakic was the better player but Yzerman was the better leader. Robinson was a great player too. Best overall ever to wear number 19 - Bryan Trottier

To pick who is better is a tough call, both won numerous stanley cups, both were leaders on their team, both are hall of famers. To put one better than the other cannot be justified, but you can say they are amoung the best in their generation.

How did the list overlook Jason Spezza?! He's number 19 and plays for the Ottawa Senators. I admit he isn't the biggest of goal scorers, but definitely has awesome playmaking abilities!

Manoj

Well if your talking about players that wore the number 19, I wonder why no one has said anything about Brendan Shanahan. He wore the number for a couple of years in St.Louis before he was traded to Hartford for Pronger. I know he wears Number 14 now and he also wore number 94 in Hartford but when he was in St.louis he played with Craig Janney. If you recall Shanny and Janney terrorized the Leafs in the 1992-93 playoffs. Fortunately for Leafs fans we came back and won the series. shanny however was a force back then and has had a great career. He is a gauranteed first ballot hall of fame selection when he retires and is elgible.

Alright alright you guys, I hear you, I said I totally forgot about that, give me a break wouldja? I suppose it's like comparing apples to oranges, there is no comparison. All the others too. I'll just state that Joe Sakic is my #1 for 19(and 91 hah!) but I don't mean to take anything away from Yzerman. In the immortal words of Stan Lee; 'nuff said.

I have to go with Joe Sakic, the first player to reach 100 points with a team that was last in the league standings. While ironically he wasn't wearing the number 19 in Salt Lake City (yielding it to Yzerman)I believe he was named MVP of the tournament.

Both Sakic and Yzerman have proven to be great ambassadors for hockey and they are part of a small number of players in the modern era to have spent their entire carreer with the same franchise.

They both deserve the respect of all hockey enthusiasts.

Curt Schmurt, you say that Yzerman didn't hand the cup off to anybody like Sakic did to Bourque. Seems to me that when they won the cup in 2001-02, Yzerman made sure to hand the cup to Konstantinov, who was injured in a car accident in 98'. THAT was a classy move. Both are great players but Yzerman's grit and ability to play with injuries has to give him the edge in this case.

Hey Curt do some research, I believe Stevie handed the cup to his wheelchair-bound teammate, Konstantinov. Class..Stevie was all class all the time. I am glad we could clear this up and both agree that by your definition, Stevie is the #1, number 19.

Personally, I'd go with Yzerman, but that is personal preference. In reality, this is a who's better, Dimaggio or Williams type argument. I would argue this is harder than the Number 9 arguement because both guys played against each other, in the same era, and there is still a difficult decision to be made. Robinson is also an excellent choice but he may be a victim of his teams (so many great players, even compared to Sakic and Yzerman) and his position.

Geez... that's a pretty impressive list of players that wore 19. It's tough to choose between Sakic and Stevie Y... both have won Cups, both were great players, and both had a lot of class. I think Sakic showed a lot of class when he took the number 91 on the 2002 Olympic team to avoid any conflicts with Stevie Y over the number 19.

Tough choice, but ultimately my nod would go to Burnaby Joe.

I agree totally with the list of #19s. Steve and Joe are #1 and #2 as my favorite NHLers. I'm just wondering if in another 10 years the list may have to be revised to add Spezza and/or Toews to the list.

Also, to answer Curt Shmurt's question as to whether Yzerman ever handed the Cup to anyone, similar to what Sakic did, I believe Stevie passed the Cup to Konstantinov in 1998 while he was on the ice in his wheelchair. All in all, both Stevie and Joe are classy guys, and a huge plus to the NHL.

For me, cheering for the Canadiens and admiring Larry Robinson, he is THE #1 - #19. But in my generation, definitely Stevie Y. This has nothing to do with stats. Just Stevie Y's leadership, perseverance, especially when Detroit was a bad team, loyalty to Detroit, no contract disputes, etc... Sakic is awesome too and would be my #3, Burnaby Joe would have been a superstar where ever he goes. But he was fortunate enough to be part of the Lindros saga and Quebec/Colorado reaped its benefits.
They say it's all about opportunities and timing.
#1 - Big Bird, #2 - Stevie Y, #3 Burnaby Joe.

All class acts.

Class Act...Petes,Red Wings and Hall of Fame!

Yzerman and Sakic were great players but Bryan Trottier was not only a gifted point producer, but also killed penalties and had a physical presence that neither Yzerman nor Sakic was capable of.

No argument Steve Yzerman was much better.

Yzerman is that type of player that never complained about money, ice time, or national attention. The man just played the game. He played alot of games that he was not supposed to (pretty much from 94 to 06)

When he couldn't play he couldn't even walk,

O yeah, I forgot about that, good point, but I still like Joey better for a number of reasons. Still though one has to realize that athletes like them are not regular happenings and we should cherish them not only for their accomplishments on the ice but also giving back to the communities that have fostered their greatness...greatness? Sounds not right

- who can forget Joe passing the Stanley Cup to Ray Bourque when they won the cup in 2001? Nobody can top that...did Stevie ever do that? -

No, but in 1998 he passed the Cup to Vladimir Konstantinov who was in a wheel chair! Way more class.

I think both Yzerman and Sakic are class acts, and I am one of the biggest Sakic fans in the world, but I really think Yzerman gets No.1 at being No. 19. Yzerman has worn 19 in international tournaments, wheras Sakic wears 91 and refuses to wear 19 because of the respect he has for Yzerman. Both of them are amazing players and leaders, but I truly believe Yzerman has the edge over Sakic for no. 1. Joe is No. 1 in my heart, but Steve is the logical chouce for No. 1.

ALEXIE YASHIN ALL THE WAY!!! Well when he was in Ottawa anyways, I believe he changed his number when he arrived in Long Island...by the way I'm sooooooo not serious about yashin!

Even though I am a lifelong Leaf Fan I admire and enjoy wathing stevie Y and Joe Sakic However I can recall many years that The Red Wings were near the bottom of the latter and folks saying that their captain was not a real leader because he could not bring them a cup---I can't believe as a staunch Leaf Fan that I actually stuck up for a Red Wing (they were being dubbed Dead Wings then and disputed this claim Steve is #1 for sure!!

yes stevie did do something like that i can remember when he handed the cup to the guy that was in a wheelchair after being in a car accident the season before

Yzerman, class, skill, leadership, champion the stuff you build a frnchise around

Being from a city I like to refer to as Hockeytown's little brother I may be a little bias. However, from a sheer popularity stand point it has to be without question 'Stevie Y'.
Like almost no other player will fans of other teams praise Yzerman for not only his raw talents and abilities but for his nearly unmatchable level of class and heart.
Who wins a cup on one leg? Who wins a gold medal on one leg? One man. Steve Yzerman.

Neither. Robinson. Count the Stanley Cup rings. The others are great, great players in the best sense of the idea, but Robinson defined defence for a decade. Defencemen are too often overlooked.

Joe Sakic all the way! I like Steve Yzerman and all but Joe is such a classy guy...who can forget Joe passing the Stanley Cup to Ray Bourque when they won the cup in 2001? Nobody can top that...did Stevie ever do that? Right now he has one more cup that Joe but...we'll see